Sponsored Research Officer – Subcontracts

at  Northwestern University

This position evaluates requests for and creates all sub-awards subject to the research terms and conditions, and other federal regulations and non-federal sponsored terms including complex contractual flow through terms. Writes and negotiates sub-awards, including those resulting from the most non-standard awards with complex contractual flow thru terms. Manages a larger and more complex constituency.
The position provides consultation as it relates to subcontracts included in the submission of University wide sponsored research grant proposals for standard and routine activity such as sponsored basic research grants, and provides subcontracts related consultation for resulting awards. Exercises delegated signature authority.
Northwestern Sponsored Research is committed to being BRAVE (Battling Racism And Valuing Equity). Through deliberate words and actions, we endeavor to confirm to our colleagues that we see them and acknowledge their humanity and value.
The Sponsored Research Officer will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.
Please note:
Supervisor provides overall objectives and in consultation with the Sponsored Research Officer develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives and deadlines and overall compliance with policies and procedures. Sponsored Research Officer completes majority of activities without direction; consults with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.
Uses judgment and an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies and procedures and a moderate degree of innovation, analysis and reasoning to plan and prioritize work that involves some extremely difficult problems and/or decisions. Interprets policy.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Writes and negotiates all but the most complex sub-awards such as, those resulting from the most non-standard awards (e.g.NIH and other federal contracts, state of Illinois contracts) taking into consideration Principal Investigator’s (PI) needs and proactively identifying any special considerations. Identifies high risk sub-recipients and crafts agreements that will provide opportunities for appropriate control and monitoring. Reviews incoming award terms, flags and addresses unusual circumstances internally and externally, maintaining fair but firm positions to obtain optimum conditions for University & PI. Negotiates sub-award agreements for University endorsement.
• Exercises delegated signature authority for sub-award agreements issued by sub-contracts team members.
• Serves as a subject matter expert trainer. Represents Office of Sponsored Research OSR in intra- and inter university meetings. Assumes full level of contact with faculty.
• Handles complex issues within the university and with sub-recipients, including resolving complex compliance problems and issues associated University policies and practices regarding sub-contracting.
• Expert knowledge of federal regulations related to research administration, provides consultation on subcontracts related matters to ensure all University and sponsor requirements have been met prior to University’s endorsement and submission of proposals and acceptance of awards, including consulting on account establishment and post award administration.
• Leads and initiates communication with PI, other unit and project personnel, other OSR staff, ASRSP, and/or sponsor on sub-contract related matters.
• Leads and initiates the development, organization and maintenance of standard operating procedures, checklists and various subcontract tools; Provides internal and external training and outreach, education and record retention function, particularly relative to subcontracting; oversees and consults on re-budgeting of subcontract funds allocation in University financial enterprise system, including the tracking of formal re-budgeting; monitors projects for under and over spending; participates in account close-out activities

Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 3-5 yrs progressive responsible experience in the administration of sponsored research at an educational institution, in the federal government or at some other entity engaged in sponsored research
• Expert level of knowledge of:
• Federal regulations related to research administration, including OMB A-21, OMB A-110, RTC terms and conditions
• Other major federal funding agency guidelines
• Major sponsor electronic systems such as Grants.gov, Commons, & FastLane
• U.S. Patent Law, the Bayh-Dole Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations & related supplements
• Recent OIG audit findings and agency audit work plans

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expert level of knowledge of Federal regulations related to research administration, including Uniform Guidance
  Target hiring range for this position will be between $94,000-$100,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

• Writes and negotiates all but the most complex sub-awards such as, those resulting from the most non-standard awards (e.g.NIH and other federal contracts, state of Illinois contracts) taking into consideration Principal Investigator’s (PI) needs and proactively identifying any special considerations. Identifies high risk sub-recipients and crafts agreements that will provide opportunities for appropriate control and monitoring. Reviews incoming award terms, flags and addresses unusual circumstances internally and externally, maintaining fair but firm positions to obtain optimum conditions for University & PI. Negotiates sub-award agreements for University endorsement.
• Exercises delegated signature authority for sub-award agreements issued by sub-contracts team members.
• Serves as a subject matter expert trainer. Represents Office of Sponsored Research OSR in intra- and inter university meetings. Assumes full level of contact with faculty.
• Handles complex issues within the university and with sub-recipients, including resolving complex compliance problems and issues associated University policies and practices regarding sub-contracting.
• Expert knowledge of federal regulations related to research administration, provides consultation on subcontracts related matters to ensure all University and sponsor requirements have been met prior to University’s endorsement and submission of proposals and acceptance of awards, including consulting on account establishment and post award administration.
• Leads and initiates communication with PI, other unit and project personnel, other OSR staff, ASRSP, and/or sponsor on sub-contract related matters.
• Leads and initiates the development, organization and maintenance of standard operating procedures, checklists and various subcontract tools; Provides internal and external training and outreach, education and record retention function, particularly relative to subcontracting; oversees and consults on re-budgeting of subcontract funds allocation in University financial enterprise system, including the tracking of formal re-budgeting; monitors projects for under and over spending; participates in account close-out activitie