POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Coordinator, Research Administration
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1068
GRADE 45
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Office of Research Administration
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Vice President for Research and Economic Development and International Programs
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Coordinator, Research Administration assists the Director of Research Administration to increase external funding, particularly government grant funding, by being aware of and communicating funding opportunities to faculty, stimulating and working with faculty to develop competitive proposals, working closely with academic administrators to identify targets of opportunity and to organize and working with faculty to develop proposals that respond to these opportunities, and developing and conducting training programs in grant preparation for faculty. The Coordinator, Research Administration participates in collaborative relationships with other universities and local economic development organizations to promote increased funding for research and training from which Missouri State University might benefit.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A high school diploma is required; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least five years of professional experience in the administration of externally-funded sponsored research and associated funding agencies are required. Five years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience is preferred. A record of significant leadership experience in research and administrative operations is preferred. A successful record of obtaining government grants in an academic setting, particularly in collaboration with faculty groups, is preferred. Experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with government funding agencies is preferred.
Skills: Evidence of strong writing and editorial skills and excellent interpersonal skills are required. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse disciplines and at varying organizational levels, including the ability to promote a working environment that builds collaborations, encourages interdisciplinary teamwork is required. Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet applications is required. Experience using a pre- and post-award grants management system is preferred. The ability to lead a research administration office, establish strategic priorities, and advocate effectively for internal and external support of research, scholarship and creative activity to advance the mission of the University is preferred. Familiarity with research environments and infrastructure, patenting and licensing, current federal and state research compliance regulations, policies, and practices, federal and state funding opportunities and trends, national and international research organizations, faculty fellowship programs, and institutional partnerships and research collaborations, is preferred.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides service to the faculty by facilitating their efforts to pursue scholarly activities, professional development, creative endeavors, training programs, equipment acquisition, and community service through the acquisition of extramural funding.
2. Assists the Director in promoting externally sponsored instructional, research and public service programs by disseminating information on funding sources to faculty, including publishing a newsletter and conducting periodic grant information workshops.
3. Provides pre-award administrative assistance to faculty applying to external agencies for project funding by reviewing proposals, assisting in the development of proposal budgets, critiquing proposals, ascertaining that required certifications and institutional assurances and endorsements are prepared for signature by an authorized institutional representative, obtaining the approval of appropriate University administrators, providing the required number of copies for the sponsoring agency, forwarding the proposal with a transmittal letter and other pertinent information, as required, to the sponsor.
4. Assists the Director of Research Administration in evaluating adherence to University, sponsor, federal, and state laws, regulations, and policies governing funded projects by reviewing all proposals, contracts and other agreements, submitted to external agencies by faculty and staff.
5. Assists faculty in locating potential funding opportunities by researching publications and electronic databases, and disseminating information on funding sources to faculty and staff.
6. Assists in coordination of post-award processes by working with University administration, faculty, staff and funding agencies.
7. Oversees the management of the electronic grants management system.
8. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Director of Research Administration.
9. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Research Administration by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Coordinator, Research Administration is supervised by the Director of Research Administration and supervises full-time professional staff and graduate assistants.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2025