Pre-award Specialist

Research Support Services (RSS) provides comprehensive contract and grants management support including proposal development, post award management, reporting and metrics. Reporting to the Research Support Services Manager, the Pre-award Specialist is responsible for being the primary point of contact for faculty and researchers seeking to apply for sponsored funding. The Specialist provides a supportive environment for proposal development, managing the application process from initiation to submission in coordination with the ORSP Contract and Grant Specialists to ensure a high level of satisfaction for the faculty and researchers. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

Position Number: S97170 & S97160 (TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE)

This position is a Grade: 8-40 with an approximate salary range of $46,180-$55,420 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications

Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website

1. Manages proposal submissions for PIs from identification through submission

•Acting as a resource for faculty, postdocs and staff submitting proposals, assists with the development of a proposal in LIRA

•Interprets sponsor guidelines and provide guidance on required components for grant submission

•Confirm Principal Investigator’s and/or institutional eligibility

•Explain grant restrictions, regulations, and priorities to PI and understand internal and external deadlines

•Initiate funding proposal or agreement within Lehigh Integrated Research Administration (LIRA) system

2. Perform Grant and Contract Pre-award administration tasks for department/colleges

•Meet with PI at least monthly to discuss upcoming proposal submissions and discuss funding outlook for submitted proposals

•Prepare all administrative components of Just-in-Time or other pre-award requests from sponsors

•Work with PI to revise budget based on awarded amount (if varies from proposed budget)

•Gather regulatory approvals required to accept award including verification that fCOI disclosures are complete and any export control or data security requirements have been addressed

•Review and confirm effort/salary cap/cost sharing with PI prior to award setup

3. Keeps abreast of sponsor updates, university policies and changes in research administration, including any upcoming changes to the LIRA system

•Assists investigators in utilizing LIRA

•Maintain knowledge of university policies and procedures

•Maintain knowledge of Uniform Guidance and sponsor guidelines

•Serve as a resource to principal investigators and staff

•Participate in the overall training of the research community for topics related to pre-award administration and participate in the coordination with ORSP and departmental administrators on research "hot topics"

Special Considerations

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist

This position has fiscal or financial responsibilities other than employee expense activity, such as processing or approving transactions; monitoring or preparing budgets; or generating income for University

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor

Qualifications

•Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience

•One to three years of related work experience

•Highly developed oral and written communication skills

•Strong accounting skills

•Knowledge of basic accounting principles and attention to detail required

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.