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25-111: Department Research Administrator

Colorado State University

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO, USA
USD 60k-70k / year
Posted on Oct 3, 2025
Apply now

25-111: Department Research Administrator

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applications must be submitted via online portal. We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE: In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee. Likewise, an online application with a generic cover letter or missing a cover letter, and/or an application that does not include current/correct reference contact information may not be further considered after review by the search committee. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Posting Details

Posting Detail Information
Working Title 25-111: Department Research Administrator
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202501381AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Coordinator
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $60,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Desired Start Date 11/03/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 10/12/2025
Description of Work Unit
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) is a multi-million dollar research organization located on CSU’s Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute (CI) that is also a research department within CSU’s College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Atmospheric Science. Its vision is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the atmospheric sciences by entraining skills beyond the meteorological disciplines, exploiting advances in engineering and computer science, facilitating transitional activity between pure and applied research, leveraging both national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit. Expanding on this Vision, our Mission is to serve as a nexus for multi-disciplinary cooperation among CI and NOAA research scientists, University faculty, staff and students in the context of NOAA-specified research theme areas in satellite applications for weather/climate forecasting. Important bridging elements of the CI include the communication of research findings to the international scientific community, transition of applications and capabilities to NOAA operational users, education and training programs for operational user proficiency, outreach programs to K-12 education and the general public for environmental literacy, and understanding and quantifying the societal impacts of NOAA research.
Position Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), located on the Foothills Campus of Colorado State University (CSU), approximately 5 miles northwest of CSU’s main campus, seeks to hire a full-time Department Research Administrator to provide day-to-day financial and project management of a broad range of scientific research projects. The individual in this positon will report to CIRA’s Senior Department Research Administrator and work closely with principal investigators (PIs) and the CIRA Finance Team to ensure successful, on-time and on-budget project completion. They also will play a role in the preparation and submission of scientific proposals to external sponsors, including federal, state and local government agencies, industry, and foundations. The individual in this position will coordinate expenditure planning for a varied portfolio of research projects, forecast and recommend appropriate solutions for funding shortfalls with respect to support of scientific staff, consumables, scientific equipment, or project travel. The individual in this position must possess organizational skills, attention to detail, strong writing ability, and the ability to learn quickly as well as excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work with individuals and teams of research scientists, university administrators, and department and college staff. They must possess a strong work ethic, commitment to a quality work product and environment, and be both proactive and a self-starter, and have the ability to prioritize and deal with frequent interruptions in a fast-paced research environment. The individual in this position will be required to be in office at CIRA for a minimum of 3 days per week with an option to telework 2 days a week. For the first 60 days, the individual in this position will be required to be in office 4 days per week for training.

The successful applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start of the position; CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now nor in the future.
Required Job Qualifications
In your cover letter, please specifically address EACH required qualification as it relates to your experience. A cover letter that fails to address the required qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Experience using Microsoft Office, with advanced knowledge of Excel
  • Knowledge/experience with budgeting, accounting, and/or financial management
  • Time management/ task prioritization skills essential to meeting critical deadlines
  • Information-gathering skills with ability to use information to make a decision/solve problems
  • The successful applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start of the position; CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now nor in the future.
Preferred Job Qualifications
In your cover letter, please specifically address the applicable preferred qualifications for this position. A cover letter that fails to address the preferred qualifications for this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business
  • Experience with interpreting and ensuring compliance with regulatory policy
  • Financial working knowledge and project management within an institution of higher education
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Certification in Research Administration such as CRA, CPRA, CFRA.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
Manage a diverse research funding portfolio, including federal, international, private sector, and non-profit agency grant, contract, and cooperative agreement funding which includes the following:
  • Make day-to-day project expenditure decisions, based on a familiarity with project objectives and available funding, consulting with supervisor and/or the project PI as needed;
  • Design and maintain spreadsheets to forecast expenditures on existing projects for the full period of performance including monthly burn rates and future funding increments in addition to common expenditures such as salary, travel, supplies, publications, equipment, and overhead;
  • Analyze current funding levels and use expenditure forecasts to create detailed staffing plans for the next fiscal year and make projections for 1-5 years out, then meet with PIs and review travel, deadlines, new funding sources, etc. and adjust staffing plan as necessary;
  • Interpret and apply principles, rules, regulations, policies, precedents or other guidelines specific to the assigned research project(s) and its sponsor to resolve problems, answer questions and provide information and advice;
  • Develop, maintain and adhere to monthly, quarterly, and annual business rhythms such as financial reports, effort pre-certification, FY staffing, required trainings, RPPR input, and other items as needed/required;
  • Communicate with CSU’s Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to ensure proper account set up, resolve issues for active projects, and assist with project closeout.
Percentage Of Time 60%
Job Duty Category Proposal Development
Duty/Responsibility
Coordinate preparation of scientific research proposals for submission to federal, state, local government, international government/agency, industry, foundation and other potential sponsors, which includes the following activities:
  • Read and understand federal funding opportunity announcements determining what information each potential sponsor requires;
  • Develop a timeline to ensure a timely submission of the proposal;
  • Determine and gather budget/cost information such as salary, fringe, travel, tuition, supplies, services, service agreements, subcontracts, OH rate, and cost share, etc., and contacting relevant personnel at CSU and other institutions for quotes, GRA tuition/stipends, and subcontract data;
  • Review budgets and budget justifications to ensure expenses are categorized appropriately and justified adequately for specific funding agencies, and to ensure that justifications for equipment and travel align with the PI’s technical write-up (scope of work) and sponsor’s cost allowance;
  • Shepherd proposals through the OSP review process and interface with OSP to address potential concerns or complications with the proposal/award in the pre-award stage;
  • Input scientific research proposals for electronic review/approval, and/or submit proposals directly to sponsors.
Percentage Of Time 30%
Job Duty Category Other Duties
Duty/Responsibility
  • Participate in internal and external professional meetings and/or other professional growth opportunities to promote improved job knowledge and performance;
  • Assist department with purchasing, facilities projects, and other projects as needed.
Percentage Of Time 10%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications must be submitted via online portal. We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE: In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee. Likewise, an online application with a generic cover letter or missing a cover letter, and/or an application that does not include current/correct reference contact information may not be further considered after review by the search committee. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Linn Barrett, linn.barrett@colostate.edu
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested
Minimum Requested 3
Maximum Requested 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
Optional Documents
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