Research Support Specialist

Summary:
The Research Specialist, Compliance provides specialized, compliance-focused pre- and post-award research administration across the full research lifecycle. The role ensures institutional accountability, regulatory alignment, and consistent application of compliance standards across all USask research portfolios. Responsibilities include interpreting complex agency and institutional policies, administering eligibility determinations, conducting detailed compliance and administrative reviews of submissions, coordinating routing and institutional approvals, supporting post-award administrative actions, and serving as an institutional liaison with funders, internal units, and researchers.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Compliance and Eligibility Review

• Interpret and apply Tri‑Agency, federal, provincial, international, and sponsor‑specific guidelines.
• Assess PI, trainee, and institutional eligibility and identify inconsistencies or risks.
• Conduct detailed administrative reviews of proposals to verify completeness, formatting, required documents, and adherence to sponsor requirements.
• Review alignment with regulatory requirements (ethics, animal care, biohazard, research security, RDM, privacy/GDPR considerations, etc.).
• Investigate and resolve ambiguous or conflicting eligibility and guideline issues.
• Escalate complex or high‑risk cases to relevant RASI units or leadership with clear recommendations.

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2. Pre‑Award Coordination

• Guide researchers and research facilitators on administrative requirements, procedural expectations, and sponsor rules.
• Coordinate and monitor UnivRS routing for departmental, college, and institutional approvals.
• Conduct administrative and compliance reviews of budgets, allowable costs, indirect costs, internal commitments, and justification statements.
• Confirm adherence to internal and external deadlines and track application status through sponsor portals.
• Troubleshoot issues in UnivRS and funder systems; coordinate resolutions with ICT or agencies as needed.

Post‑Award Support

• Review award notices, terms, and amendments for administrative accuracy and compliance implications.
• Coordinate routing of award acceptance documentation through UnivRS.
• Assist with amendments, extensions, and early release requests within approved parameters.
• Confirm ongoing PI eligibility to hold and administer funds.
• Coordinate with Post‑Award Specialists and Research Accounting when compliance, eligibility, or administrative issues arise post‑award.
• Ensure documentation is audit‑ready and retained in accordance with institutional and sponsor requirements.

Research Administration Systems and Digital Workflows

• Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready digital records in UnivRS and related systems.
• Ensure compliance information, documents, and approvals are properly logged and accessible for institutional reporting.
• Troubleshoot sponsor portal issues and collaborate on workflow optimization.
• Support development of SOPs, templates, checklists, and internal guides to enhance standardization.

Stakeholder Support AND Collaboration

• Provide timely, professional guidance to researchers, research facilitators, trainees, and administrators.
• Collaborate with RASI units and central offices to ensure consistent decisions and coordinated support.
• Communicate process expectations, requirements, and deadlines clearly and diplomatically.

Continuous Improvement and Capacity Building

• Identify workflow issues, recurring compliance risks, and systemic challenges.
• Contribute to process improvements, digital tool enhancements, and documentation updates.
• Participate in professional development and cross‑unit learning initiatives.
• Share best practices to build institutional capacity in research administration.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree required, graduate degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in research administration, grant management, compliance review, or related policy interpretation and analytical decision making

The University of Saskatchewan recognizes alternate career paths; therefore, a combination of education and experience may be considered.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Olga Baron at . 

Department: Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
(RASI)
Supervisor Job Title: Associate Director, RASI
Status: Permanent

Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69, ,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 11/28/2025

Closing Date: 12/11/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.