Careers

Innovation. Interdisciplinary collaboration. Complex problem solving. In Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, faculty members, researchers, and students are revolutionizing focus areas in advanced manufacturing, bioengineering, computational engineering, energy and the environment, product design, and robotics. In addition, they are using their expertise in interdisciplinary research centers across the university.

We are seeking a Finance and Research Administrator to join our Mechanical Engineering team. In this role, you will provide administrative and financial processing support related to grant, contract or sponsored research administration under the supervision of the Finance Manager. You will work as part of a team to preserve and maintain an effective and efficient service level within the department and university. As delegated, the Finance and Research Administrator supports pre-award application preparation and submissions generally handled by the College of Engineering , including detailed proposal processing, updating databases, handling general correspondence and communication with units, and other duties as assigned.

Core responsibilities include:

Post-Award

Working closely with Finance Manager to assist with post award reporting and other financial transactions. Assisting with researching faculty inquiries. Supporting post-award activities including the processing of modifications and no cost extensions. Working closely with Sponsored Project Accounting (SPA). Planning closure or extensions of expiring grants and sends close out notices 90/60/30 days before award end date. Preparing awards for closeout, researching issues, and prepares for Manager to review.

• Reviewing faculty accounts as well as department discretionary accounts - email faculty their monthly report

• Forecasting for faculty accounts as requested and notify appropriate parties of charging changes (scheduling and transfers)

• Acting as contact for CIT Engineering Research Accelerator

• Task Funding review

• Monthly report: Download web report and format monthly report

• Monitoring shared research inbox

• Other post-award duties as requested.

Pre-Award

Pre-award is generally handled by a central College of Engineering group, but this position may serve as backup for some pre-award duties. General pre-award duties include: ensuring proposals are prepared in accordance with university and sponsor policies and procedures. Collecting submissions requests, reviews solicitations, and provides guidance. Developing, preparing, and finalizing project budgets and budget justifications. Responsible for such pre-award information such as COl, Data rights, Animal/Human subjects, current and pending, cost sharing letters, transmittal letters, sub-award packets, subcontracting plan, etc. Using sponsor submission tools (NSF fastlane, ERA commons, grants.gov, etc.). Compiling submission package, checking for completeness, and obtaining necessary approvals for routing. Working with college and university research administrators as well as those from collaborative companies and institutions. Working closely with Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and sponsor for submission, budget revisions, additional forms, justification, initial labor verification, etc. Coordinating and submitting just in time information and other sponsor requests before issue of awards.