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Research Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UMass Amherst

Research Administrator

Amherst, MA · On-site

Research Administrator Executive Area: Academic Affairs College/School/MBU: Engineering Department: Dean - Engineering Work Location: Amherst Schedule: Full Time Work Arrangement: Hybrid Job Summary ...

UCLA Health

Research Administrator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70K - $145K/yr

You will be part of a collaborative support model that includes partnership with a Senior Research Administrator, providing shared expertise and coordinated portfolio management for each PI. . Annual ...

UMass Amherst

Research Administrator

Amherst, MA · On-site

Research Administrator Executive Area: Academic Affairs College/School/MBU: Engineering Department: Dean - Engineering Work Location: Amherst Schedule: Full Time Work Arrangement: Hybrid Job Summary ...

University of Toledo

Research Administrator Department Org: Research & Sponsored Programs - 107920 Employee Classification: U1 - Unclassified PSA FT Bargaining Unit: Professional Staff Association Primary Location: MC AC ...

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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 Jul 14, 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 does a research administrator do?

A research administrator manages the administrative aspects of research projects, including budgeting, compliance, grant applications, and reporting. They coordinate between researchers, funding agencies, and institutional departments to ensure projects run smoothly and meet regulatory requirements.

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 highest paying administrative job?

Research administrators in senior or executive roles, such as Director of Research Administration or Chief Research Officer, tend to have the highest salaries among administrative jobs. These positions often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong management skills, with salaries reaching six figures depending on the organization and industry.

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.

How much does a research administrator make?

The average salary for a research administrator is approximately $60,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and the organization. Salaries can vary based on the complexity of research projects and the size of the institution, with some roles offering additional benefits such as professional development opportunities.

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.
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Research Administrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Administrator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,164 per year, or $39.5 per hour.
Research Administrator

Research Administrator

The Public Interest Network

Denver, CO • On-site

$40K - $42K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Research Administrator
Department: Executive Office
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Denver, CO
Compensation: $40,250 - $42,750 / year
Description
The Public Interest Network is hiring a Research Administrator who will work closely with leadership staff to develop our in-house "think tank," which is dedicated to re-orienting America's political and cultural conversation.
According to a 2020 study in Nature, the combined mass of man-made things now outweighs all life on Earth. We already produce more food than we can eat and more clothes than we can wear. And our continued pursuit of limitless economic growth and job creation has profound consequences, amongst them: the pollution of our environment, the use of toxic chemicals in products - even toys - on store shelves, and a fanatical commitment to keeping people in jobs even if those jobs are dangerous or soul-crushing or unnecessary.
It's time to change our thinking and ask big questions, like:
  • Why do we still treat economic growth as synonymous with progress, even as its costs overwhelm its benefits?
  • What if the real challenge of automation is not job loss, but our inability to imagine a good life beyond traditional employment?

Key Responsibilities
The administrator will provide critical support to the development of the think tank project. This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
  • Procuring, organizing, and archiving useful resources for research projects.
  • Keeping track of various think tank projects, and providing regular updates to leadership.
  • Building our list of potential contacts and collaborators, like-minded organizations, and relevant conferences.
  • Exploring potential funding opportunities and presenting findings to leadership staff.
  • Coordinating weekly team calls and ad hoc meetings and retreats.
  • Maintaining the team's budget and processing expenses.
  • Potential additional projects such as helping to create and curate a monthly publication or managing an intern program.
  • Working with other departments and teams in The Public Interest Network as needed to provide organizational support.

Qualifications
  • You're interested in solving big problems. You have a strong affinity for our vision of a new politics that faces today's challenges head on.
  • You're proactive. When you see a problem to solve or something to be done, you do it.
  • You're smart, detail-oriented, and organized. You can manage multiple projects and you thrive when under a deadline.
  • You're open-minded. You can get your head around complex issues, are willing to have open dialogue about problems, and are okay working with people whose viewpoints may differ.
  • You're accountable. You respect goals and deadlines.
  • You're ready to put in the hard work to start from scratch with just an idea and help turn it into a lasting institution.

Ideal candidates will have 1-3 years of experience, but entry-level candidates with a passion for our issues, mission, and values are encouraged to apply.
Details
Compensation and Benefits
The starting target annual compensation for this position is $40,250-$42,750. The Public Interest Network offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, time off, a commuter benefit program, a 401(k) plan with employer match, parental leave, long term disability insurance, and may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.
Location
Denver, CO
Why work with The Public Interest Network? Check out ten reasons: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/why-work-with-us/.
Our Mission and Values
The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values for things you should know about our network when you apply. Within the first document you will find a link to a second; please read both carefully.
Please do not use AI to help draft your cover letter or responses to our application questions. We want to know how you think and write.
Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.

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