Associate Research Administrator

The Viterbi School of Engineering seeks to hire multiple Associate Research Administrators to join departmental research administration teams. We encourage detail-oriented candidates with strong budget and project management skills – as well as impeccable interpersonal skills – to apply. While candidates with specific experience in research administration in the university setting are preferred, candidates with limited or no direct research administration experience may be considered.

The field of research administration encompasses everything and anything related to sponsored research. Our Research Administrators work in close partnership with Viterbi faculty, staff, and students to support all elements of Viterbi’s research mission. These positions are responsible for managing grant and contract-funded budgets and accounts; supporting faculty members in preparing grant proposals for submissions to sponsoring agencies (usually large government agencies); generating financial reports and forecasts for these sponsored projects; and supporting research operations by managing grant-funded purchases and supporting payroll operations for grant-funded researchers and staff.

The core job duties include:

• Research Proposals/Grant Solicitation: Support assigned faculty with the submission of proposals to sponsoring agencies. Prepare budgets and gather data necessary to submit proposals in accordance with agency and university guidelines.

• Account Management: Manage budgets and all account activity for sponsored projects. Manage expenses and procurements and reconcile account activity on a monthly basis.

• Reporting: Reconcile and generate monthly financial reports. Provide faculty with account summaries and projection reports on regular (monthly) and as-needed basis. Conduct forecasts/projections to ensure that original scopes of work are satisfied for funded projects. Prepare financial and/or progress reports requested by agencies for award continuation and/or final reports.

• Payroll: Support grant-funded payroll operations for research staff, faculty, research assistants, student workers, and visiting scholars in collaboration with the central Viterbi HR/Payroll team. Prepare and process hiring paperwork; assist with immigration visa processing when appropriate; certify faculty effort funded by grants.

• Compliance: Support all elements of institutional compliance to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed across all areas of research administration.

• Administration: Liaise with faculty, the Viterbi Research Administration department, and USC’s Department of Contracts and Grants to further all elements of research operations. Provide other administrative support as needed.

The USC Viterbi School is committed to increasing diversity of its staff and welcomes applications from women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Required Applicant Documents: (1) Resume/CV AND (2) Cover Letter. Please upload your resume + cover letter as a single PDF document in your application.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with three years of account and budget experience, including knowledge of government and fund accounting and knowledge of university financial systems. Combined experience/education may be a substitute for minimum education.

• Strong computer skills using MS Office Suite, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Excellent project management skills. Ability to prioritize, organize, analyze and work independently in a fast paced work environment.

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
3 years
Minimum Field of Expertise:
Basic knowledge of governmental regulations. Strong accounting skills. Competency in
project management. A Bachelor’s Degree with broad knowledge of relevant research
computer software, e.g.: Microsoft Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Outlook, SPSS,
Visio, and SunGard. Experience in creating and analyzing statistical reports. Must be able
to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records and generate reports.
Proven oral and written communication skills to interact with other employees.

USC is a smoke-free environment

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Plan
• Pay Transparency Non-Discrimination
• USC is an E-Verify Employer
• Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$112590.htmld