University of South Florida in
Sponsored Research Administrator (Finance)
Organizational Summary
Sponsored Research (DSR), a department within USF Research, is responsible for the USF Systemwide development and administration of sponsored research activities, with delegated authority by the USF System President to execute contracts on behalf of the university. DSR coordinates and manages external and internal contracts and grants, providing services to faculty researchers and unit research administrators in the colleges and departments related to funding searches, proposal developments, and grants management training. Subunits include Proposal Development Services; Proposals and Awards Services, including Subawards; Electric Proposal Submission; Export Control; and Complex Projects. DSR has approximately 35 employees at four locations (Tampa, USF St. Petersburg, USF Sarasota-Manatee, and USF College of Medicine), with an annual budget of $3 million. Nearly $400 million in grant and contract awards was processed in Sponsored Research last year.
Position Summary This position in Sponsored Research, USF Research, is one of several key positions that provide administrative and technical assistance and support to faculty and staff in development of proposals and electronic proposals for outside funding for research and special sponsored institutional projects. The incumbent negotiates, administers, extends, terminates, and re‑negotiates grants, contracts and sub‑contracts for sponsored research projects. Independent judgment and discretion is used in monitoring and interpreting relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards for regulatory compliance and the fulfillment of contractual obligations for sponsor and university commitments.
Minimum Qualifications This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1 year of professional administrative experience; or a Master's degree. Progressively responsible related experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.
Additional Information for Applicants This position requires a Level I background check.
The hiring salary range for this position is: $57,500 - $62,500
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top‑ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all‑time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. The responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Assists and consults with faculty and PIs during the preparation and development of grant proposals. Reviews proposals, provides recommendations, drafts modifications, and interprets funding agency guidelines and any applicable regulations. Ensures proposals are submitted through appropriate mediums, sent to all necessary parties/agencies, and are received by sponsors on a timely basis. Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts, subcontracts and amendments with sponsoring agencies to ensure compatibility with University guidelines and mission. Reviews contract terms to protect any intellectual properties of the PI and the University. Acts as liaison with the General Counsel's office on complex legal matters and receives appropriate approvals for such matters.
Performs continuous monitoring of contract terms and works with Principal Investigators to ensure that the sponsoring agency guidelines and contract terms are adhered to by all parties working on the grant (e.g., USF employees, subcontractors, other Universities, etc.) throughout the life of the contract. When necessary, reviews contracts/subcontracts/amendments and contact sponsors in an effort to obtain amendments, extensions, or to re‑negotiate terms and conditions. Reviews and submits proposals for private sector sponsors or not‑for‑profit organizations through USF's Research Foundation. Performs both pre and post award duties from proposal development to contract close out in support of Research Foundation contracts. Acts as liaison with the sponsoring agency and Research Foundation staff.
Develops, provides assistance, and/or modifies grant proposal budget figures including budget projections, budget justifications, and appropriateness of budgeted items. Assists in the determination and computation of appropriate salary levels, percentages of effort, fringe benefit rates, indirect cost rate and base, etc. Sets up and processes the awarded grant by performing set up procedures in all Enterprise systems and databases, ensuring funds are released per the award guidelines, reviewing the contract for spending restrictions, and reviewing terms for appropriate protocol and research assurances such as IRB or Biosafety considerations. Assists PI with initial budgetary set up forms and procedures and advises PI and appropriate staff of contract terms and conditions, budgetary matters, and compliance considerations.
Works with Research Financial Management, Research Compliance, Comparative Medicine, etc. to meet the needs of the proposal, contract or subcontract. Gathers information and responds to granting agency and auditor inquiries. Refers highly complex or extremely sensitive audit or legal matters to the Director, AVP or other appropriate administrator.
Acts as liaison with PIs, faculty and other departmental grant staff. Notifies and advises PI and department of expenditure restrictions, current expenditure procedures, contract amendments, time extensions, etc. Alerts PIs and grant personnel of compliance issues. Remains current on federal and state regulations and monitors upcoming funding sources and opportunities for sponsored research projects.
Reviews monthly activity summaries and reports for submission to university faculty, staff and administrative officials. This includes verifying data for monthly and annual reports. Designs and participates in conducting training sessions for university faculty, administrators and support staff.
As required, performs other assigned miscellaneous administrative duties including preparing special reports which are related to the University's sponsored program activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. The responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:
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Position Summary This position in Sponsored Research, USF Research, is one of several key positions that provide administrative and technical assistance and support to faculty and staff in development of proposals and electronic proposals for outside funding for research and special sponsored institutional projects. The incumbent negotiates, administers, extends, terminates, and re‑negotiates grants, contracts and sub‑contracts for sponsored research projects. Independent judgment and discretion is used in monitoring and interpreting relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards for regulatory compliance and the fulfillment of contractual obligations for sponsor and university commitments.
Minimum Qualifications This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1 year of professional administrative experience; or a Master's degree. Progressively responsible related experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.
Additional Information for Applicants This position requires a Level I background check.
The hiring salary range for this position is: $57,500 - $62,500
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top‑ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all‑time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. The responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Assists and consults with faculty and PIs during the preparation and development of grant proposals. Reviews proposals, provides recommendations, drafts modifications, and interprets funding agency guidelines and any applicable regulations. Ensures proposals are submitted through appropriate mediums, sent to all necessary parties/agencies, and are received by sponsors on a timely basis. Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts, subcontracts and amendments with sponsoring agencies to ensure compatibility with University guidelines and mission. Reviews contract terms to protect any intellectual properties of the PI and the University. Acts as liaison with the General Counsel's office on complex legal matters and receives appropriate approvals for such matters.
Performs continuous monitoring of contract terms and works with Principal Investigators to ensure that the sponsoring agency guidelines and contract terms are adhered to by all parties working on the grant (e.g., USF employees, subcontractors, other Universities, etc.) throughout the life of the contract. When necessary, reviews contracts/subcontracts/amendments and contact sponsors in an effort to obtain amendments, extensions, or to re‑negotiate terms and conditions. Reviews and submits proposals for private sector sponsors or not‑for‑profit organizations through USF's Research Foundation. Performs both pre and post award duties from proposal development to contract close out in support of Research Foundation contracts. Acts as liaison with the sponsoring agency and Research Foundation staff.
Develops, provides assistance, and/or modifies grant proposal budget figures including budget projections, budget justifications, and appropriateness of budgeted items. Assists in the determination and computation of appropriate salary levels, percentages of effort, fringe benefit rates, indirect cost rate and base, etc. Sets up and processes the awarded grant by performing set up procedures in all Enterprise systems and databases, ensuring funds are released per the award guidelines, reviewing the contract for spending restrictions, and reviewing terms for appropriate protocol and research assurances such as IRB or Biosafety considerations. Assists PI with initial budgetary set up forms and procedures and advises PI and appropriate staff of contract terms and conditions, budgetary matters, and compliance considerations.
Works with Research Financial Management, Research Compliance, Comparative Medicine, etc. to meet the needs of the proposal, contract or subcontract. Gathers information and responds to granting agency and auditor inquiries. Refers highly complex or extremely sensitive audit or legal matters to the Director, AVP or other appropriate administrator.
Acts as liaison with PIs, faculty and other departmental grant staff. Notifies and advises PI and department of expenditure restrictions, current expenditure procedures, contract amendments, time extensions, etc. Alerts PIs and grant personnel of compliance issues. Remains current on federal and state regulations and monitors upcoming funding sources and opportunities for sponsored research projects.
Reviews monthly activity summaries and reports for submission to university faculty, staff and administrative officials. This includes verifying data for monthly and annual reports. Designs and participates in conducting training sessions for university faculty, administrators and support staff.
As required, performs other assigned miscellaneous administrative duties including preparing special reports which are related to the University's sponsored program activities.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract. The responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:
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