Grants & Contracts Specialist IV (Pre & Post Award)

The University is partnering with Systems One / Joul to assist in the recruitment of this position. If interested in this opportunity and to be considered, please apply through this link: https://www.recruit.health.pitt.edu/#

The Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine (Trivedi Institute), an Institute within the University of Pittsburgh would like to hire an experienced, highly motivated Grants and Contract Specialist IV. The successful candidate will play a foundational role in building the sponsored research infrastructure of a new, rapidly growing institute at the intersection of space biology, medicine, engineering, and translational science.

The qualified candidate will oversee the full lifecycle of grant and research funding activities, ensuring compliance, financial integrity, and successful project execution. Their duties span both pre-award and post-award phases and often include advisory and administrative responsibilities. Must be able to work independently, troubleshoot as well as read and interpret guidelines, contracts, and budgets.

This is a new role within a new institute creating that will require establishing this function within the institute. Experience supporting a diverse funding portfolio, including federal grants, industry-sponsored research, philanthropic awards, foundations, and other nontraditional funding mechanisms is preferred.

The successful candidate will play a foundational role in building the sponsored research infrastructure of a new, rapidly growing institute at the intersection of space biology, medicine, engineering, and translational science.

The Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine is seeking an experienced and proactive Grants & Contracts Specialist IV (Pre & Post-Award) to manage and support proposal preparation and post-award activities for a large volume of federal and non-federal sponsored research projects. This role requires strong understanding of compliance and sponsor regulations, solid expertise in budgeting, proposal submission and post-award management. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively collaborate with faculty, department leadership, central offices to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and transparency. The candidate will have strong attention to detail, strong communication and problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic research environment.

Job Summary:

Performs pre- and post-award accounting duties for very complex grants and contracts. Prepares, negotiates, and monitors very complex grants, contracts, subcontracts, and budgets. Prepares complex government applications and reports and interprets policy and procedure. Monitors account activity, performs internal audits, processes budget modifications, analyzes financials, and reviews routine reports. Develops and implements accounting techniques and procedures for operational improvements and assists with managing special projects and preparing operating budgets.

Performs pre- and post-award accounting duties for very complex grants and contracts. Prepares, negotiates, and monitors very complex grants, contracts, subcontracts, and budgets. Prepares complex government applications and reports and interprets policy and procedure. Monitors account activity, performs internal audits, processes budget modifications, analyzes financials, and reviews routine reports. Develops and implements accounting techniques and procedures for operational improvements and assists with managing special projects and preparing operating budgets.

• Advanced Excel skills required, including development and management of complex budgets, formulas, reconciliations, and financial analysis.

• Preferred candidates will have experience supporting investigators in identifying, evaluating, and preparing submissions for new funding opportunities.
• Ability to ensure accuracy and adherence to budgets, sponsor terms, federal regulations, policies and procedures; provides policy and procedure interpretation.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reconciliation, and budget management.
• Negotiate grant and contract terms when necessary.

Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.