Pre-Award Administrator

About this role

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Department: The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Mississippi is seeking a collaborative and highly organized Research Administrator II to support the College’s growing portfolio of externally sponsored research, with a particular focus on our STEM disciplines. CLA is bucking national and institutional trends, with continued growth in both the number of awards and total funded research dollars compared with previous fiscal years. This position will play an important role in sustaining that momentum and strengthening the research infrastructure that supports our faculty. Working within CLA’s Research and Graduate Education team, the Research Administrator II will serve as a key partner to faculty and departmental leadership, providing comprehensive pre-award support and helping investigators navigate the policies, processes, and systems required to develop and submit competitive proposals. The position will work closely with faculty, department administrators, central research administration, and other university partners to facilitate proposal development, budget preparation, submission, and award transitions. This role is particularly well suited for an experienced research administrator who enjoys working in a collaborative, service-oriented environment and wants to become a trusted resource for STEM researchers. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to translate complex sponsor and institutional requirements into clear, practical guidance for faculty and staff. The Research Administrator II will join a growing research administration team at an exciting point in CLA’s research trajectory. By providing responsive, high-quality support to investigators and departments, this position will help faculty pursue new funding opportunities, develop increasingly competitive proposals, and continue CLA’s momentum as a leading research enterprise within an R1 institution.

Job Summary:

Supports pre-award activities for an assigned portfolio of grants and contracts within a unit (school, department, or division). Job Description:

• Performs pre-award activities for a unit (school, department, or division).

• Assists departmental faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of grants and contract proposals.

• Provides an initial review of basic sub-contracts and sub-awards.

• Manages pre-award administration of sponsored research activities among our 4 stem units: Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy

• Develops grant proposals and budgets while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and University guidelines and regulations.

• Creates and prepares monthly grants and contracts reports.

• Provides critical analyses and resolutions regarding large, complex budgets and multidisciplinary proposals with limited support.

• Advises the Pl on proposal submissions, budget adjustments, and revisions required to meet the sponsor requirements.

• Reviews budgets for accuracy and verifies financial requirements have been met.

• Coordinates and reviews proposal elements (bio sketches, current & pending support, facilities & resources, etc.) for consistency, accuracy, and completeness.

• Manages routing and submission process and communication concerning grant proposals, contracts , and awards.

• Works effectively with other offices (central, school, departments, divisions) on research proposals and

• award management.

• Assists Pl with navigating search tools and communicates funding opportunities, proposals and awards.

• Serves as a liaison between departmental, faculty, and external agents to ensure success of proposal submission.

• Supports data management and accuracy for pre-award activities.

• Performs similar or related duties as assigned or required.

Please submit your CV and cover letter for consideration. Cover letters should address applicant's desire to work within the College of Liberal Arts, specifically with our STEM units.

Review of applications will begin October 1st until the position is filled. We anticipate first round interviews taking place the week of October 12th, with an anticipated start date by the end of October.

Job Responsibilities:

The College of Liberal Arts

Education Qualifications:

Bachelor's (Required) Experience:

Relevant experience | 3 Years | Required Compensation:

$56,763.20 - $85,134.40 Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

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