Research Administration Manager, Office of Research Support (Remote)

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Assistant Director, Office of Research Support (HR Title: Research Administration Manager), you'll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that supports researchers and administrators from diverse backgrounds as they navigate the complexities of sponsored research.

Be Bold.

The Assistant Director plays a critical leadership role in Duke's Office of Research Support, coordinating both pre-award and post-award activities to ensure compliance, efficiency, and excellence in research administration. You'll serve as a key resource for faculty and staff, guiding them through proposal development, award negotiation, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance. This position may also supervise a small team and contribute to training initiatives across the university.

What You'll Do:

• Proposal Review & Approval (50%)




• Guide PIs and Grant Managers in developing accurate, compliant proposals.
• Review budgets for accuracy, correct rates, and appropriateness of items.
• Ensure all required approvals and compliance documentation are in place.
• Communicate with administrators and PIs to resolve proposal issues.
• Confirm sponsor submission standards are met.
• Provide guidance on cost-sharing, special PI status, and training requirements.
• Support departments in interpreting sponsor guidelines and federal regulations.
• Collaborate with compliance offices to ensure timely review of human subjects, animal use, and export control documentation.
• Assist in developing proposal templates and tools to streamline submissions.
• Serve as a liaison between departments and central offices for proposal-related inquiries.




• Award Review & Negotiation (15%)




• Analyze award terms and negotiate favorable conditions for Duke.
• Address publication restrictions, IP clauses, and participation limitations.
• Coordinate subcontracts and amendments with administrators and PIs.
• Establish fund codes and subcode structures for accurate financial tracking.
• Ensure proper activity attributes for reporting and overhead recovery.
• Advise on reporting requirements and special award conditions.
• Support departments in understanding sponsor expectations and timelines.
• Monitor compliance with training, COI, and other regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to resolve complex award issues.
• Maintain documentation of negotiation outcomes and award modifications.




• Financial & Administrative Management (15%)




• Review and approve invoices, financial reports, and property reports.
• Oversee subrecipient payments and revenue allocation.
• Ensure timely closeout of sponsored projects.
• Assist departments with budget planning and workload analysis.
• Monitor expenditures for compliance with sponsor and university policies.
• Coordinate with financial administrators to resolve project issues.
• Support final technical and patent reporting processes.
• Develop strategies to improve efficiency in financial operations.
• Provide guidance on asset management and capital equipment purchases.
• Lead initiatives to improve internal controls and financial transparency.




• Award Monitoring & Compliance Oversight (10%)




• Monitor funded projects for regulatory compliance.
• Oversee subrecipient awards and effort reporting.
• Investigate financial compliance issues and resolve non-fraudulent concerns.
• Stay current on internal and external policy changes.
• Interpret and apply policies regarding allowable costs.
• Escalate unresolved compliance issues to appropriate leadership.
• Maintain systems to ensure timely RCR compliance.
• Provide guidance on export controls and federal contract requirements.
• Conduct periodic audits of award portfolios to ensure adherence to policies.
• Collaborate with internal audit and compliance teams on risk mitigation.




• Supervisory Activities & Training (10%)




• Supervise grants and contracts staff and support personnel.
• Review work and provide feedback to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Lead workshops and training on proposal preparation and award management.
• Develop educational materials on research compliance topics.
• Mentor junior staff and support their professional development.
• Collaborate with other units to promote best practices in research administration.
• Facilitate onboarding and continuing education for new hires.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and service excellence.
• Evaluate team performance and recommend professional development plans.
• Lead cross-functional training initiatives to build institutional knowledge.

What You'll Bring:

• A bachelor's degree with strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills; education in research or grants administration is preferred.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in grants and contracts administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Successful completion of required training programs such as:




• GC101 & GC201 (Introduction to Research)
• Financial Services Introduction to R3
• Introduction to Duke GL and Accounting
• Sponsored Research Reporting
• Research Administration at Duke (online)
• Basic Compliance (online)




• Completion of the Research Administration Academy (RAA) and Advanced Grants Management (AGM) within the first 12-18 months of hire.
• Ongoing maintenance of RAA and AGM certifications through continuing education.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and grants management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, communicate effectively, and apply federal and university policies to complex research scenarios.

Choose Duke.

Work Location Flexibility

Duke University supports flexible work arrangements. Employees in this role may be eligible to work remotely in the following U.S. states and jurisdictions, subject to departmental approval and university policy:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington (State), Washington, DC

Compensation & Benefits

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $67,732.00 to USD $116,282.00. Duke considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a stronger, smarter, and more connected future.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.