ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:
Research Administration is responsible for the administrative management of research proposal and research financial management services for the College of Public Health. Research Administration provides assistance to principal investigators/accountable officers in a service-oriented model during the following phases of sponsored research: proposal development and submission, award negotiation, award receipt and account set-up, and post-award management including financial monitoring and compliance; subaward development, implementation and financial monitoring; cost share tracking; program income collection/tracking; effort reporting; annual/project closeout; and record retention. The College of Public Health submits 100 - 150 proposals annually and receives approximately $25-30 million in sponsored research funding annually. Research Administration is responsible for administering 125-175 sponsored research accounts on an annual basis. Staff structure includes a Director, Manager of Pre-Award Services, Manager of Post Award Services, Unit Research Administrator for effort reporting, three Fiscal and Business Specialists, and one Administrative Assistant.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The incumbent will coordinate with the Director, principal investigators, project directors and accounting/human resources staff to oversee and manage College of Public Health sponsored awards from proposal development through award closeout. In addition to ensuring that all research compliance issues are reviewed, documented and addressed, this position will work with the College faculty and staff to facilitate the development of research proposals and research administration of grants and contracts. As part of these duties, the position will monitor compliance functions within the College of Public Health. Compliance areas include applicable federal (e.g., OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133, and Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Acquisition Regulations, CFR 45 Part 74, PHS/NIH Grants Policy Statements), sponsor, State of Florida, USF and COPH regulations and guidelines. The incumbent will be expected to maintain proficiency in all areas of research compliance. Techniques used to ensure compliance within the College of Public Health are the provision of technical assistance and training in the areas of Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Circulars/regulations, development and dissemination of regulatory information to COPH researchers, staff and administrative personnel. All efforts to ensure compliance will strengthen the Colleges infrastructure for sponsored research activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work closely with faculty/student investigators in the development of proposals and other negotiation instruments while ensuring compliance with applicable sponsor, University of South Florida, State of Florida and College of Public Health regulations, guidelines and procedures. A. Assist in the preparation and calculation of budgets and ensure inclusion of all appropriate and required elements including direct costs, indirect costs, cost share and program income. B. Assist in the development of budget justifications, ensuring appropriate language to justify allow-ability of costs. C. Review sub-recipient budgets and budget justifications for financial research compliance, and obtain statements of intent to enter into consortium agreements. D. Ensure accurate completion of sponsor application forms (electronic or hard copy) and USF internal forms. E. Work with principal investigators in identifying, addressing and managing issues related to intellectual property, conflicts of interest, export controls, etc. F. Interface with USF Division of Sponsored Research to submit proposals to sponsoring agencies.

Provide oversight and support to principal investigators, project staff, and COPH administrative personnel in the following areas of post award management of sponsored research programs: A. Award underwrites, including risk assessment. B. Award set up. C. Financial management and compliance. D. Payroll distribution. E. Cost transfers. F. Effort reporting. G. Identification and tracking of cost sharing/matching requirements and documentation. H. Assist with obtaining prior sponsor approvals, as needed. I. Annual and award financial closeout. J. Assist with responses to post-project requests, such as audits.

Assist principal investigators to develop and modify sub-agreements issued to consortium institutions (domestic and international). Ensure that sub-agreements include all required elements including a statement of work, itemized budget that meets sponsor financial compliance criteria, cost sharing commitment (as appropriate), correctly applied indirect costs, monitoring/reporting requirements, method of payment, etc. As needed, identify and address intellectual property rights and obligations, obtain consortium documentation of research compliance approvals (human subjects, animal care and use, biohazards, radioactive materials, etc. Verify sub-recipient monitoring obligations and ensure USF compliance, as appropriate.

Provide technical assistance to faculty, students and staff regarding research compliance issues. Interpret and apply relevant regulations and guidelines to particular situations and make recommendations to the Director of Research Administration and Associate Dean for Research.

Review, evaluate and make recommendations related to the development and/or updating of COPH operating controls designed to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. Emphasis will be placed on controls that ensure the reasonableness, allowability and allocability of costs charged directly to sponsored projects or certified as cost share.

Prepare or interpret special reports as required by principal investigators and researchers. Reports will normally require interpretation and application of complex federal and state fiscal and compliance regulations or University policies and procedures. Results of reporting projects can also lead to policy setting at the College level.

Serve as liaison with USF Division of Sponsored Research and Research Financial Management to ensure coordination of administrative management functions and activities. Serve on University committees and task forces, as requested.

Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM:
This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration or other field directly related to the position's specific responsibilities and four years of professional business experience; or a Master's degree in the same fields and two years of experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

PREFERRED:
Master's degree in public or research administration, public health or related field of study. At least five years of experience in pre-award research administration and demonstrated knowledge of post-award research administration in a University setting. Proficiency in grant application submittal using Grants.gov. Experience in public health or health sciences setting. Experience working with issues regarding intellectual property, export control, conflicts of interest and FAR clauses is also a plus, as well as a background working with a variety of researchers and university officials at all levels.