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.

This position is with the Campus Grants Management Team, a dynamic and growing unit in the Office for Research and Innovation, which provides cradle-to-grave grant management services for specifically identified departments. CGMT is dedicated to providing high quality customer service and compliant award management to our customers.

Lifecycle research administrators in CGMT are more than transaction processors; they are subject-matter experts and partners with their faculty in crafting excellent proposals and managing awards in accordance with sponsor guidelines. To be a successful grant administrator in CGMT, you must thrive in a fast-paced environment, ability to manage multiple priorities, and be a strong critical thinker and problem solver.

Pre-award activities include assisting departmental faculty/PI in the development, preparation, and submission of research proposals. Ensure all applications meet agency and university guidelines, published time tables and deadlines. Ensure proposals are entered and routed in a timely manner for further review. Assist with budget, budget justification, other support, and additional administrative documents. Post-award activities include meeting with faculty regularly to provide updates and guidance, validating AAR for expenses, completing detailed reconciliation of assigned project budgets, preparing complex budget reports, preparing adjustments and corrections in assigned project budgets and closing out projects in line with university and sponsor guidelines.

This position is responsible for managing and overseeing an assigned portfolio of complex grants and contracts with a firm grasp of rules and regulations, technical expertise, analytical skills and an aptitude for using good judgement in applying grant management practices and procedures. The successful candidate for this position will be someone with a strong analytical background, ability to think critically, has strong attention to detail, makes sound independent decisions, provide sound, accurate guidance to PIs and their staff, and someone who is a high level excel user..

Remote Work Eligibility

All Duke University remote employees must reside in one of the following states or districts: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington (State), or Washington, DC.

Be Bold.

In this role, you will manage a portfolio of complex grants and contracts, applying strong analytical judgment, regulatory expertise, and a customer-focused approach to support Duke’s innovative research enterprise.

What You’ll Do

Pre-Award (30%): Partner with faculty to prepare and submit proposals; advise on compliance; prepare budgets and supporting documentation; coordinate subrecipient materials.

Post-Award (50%): Manage awarded projects across the lifecycle including budgets, effort, reporting, reconciliations, subrecipients, revenue, and closeouts.

Administrative & Lifecycle Support (20%): Develop project plans, manage cost sharing and effort, maintain records, and ensure compliance with federal, sponsor, and Duke policies.

What You’ll Bring

Education

• Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated strengths in communication, analytical thinking, and organization.
• Coursework, certification, or formal training in research administration, finance, accounting, or grants management is preferred.

Experience

• Experience supporting sponsored research, grants, or contracts administration is preferred.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field may be considered without prior direct experience.
• Experience working in a complex, deadline-driven environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Training & Professional Development

• Ability to complete required Duke financial and research administration training within established timeframes.
• Completion of the Research Administration Academy (RAA) within 12 months of hire, if not already completed.
• Commitment to maintaining required certifications and completing ongoing continuing education, as applicable.

Choose Duke.

Duke University is a globally recognized institution committed to excellence, innovation, and belonging. We offer meaningful work, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to contribute to research that improves lives around the world.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply today and help advance Duke University’s research mission through expert grants and contracts administration.