Research Administration Specialist - School of Social Work

School of Social Work

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Located in Urbana, IL

Job Summary

Provide research administration and strategic support to the School of Social Work (SSW), including its affiliated research centers. Working closely with the Associate Dean for Research, contribute to the operations of the Research Office by supporting faculty with human subjects protocols and Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions, clinical trial development and reporting, identification of external funding opportunities. Collaborate with the SSW Sponsored Programs Team on grant proposal development and oversee the planning and implementation of research trainings, speaker series, and other scholarly initiatives that advance the School's research mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

Proposal Development and Grant Support

• Advance the School's research portfolio by supporting faculty in identifying funding opportunities, developing competitive proposals, and fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations.
• Identify and disseminate external and internal funding opportunities to faculty and research staff within the School of Social Work (SSW).
• Monitor and communicate campus funding programs, including seed grants and interdisciplinary initiatives (e.g., Jump ARCHES, CSBS seed funding, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research programs), and assist faculty in preparing internal funding applications.
• Collaborate with faculty investigators and the SSW Sponsored Programs team to support development and submission of external grant proposals, including:

1. Develop and monitor proposal preparation timelines and coordinating communication among investigators, research staff, and administrative partners to ensure timely submission.
2. Providing editorial and technical support for proposal components, including literature summaries, background sections, and supporting materials. Compiling and organizing required proposal documentation.
3. Facilitate interdisciplinary research collaboration by identifying relevant experts across campus and external networks and connecting faculty with potential partners to support research initiatives and proposal development.

Research Compliance and Operations

• Support regulatory compliance and research administration processes that enable faculty to conduct funded research in accordance with sponsor and institutional requirements.
• Support IRB regulatory compliance by assisting faculty with interpretation of approved protocols, preparation of regulatory submissions and amendments, and maintenance of study documentation in accordance with institutional and federal requirements.
• Maintain research reporting and compliance systems, including SciENcv and My Bibliography, and assist faculty with submission of publications to the NCBI/National Library of Medicine.
• Monitor compliance with sponsor and federal clinical trial reporting requirements and assist faculty with required documentation and submissions.
• Track required research certifications and system access for research personnel and external collaborators (e.g., CITI training, NetID access) to ensure compliance with institutional policies.
• Support implementation of faculty research projects by maintaining post-award documentation and assisting with reporting.

Research Dissemination and Communications

• Enhance the visibility and impact of faculty scholarship by supporting research communications and dissemination activities.
• Lead the planning and implementation of research speaker series, seminars, and training programs that promote faculty scholarship and interdisciplinary engagement.
• Develop and manage the School's bi-weekly research newsletter highlighting faculty research activities, funding opportunities, and scholarly achievements.
• Oversee development and production of the School's annual research report, including compiling research outputs and synthesizing faculty accomplishments.
• Manage and maintain the School's research website, ensuring timely updates on research initiatives, funding opportunities, and faculty publications.
• Translate and disseminate research findings by preparing summaries and supporting materials for academic, practitioner, and public audiences.
• Assist faculty in preparing research materials required for dissemination and sponsor reporting, including supporting documentation for manuscripts, presentations, and technical reports.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Provide operational support that sustains the activities of the School's Research Office and research-related programs.
• Support faculty nominations for research-related awards and honors by assisting with preparation, coordination, and submission of nomination materials.
• Provide administrative support for Research Office activities, including scheduling Research Advisory Committee meetings, monitoring shared office email accounts, and maintaining office records and documentation.
• Track and maintain records related to School research incentive programs, including publication incentives and editorial support requests.

Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics or a field related to the position. Professional certification in research administration (e.g., CRA, CPRA, CFRA).

Masters or PhD in Social Work, Communications, Psychology, Human Development, Public Health, or related social or behavioral science field. Experience assisting in proposal development of federally funded or foundation-funded research projects (e.g., NIH, NSF). Demonstrated record in research and grant writing. Ability to manage communication, scheduling, and logistics in an organized and reliable manner. Experience working with human subject's research.

Knowledge of grant submission platforms (e.g., NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov). Knowledge of research compliance requirements, including human subjects protections, data security, conflict of interest, and responsible conduct of research. Strong grant writing and editorial skills, including the ability to strengthen clarity, alignment with sponsor priorities, and overall competitiveness of proposals. Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines. Ability to support continuous improvement of research development processes through tracking outcomes and identifying efficiencies. Ability to work independently while taking direction and prioritizing tasks under supervision.

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5040 - Grants and Contracts Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. The budgeted salary range for the position is
$55,000- $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications
and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is not
eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization. Hybrid work options may be available for this position with the ability to be on-site
as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 4, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Upload your cover letter, resume, and names and
contact information for three professional references. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact SW-HR@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1036145

Job Category: Professional and Administrative

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu