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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Multi-fun Res Admin Mgr
Job Summary:
The Department of Medicine (DOM) is seeking a Research Administration Manager to lead and oversee all research administration support services for department leadership, faculty, staff, and research trainees. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring high quality, compliant, and efficient research administration across the full lifecycle of sponsored projects.
The Research Administration Manager will supervise a team of 5-6 staff members and serve as the department’s primary contact for research administration. The role is responsible for reviewing all DOM proposals and providing approvals on behalf of the Department Chair. The manager will collaborate with internal and external partners to promote and strengthen research support services across DOM. Key responsibilities include working directly with principal investigators and research staff to identify funding opportunities, supporting proposal development and submission, and ensuring consistent oversight and coordination of research administration activities across the department.
This position provides oversight of the full lifecycle of research business administration, including proposal development, regulatory compliance, monitoring research deliverables, annual financial reporting, and award closeout. The manager will also work closely with the DOM Office of Research Services (ORS) Director for Research to design and implement training opportunities for DOM faculty, staff, and trainees.
In addition to daily operational oversight, the Research Administration Manager will lead efforts to evaluate and enhance business processes related to research administration. This includes identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, refining workflows, and partnering with ORS/DOM leadership to ensure that research operations align with best practices and institutional goals. Areas of focus include budget development, proposal review, compliance processes, and systems that support accurate and timely research administration.
The successful candidate will bring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment. They will serve as a central resource for research administration within DOM, working collaboratively with leadership, faculty, and external partners to ensure smooth operations and high quality research support. We welcome applicants who are proactive, solutions oriented, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation in support of DOM’s research mission.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge clinical research while leading a team that supports the financial backbone of discovery and innovation.
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Terminal, 24 month appointment
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.
Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration :
Ability to listen, understand and communicate information and ideas effectively in writing, over the phone or in person.
Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects despite interruptions.
Ability to work independently or collaboratively.
High attention to detail and ability to assess/recommend ways to improve processes.
Experience working with complex automated accounting systems and processes preferred
Effective leadership skills including the ability to motivate others in a team environment
Knowledge of effective management, supervisory, problem solving, and leadership techniques required to supervise professional staff
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Executes activities related to proposal submission, contract negotiation, and/or award setup on behalf of a unit
- May have authority to submit proposals, agreements, or invoices to a sponsor on behalf of the principal investigator or project director
- Serves as a key resource to leadership and staff in the unit as well as a liaison to partners and stakeholders
- May supervise the day-to-day activities of research administration staff
- Provides training to faculty, staff, and/or administrators within the unit regarding policy, procedure, and/or execution of sponsored project administration
- Reviews and approves programmatic transactions spanning the life-cycle of sponsored projects to ensure compliance with institutional and/or sponsor policies and procedures
- Executes activities related to financial compliance, audit, or reporting on behalf of a unit
- Executes research administration operational policies and procedures including financial, administrative, staffing, and compliance on behalf of a unit
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Office of Research Services
Fueled by innovation yet grounded in kindness, the Department of Medicine empowers leaders to transform medicine and improve lives everywhere. We are committed to professional fulfillment and health equity. We strive to ensure that everyone in our department understands the importance of social impact and belonging—and is empowered to champion it in all they do. Join us and be a part of supporting our nationally recognized faculty, innovative medical education programs and exceptional clinical care as we work towards our vision of healthy people and healthy communities!
Compensation:
The expected salary range for this position is $80,000 up to $110,000 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.
Preferred Qualifications:
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research coordination, grant management and oversight activities, and familiarity with granting organizational policies and procedures, such as NIH, NSF, DoD, VA, or other agencies is preferred.
Previous work in a university, academic medical center, government research environment, or similar setting is highly valued.
Experience in proposal development, grant administration, clinical research administration, or accounting.
Experience managing complex budgets or multiple funding strings related to basic, translational, and clinical research activities.
Demonstrated understanding of human subjects protection, IRB processes, IACUC, data security, and/or research integrity.
Experience leading staff, providing training, managing performance, or overseeing day‑to‑day operations.
Experience in collaborating with multiple depts, study teams, faculty, and external sponsors
Education:
How to Apply:
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To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
• Cover letter [preferred]
• Resume
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is currently scheduled to end 24 months from the start date and will require eligibility to work for the full duration of the appointment. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
Contact Information:
Calleen Roper, croper@medicine.wisc.edu, 608-262-8108
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
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