This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/11881477 Department

BSD CTD - Finance

About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, and https://gen3.org/, and https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu/.

Job Summary

Under minimal supervision, the Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist oversees a portfolio of grants, contracts, and other sponsored awards, working closely with project teams both internally and externally. This Specialist uses best practices and knowledge of internal and external needs and trends to improve implementation of financial strategy and planning for CTDS. For their portfolio, this role will lead, coordinate, and perform all pre- and post-award activities in accordance with university policies and procedures and compliant with federal and other external policies.

The job works independently to administer pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals/funding within a department or unit.

Responsibilities

• Ensures and is responsible for accurate and important data entry and processing of various financial tasks using University systems.
• Lead and participates in monthly account-related tasks, such as account projections, reconciling expenses and budgets, effort allocations and summaries for Faculty, Project Managers, and other CTDS senior leadership.
• Attends monthly or weekly technical calls with sponsors to better understand project specific financial constraints and budgeting.
• Solicits feedback and needs on regularly monthly reporting and designs solutions for these needs for internal and external collaborators.
• Works closely with Technical Project Managers and Team leads to create, charge, and track expenses for projects.
• Recommends assignments of and leads pre-sponsored-award proposal activities between researchers and University Research Administration.
• Consults for and assists Business Operations Managers and other Financial Administrators with their assigned proposal activities.
• Supports standards for post-award activities such as effort reporting, spending projections, cost allocations, equipment inventory, cost reconciliations, grant and account closing processes.
• Improves processes by identifying bottlenecks, potential efficiencies, and learning from changing best practices and industry standards.
• Leads and performs assigned post-award activities for critical and important projects such as effort reporting, spending projections, cost allocations, equipment inventory, cost reconciliations, grant and account closing processes.
• Maintains, develops, and follows up-to-date procedures and policies the University and Sponsored Award processes, and facilitates communication of procedures and policies to relevant stakeholders.
• Researches funding opportunities and brings them to the attention of colleagues.
• Identifies and anticipates reporting and communication needs, collaborating with supervisor and others as needed.
• Ensures service and communica ion to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.
• Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Microsoft Excel - intermediate skills.
• Financial or Accounting background, or equivalent work experience.
• 4+ years of experience in working on highly technical sponsored research in computer and software development for biological research.

Preferred Competencies

Advanced knowledge of creating and mana