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Associate Director of Research Administration
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY, USA
Posted on Dec 17, 2024
The Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) seeks an Associate Director to oversee research administration, strategic funding submissions, and complex sponsored funding applications. The position reports to the Director of CCAPS and serves on an interdisciplinary team of over 120 faculty, staff, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students.
Your Mission
As the Associate Director of Research Administration, you will identify and advance strategic funding opportunities, work with principal investigators and interdisciplinary research teams from ideation through award, implement research-related policies, and manage reporting for sponsored funds and contracts, including subawards. A key focus of your role will involve facilitating and managing complex pre-award grant and contract applications, including awards involving faculty from multiple units and universities.
With significant autonomy, you will manage and shepherd a large portfolio through ideation through submission. To date in 2024, CCAPS researchers have submitted 200 funding proposals. These proposals can range in scale from research grants less than $100,000 to spacecraft mission proposals over $1 billion.
You will bring to the role your expertise in the research funding landscape, effective communications and negotiations skills, and demonstrated success in advanced contract management. As a senior contributor and university leader, you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate challenges at work and in life, because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.
Responsibilities will include:
Working with center and department leadership to identify areas of research priority and potential funding opportunities.
Working with principal investigators to translate research ideas and concepts into specific proposals for external funding.
Collaborating with principal investigators on proposal development plans, identifying experts, developing budgets, and compiling necessary data.
Reviewing complex international collaboration and contributor agreements and memoranda.
Consulting and coordinating with Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of General Counsel, and Office of Research Integrity & Assurance on the development and execution of complex agreements.
Developing and managing annual and quarterly reporting on sponsored projects and subcontracts.
Developing long-range forecasts and financial projections related to research funding and allocation of resources.
Monitoring agency requirements and staying abreast of funding initiatives and trends.
Proactively disseminating information and resources to principal investigators and advising researchers and leaders on requirements and reporting obligations.
What We Need
Send us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. Note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:
Bachelor’s degree and 7-10 years of experience with sponsored research funding, including pre-award responsibilities for substantial, complex grants and contracts.
Demonstrated success in managing pre- and post-award processes and knowledge of grants administration policies, procedures, and federal regulations.
Proven success in managing relationships between sponsors, investigators, and the research organization.
Demonstration of well-developed, creative negotiating skills.
Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Demonstrated integrity and sound judgment, representing the organization professionally and ethically with tact and diplomacy.
Experience in financial management and strategic planning.
Ability to use data and analytical approaches to solve problems and make decisions.
Ability to express thoughts, ideas, and perspectives clearly and coherently and to listen actively to others.
Additionally, we would like to see evidence of:
Advanced graduate or professional degree.
Experience in related fields of science, engineering, or technology or a strong interest and knowledge in these areas.
Join Our Journey
The Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) is a multidisciplinary research center that fosters cooperative research among astronomers, engineers, geologists, and other researchers with specialties relevant to the space sciences. CCAPS is connected to and contained within the Department of Astronomy. The key research themes within CCAPS are Solar System Exploration, Exoplanetary Science, Cosmic Origins & Evolution, and Extreme Astrophysics. Since its inception, CCAPS has been the home of several large-scale NASA missions and instruments, and its researchers have historically had roles in most major planetary and astrophysical missions and collaborations. Together the Department of Astronomy and CCAPS represent one of the world’s leading institutes for space science with over 110 active researchers. Graduate students, early career researchers, and undergraduates are actively engaged in current NASA missions, NSF consortia, and CCAT-Prime/FYST.
CCAPS is part of the Physical Systems Cluster of Cornell Research & Innovation that encompasses facilities, laboratories, institutes, and centers for interdisciplinary research pertaining to the study of physical objects and physical relationships. Cornell Research & Innovation is committed to the goal of inclusive excellence. Administrators, faculty, and staff are expected to contribute actively to fostering an academic workplace climate that is welcoming, supportive and creates a sense of belonging for all.
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University Job Title:
Research Administration DirectorJob Family:
AdministrationLevel:
HPay Rate Type:
SalaryPay Range:
$122,681.00 - $149,944.00Remote Option Availability:
HybridCompany:
EndowedContact Name:
Kathy McKeeJob Titles and Pay Ranges:
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Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
Unique applicable skills
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2024-12-16