UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Institute of Materials Science (IMS) seeks applicants for a full-time position as a Grants and Contracts Specialist to join IMS’s professional staff team. The Institute of Materials Science is an interdisciplinary institute with a threefold mission fostering education, research, and outreach in all areas of the materials sciences. The Institute’s research environment is fast-paced, with a large and diverse portfolio of sponsored awards. Under the direction of Institute leadership, the incumbent will provide dedicated post-award research administration support to our interdisciplinary faculty members, maintaining financial records for the Institute’s sponsored award accounts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintains detailed knowledge of each sponsored project and offers full assistance for all matters of post-award management throughout each stage of the award lifecycle.
2. Meets with faculty investigators and research teams to explain services and procedures, communicates financial information, and assists with account planning as needed.
3. Provides technical assistance, training, and advice to research stakeholders contributing to administrative activities for management of the Institute’s sponsored awards.
4. Reviews fiscal aspects of grant awards to ensure fiscal compliance with federal and state statutes, University policy, and sponsor agency guidelines and requirements as pertained to allowable costs.
5. Routinely reviews fiscal and transactional aspects of each project account to ensure fund use is compliant with funding agency guidelines and award specifications (including matters of personnel, travel, equipment, matching funds, other direct costs, project-specific budget lines, etc.).
6. Processes no-cost extensions, re-budgets, and cost transfers on grant and contract accounts, and will also interpret and review effort reporting details related to faculty commitments.
7. Communicates financial information regarding grant accounts to faculty members, including new awards, remaining balances, anticipated payroll expenses, sub-recipient invoices, forecasts, and projections.
8. Reviews personnel commitments for both paid and unpaid effort, ensuring data is correctly certified within the University’s Effort Reporting System.
9. Serves as liaison between University administration, faculty, and granting agencies.
10. Recommends solutions and negotiates changes when conflicts arise with contract provisions or grant requirements.
11. Upholds routine internal controls, in accordance with unit and University expectations.
12. Generates financial and personnel reports provided to faculty and administrative staff/managers for grant and contract accounts.
13. Works independently to analyze available information, draw conclusions and understandings, and present such conclusions effectively to investigators and management stakeholders.
14. Complies with federal, state, sponsor, and University standards and regulations for all aspects of sponsored project management.
15. Corresponds with administrators from other units, institutions, and sponsor contacts.
16. Works on related special projects as directed by the IMS Finance Director.
17. Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field and four years of related experience OR Master's degree and two years of related experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and software applications.
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Effective and clear written and verbal communication.
• Clear understanding of detailed grant program guidelines, policies, and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse student, administrative, and faculty populations.
• Experience working on large/complex projects with competing deadlines.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulatory requirements, and University policies governing the planning, application development, and management of research grants and contracts.
• Ability to collaborate with professional staff members within other University units and at other higher educational workplaces to ensure best practices are established.
• Experience working with UConn electronic systems (KFS, Webfocus, InfoEd, HuskyBuy, CoreCT).

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time position. The University offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. This position could potentially have a hybrid work schedule, subject to authorization and University Policy.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498376 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Screening will begin immediately, and the search will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Priority will be given to applications received by May 26, 2024.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.