Research Administrative Specialist

**Department** VPRI Research Partner Network

**Salary range** $56,040.79 to $76,820.84

**Hours per week** 35

**Grade** 9

**Posted date** October 9, 2024

**Closing date** October 27, 2024

**Position Type** Full Time - Operating Funded

**Description**:
**This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).**

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

**Location** - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person at North Campus, Edmonton.

**Working for the University of Alberta**
- The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community._

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world

shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

**Working for the Department**

Research administration encompasses aspects of pre and post-award activities as well as compliance and financial responsibility for the ongoing management of and reporting requirements associated with the U of A’s role in conducting research and as holder of research funds. As the Vice-President (Research and Innovation; VPRI) portfolio and the colleges/faculties are jointly accountable for these activities it is essential to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships between the VPRI portfolio, colleges/faculties and the researchers within in support of the common goal of developing and aligning the implementation of research administrative systems, processes, policies and procedures to ensure that the policies and procedures of our external funding agencies and the University are followed.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Manager, Research Administration Support Services and as a vital member of the Research Partner Network, the Research Administration Specialist will work collaboratively with the VPRI portfolio, colleges and faculties to provide researchers and research units university-wide with tactical, targeted, hands-on end to end (pre and post-award) research administration procedure and policy related assistance and guidance, in support of the University’s overall research endeavour.

In all facets of this role, this position endeavors to integrate and advance the University’s commitments to Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and to convey respect for those undertaking the research endeavour.

**Duties**

Tactical and Administrative Support to Researchers and Departments
- Develops and maintains end-to-end expertise on research administration policies and procedures for UAlberta and external funding agencies.
- Proactively anticipates policy and procedure-related research administrative needs, designs and offers supports and resources to address the ongoing and emerging needs.
- The primary point of contact/resource for researchers, their staff, and college/faculty administrators regarding VPRI-related administrative activity (i.e. work done in Research Administrative Services, Research Ethics, etc.). Includes, but is not limited to file follow-up and/or investigating where files are at on behalf of the researchers, navigational support, providing advice and guidance on end-to-end research administration policies and processes (both the university and external funding agencies).
- Collects and curates up-to-date information for researchers re: funding opportunities, proposal preparation and submission, award set-up, budget management and reporting, and end-of-project reporting and close-out.

Problem Solving/Issue Resolver
- Acts expediently and with a service orientation to solve researchers’ administration-specific problems, drawing on a well-developed understanding of researchers’ and research units’ needs, as well as university and research sponsor (i.e. external funding agencies) policy, procedure or processes. Consults, as needed prior to responding.
- Liaises with VPRI central areas (i.e. centres of expertise), including Research Ethics and Research Administrative Services, other central units, and external funding agencies, as needed on researcher’s behalf to resolve issues.
- Helps researchers make connections with other units, including other partner networks and/or areas as appropriate and necessary; ensures they kno