Research Administrator II

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities. 

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing

The George R. Brown School of Engineering ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment.

We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community.

Position Summary:

The Department of Bioengineering seeks an experienced Research Administrator to provide comprehensive post-award support for a large and complex portfolio of grants, contracts, and special projects. This position will work directly with faculty to manage award compliance, budgets, reconciliations, projections, and financial reporting, drawing on advanced financial expertise to ensure accuracy, accountability, and strong stewardship of research funds. The Research Administrator will serve as a key advisor and liaison among faculty, central administration, and external sponsors on complex, multi-investigator, or center-level awards. In this critical role, the administrator will help strengthen Bioengineering’s research infrastructure while collaborating closely with the Executive Department Business Administrator and Finance and Business Manager to advance the department’s strategic and operational goals.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The Department of Bioengineering seeks an experienced Research Administrator to provide comprehensive post-award support for a large and complex portfolio of grants, contracts, and special projects. This position will work directly with faculty to manage award compliance, budgets, reconciliations, projections, and financial reporting, drawing on advanced financial expertise to ensure accuracy, accountability, and strong stewardship of research funds. The Research Administrator will serve as a key advisor and liaison among faculty, central administration, and external sponsors on complex, multi-investigator, or center-level awards. In this critical role, the administrator will help strengthen Bioengineering’s research infrastructure while collaborating closely with the Executive Department Business Administrator and Finance and Business Manager to advance the department’s strategic and operational goals.

Workplace Requirements:  The position entails work on Rice University’s campus, with the potential for some remote work/flexible work arrangements. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $64,000 - $69,900

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis. 
• Two or more (2+) years of experience in research administration, financial reporting, or financial analysis, including at least 1 year focused specifically on post-award administration

Skills: 

• Advanced knowledge of post-award research administration, including budget management, financial reporting, reconciliations, forecasting, compliance monitoring, and close-outs.
• Strong working knowledge of federal regulations and sponsor requirements (e.g., Uniform Guidance, NIH, NSF, DOD/DARPA, DOE/ARPA-H, CPRIT).
• Proficiency with Oracle-based ERP systems (or similar business platforms), Excel, and financial reporting tools; comfort using virtual collaboration platforms such as Zoom.
• Ability to interpret and present complex financial data clearly to faculty, administrators, and external sponsors.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Advanced professional communication skills, with the ability to advise faculty, collaborate across departments, and liaise with external funders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to financial and administrative challenges.
• Capacity to develop and improve processes to increase efficiency and strengthen internal controls.

Preferences:

• Experience managing STEM-related research grants and faculty funding, with familiarity in the financial reporting needs of Engineering disciplines.
• Prior experience with Rice University systems and processes (or comparable higher education research administration systems).
• Experience managing grants and contracts with major federal/state agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, DOD/DARPA, DOE/ARPA-H, CPRIT).
• Familiarity with pre-award processes to provide occasional support as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Manage post-award administration for a large and complex portfolio of grants, contracts, and special projects, ensuring compliance with university policies and sponsor requirements.
• Perform advanced financial functions, including reconciliations, forecasting, variance analyses, compliance monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Advise and partner with faculty on financial stewardship of awards, allowable costs, effort reporting, and sponsor compliance.
• Serve as a key liaison among faculty, central administration, and external sponsors on complex, multi-investigator, or center-level awards, providing accurate and timely guidance on financial and administrative matters.
• Ensure subawards, cost-sharing commitments, and project budgets align with institutional and sponsor guidelines, and resolve discrepancies proactively.
• Develop, refine, and implement departmental processes to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and support long-term research administration infrastructure.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and school-wide financial and research administration operations.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.