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Research Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NCSU

Sponsored Research Administrator

Raleigh, NC

Posting Information Posting Number PG194732EP Internal Recruitment Yes Working Title Sponsored Research Administrator Anticipated Hiring Range $65,000 - $73,525 (Commensurate with education and ...

UCLA Health

Research Administrator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$35.23 - $53.67/hr

Coordinate research activities, agency reports, special requests (i.e. re-budgeting; change of investigator effort) on behalf of Research Faculty. Manage the preparation of grant proposals and ...

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$17.5K

$82.2K

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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.
Senior Research Administrator

Senior Research Administrator

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • On-site

$9/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Northwestern University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

179th of 553 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Department: MED-Surgery
Salary/Grade: EXS/9
Target hiring range for this position will be between be is $78,482.00 - $98,102.00. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Job Summary:
Provides administrative leadership by incorporating a significant amount of experience in support of unit's research programs and mission. May provide sole support to a small to mid-sized unit, or support a portion of activities in a larger unit. Using extensive research administration experience within the same unit, coordinates all aspects of multiple grant &/or contract pre- & post-award activities. Assists in developing new funding opportunities & strategic plans regarding grants &/or contracts by providing guidance & counsel in regard to grant &/or contract administration which includes attending internal & external meetings, interpreting clauses, reviewing contracts, & resolving reporting &/or expense problems. Reviews associated policy & procedures & recommends changes to increase productivity & effectiveness.
Please note: Supervisor provides overall objectives & in consultation with EE develops deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes majority of activities without direction; consulting with supervisor only in regard to new or unusual circumstances.
EE uses judgment & an extensive amount of experience to adapt an advanced knowledge of skills, methods, practices, policies & procedures & a moderate degree of innovation, analysis, & reasoning to plan & prioritize work that is primarily project oriented & involves some extremely difficult problems &/or decisions. EE interprets policy.
  • As time and budget allows:
  • New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
  • Need more "How To:" sessions such as:
    • Fill out internal & external paperwork
    • Create & review budget
    • Review sponsor guidelines
    • Read a solicitation
  • Five University Business Processes classes (HR700, HR705, HR715, HR725, HR740)New-"Brown Bag"-Interested in becoming an RA?
  • NU-ORI-Res Dam Training session
  • SCS course: Grantsmanship for the Research Professional
  • NCURA-National Council of University Research Administrators/SRA - Society of Research Administrators International (regional or national meetings)
  • Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
  • ASRSP effort reporting 101
  • NU Financials budget reconciliation and reporting
  • Audit & Advisory best practices
Specific Responsibilities:
Complexity
  • Typically administers multiple research projects such as:
  • Complex multi-PI or multi-unit proposals, grants &/or contracts
  • Research portfolio for a more complex small to mid-sized unit
  • NIH U-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
  • NIH P-approximately $500K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
  • NIH T-approximately $100-$200K+/yr. over multiple yrs.
  • DOD and industry awards
  • Center or program grants
  • Proposals with cost sharing
  • Fixed-price contracts
  • Non-funded negotiations such as NDAs, user agreements
Pre-Award
  • Manages pre-award administration of grants and &/or contracts.
  • Coordinates proposal submission.
  • Coordinates budget and justification preparation.
  • Completes sponsor and university proposal forms.
  • Coordinates IRB and IACUC protocols; sub-recipients, facilities, administrative costs, space, and co-investigator agreements.
  • Creatively and proactively evaluates and resolves problems and makes decisions.
Post-Award
  • Coordinates post-award activities.
  • Monitors execution of all financial transactions in research portfolio.
  • Forecasts & provides information for reports on financial status of projects.
  • Manages day-to-day financial functions.
  • Verifies that protocols are linked to CUFS chart strings; labor distribution assignments.
  • Completes expenditure reviews.
  • Reconciles monthly payroll entries.
  • Verifies & processes cost share entries.
  • Prepares & submits invoices to sponsors.
  • Identifies program income issues.
  • Proposes resolutions to overdrafts.
  • Prepares interim & final financial reports.
  • Facilitates account close out activities.
  • Participates in efforts to improve research administration including serving on university committees related to research administration.
Financial
  • Oversees unit's entire sponsored project portfolio.
  • Reviews transactions and resolve issues that requires a more complex level of financial understanding such as cost-sharing &/or effort reporting knowledge.
  • Provides information to senior management that is used for department budgeting purposes.
Human Resources
  • Manages & integrates all departmental staff efforts for grant &/or contract administration.
  • Provides research administration training.
  • Develops staff.
  • Mentors other administrative staff in research administration.
  • Serves as the primary resource for research administration guidance.
Compliance
  • Ensures compliance with all appropriate NU policies & practices; local, state, federal, agency & sponsor rules, regulations & requirements regarding grant &/or contract administration.
  • Recommends changes to improve programs, policy &/or practice.
  • Resolves compliance problems & issues working in conjunction with faculty.
Supervision
  • Provides direct supervision to research support staff.
  • Assigns & reviews staff work.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
A minimum of 5 years' experience required with 2 years of research administration and 3 years of research, finance, administrative or other relevant experience.
Knowledge of National Institutes of Health, and DOD policies and procedures.
Experience with non-federal award administration (Pre-Award and Post-Award)
Experienced in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Teams).
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Organization, time management, detail oriented
Multi-tasking, communication
Self-starter, diplomatic, pro-active, manage stress
Managing people
Provide leadership by cooperatively anticipating, coordinating, strategizing
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supporting faculty in an academic medical center.
Experienced with NU systems including NU Financials, COGNOS Reports, and CERES.
CRA certified or Master's in Research Administration.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Advanced Excel skills.
Background knowledge of federal rules and regulations as they pertain to grants management.
Excellent written and oral communication
Benefits
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .

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