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Research Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Research Administrator information

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$17.5K

$82.2K

$154.5K

How much do research administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for research administrator in the United States is $82,164.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,500.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Research Administrator?

A research administrator supports the research departments of an educational institution, corporation, government agency, or non-profit organization. Job duties include finding funding sources, preparing grant applications and fund requests, reviewing submissions and survey results to determine which research deserves funding, and allocating budgetary resources. The qualifications for a career as a research administrator are a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field, prior research experience, good organization and decision-making abilities, and strong writing skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Administrator, you need a solid understanding of grant management, research compliance, and budgeting, often supported by a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with grant management systems, electronic research administration tools, and certifications like the CRA (Certified Research Administrator) are highly valuable. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enable successful coordination among researchers, sponsors, and institutional stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring regulatory compliance, efficient funding processes, and the overall success of research initiatives.

What is the difference between Research Administrator vs Research Coordinator?

AspectResearch AdministratorResearch Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree often required; certifications like CRA or CCRP beneficialBachelor's degree typically required; certifications less common
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, administrative tasks, compliance oversightClinical or laboratory settings, direct project management
Employer & IndustryUniversities, research institutes, hospitalsResearch sites, hospitals, academic institutions
Primary FocusManaging research administration, budgets, complianceOverseeing daily research activities, participant coordination

Research Administrators focus on managing research programs, budgets, and compliance, often working in administrative offices. Research Coordinators handle the day-to-day operations of research projects, including participant recruitment and data collection. Both roles are essential in research settings but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by Research Administrators in managing multiple grant projects simultaneously?

Research Administrators often juggle several grant projects at once, which requires strong organizational and time management skills. A common challenge is ensuring that all deadlines for proposals, reporting, and compliance are met, often in the face of shifting priorities and evolving sponsor requirements. Effective communication and collaboration with principal investigators, finance teams, and compliance departments are crucial to staying on top of these responsibilities. Developing efficient tracking systems and proactively addressing potential issues can help mitigate stress and ensure successful project outcomes.

What are Research Administrators?

Research Administrators are professionals who manage the administrative aspects of research projects within organizations such as universities, hospitals, or research institutes. They handle tasks like grant application submission, compliance with regulations, budgeting, and reporting. Their work ensures that research projects run smoothly, meet funding requirements, and adhere to institutional and legal guidelines. Research Administrators also act as liaisons between researchers, funding bodies, and institutional offices, making them essential to the success of research endeavors.
What cities are hiring for Research Administrator jobs? Cities with the most Research Administrator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Administrator jobs? The most popular types of Research Administrator jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Research Administrator jobs? The top employers for Research Administrator jobs are:
What states have the most Research Administrator jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Administrator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Research Administrator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,164 per year, or $39.5 per hour.
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR, Epidemiology

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR, Epidemiology

Boston University

Boston, MA

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Boston University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

173rd of 534 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Research Administrator will be responsible for the full lifecycle of research administration in the Department of Epidemiology, including pre- and post-award functions for all Department grants and contracts. In this role, the incumbent will oversee the development and submission of grant applications with Department faculty and will be responsible for developing and maintaining a database of grant awards and monthly financial reporting for all funded projects. Additionally, the Research Administrator will oversee department payroll transactions, advance accounts and discretionary spending.


Required Skills
  • Bachelors degree with 3-5 years of experience.
  • Strong analytical ability as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.
  •  Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of MS Office (Word and Excel primarily).
  • Ability to handle highly confidential information with appropriate discretion and sensitivity. 
  • Must be committed to providing the highest level of customer service and responsiveness.
  •  Demonstrated experience working in a high volume, deadline-oriented customer focused environment.
  • Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 


Required Experience

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About Boston University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society. We remain dedicated to our founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity, in its tradition and standards of excellence, and in its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world. Boston University comprises a remarkable range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences. With the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees, the University, through our faculty, continually innovates in education and research to ensure that we meet the needs of students and an ever-changing world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1839

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