Associate Director of Research Administration

The Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) seeks an Associate Director to oversee research administration, strategic funding submissions, and complex sponsored funding applications. The position reports to the Director of CCAPS and serves on an interdisciplinary team of over 120 faculty, staff, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students.

Your Mission

As the Associate Director of Research Administration, you will identify and advance strategic funding opportunities, work with principal investigators and interdisciplinary research teams from ideation through award, implement research-related policies, and manage reporting for sponsored funds and contracts, including subawards. A key focus of your role will involve facilitating and managing complex pre-award grant and contract applications, including awards involving faculty from multiple units and universities.

With significant autonomy, you will manage and shepherd a large portfolio through ideation through submission. To date in 2024, CCAPS researchers have submitted 200 funding proposals. These proposals can range in scale from research grants less than $100,000 to spacecraft mission proposals over $1 billion.

You will bring to the role your expertise in the research funding landscape, effective communications and negotiations skills, and demonstrated success in advanced contract management. As a senior contributor and university leader, you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing by fostering an environment where everyone has the ability to thrive and navigate challenges at work and in life, because they feel like they belong and have the tools and support they need.

Responsibilities will include:

• Working with center and department leadership to identify areas of research priority and potential funding opportunities.
• Working with principal investigators to translate research ideas and concepts into specific proposals for external funding.
• Collaborating with principal investigators on proposal development plans, identifying experts, developing budgets, and compiling necessary data.
• Reviewing complex international collaboration and contributor agreements and memoranda.
• Consulting and coordinating with Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of General Counsel, and Office of Research Integrity & Assurance on the development and execution of complex agreements.
• Developing and managing annual and quarterly reporting on sponsored projects and subcontracts.
• Developing long-range forecasts and financial projections related to research funding and allocation of resources.
• Monitoring agency requirements and staying abreast of funding initiatives and trends.
• Proactively disseminating information and resources to principal investigators and advising researchers and leaders on requirements and reporting obligations.

What We Need
Send us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. Note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:

• Bachelor's degree and 7-10 years of experience with sponsored research funding, including pre-award responsibilities for substantial, complex grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated success in managing pre- and post-award processes and knowledge of grants administration policies, procedures, and federal regulations.
• Proven success in managing relationships between sponsors, investigators, and the research organization.
• Demonstration of well-developed, creative negotiating skills.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Demonstrated integrity and sound judgment, representing the organization professionally and ethically with tact and diplomacy.
• Experience in financial management and strategic planning.
• Ability to use data and analytical approaches to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to express thoughts, ideas, and perspectives clearly and coherently and to listen actively to others.

Additionally, we would like to see evidence of:

• Advanced graduate or professional degree.
• Experience in related fields of science, engineering, or technology or a strong interest and knowledge in these areas.

Join Our Journey

The Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) is a multidisciplinary research center that fosters cooperative research among astronomers, engineers, geologists, and other researchers with specialties relevant to the space sciences. CCAPS is connected to and contained within the Department of Astronomy. The key research themes within CCAPS are Solar System Exploration, Exoplanetary Science, Cosmic Origins & Evolution, and Extreme Astrophysics. Since its inception, CCAPS has been the home of several large-scale NASA missions and instruments, and its researchers have historically had roles in most major planetary and astrophysical missions and collaborations.Together the Department of Astronomy and CCAPS represent one of the world's leading institutes for space science with over 110 active researchers. Graduate students, early career researchers, and undergraduates are actively engaged in current NASA missions, NSF consortia, and CCAT-Prime/FYST.

CCAPS is part of the Physical Systems Cluster of Cornell Research & Innovation that encompasses facilities, laboratories, institutes, and centers for interdisciplinary research pertaining to the study of physical objects and physical relationships. Cornell Research & Innovation is committed to the goal of inclusive excellence. Administrators, faculty, and staff are expected to contribute actively to fostering an academic workplace climate that is welcoming, supportive and creates a sense of belonging for all.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email atequity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.