Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

JILA was founded in 1962 as a joint institute of CU Boulder and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). JILA staff, fellows, students and scientists work together as a team to support and advance research at the frontiers of science. JILA's fellows include two Nobel laureates, Eric Cornell and John Hall.

JILA's CU members hold faculty appointments in the Departments of Physics; Astrophysical and Planetary Science; Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; as well as in the School of Engineering (JILA pays for summer research, funding 32 Fellows). NIST’s Quantum Physics Division members hold adjoint faculty appointments at CU in the same departments. Each year, JILA scientists publish more than 200 original research papers in national and international scientific journals & conference proceedings.

Essential Job Functions:

• Sponsored project pre-award proposal preparation and submission
• Sponsored project post-award accounting and administration including general fund accounting and budget administration
• Administrative duties in support of JILA administration

Job Duties:

Proposal Analyst

• Collaborate with members of JILA and other campus departments and external sponsors to address issues and solve problems prior to proposal submission and during the sponsor's proposal review and evaluation. Responsible for researching and responding to inquiries from investigators, department administrators, University officers, colleagues, and external sponsors. Collaborates with other campus departments and external sponsors to address issues and solve problems throughout the life-cycle of sponsored projects.
• Educate Principal Investigators about sponsored project policies, procedures, and practices in Research Administration, within JILA, and within the University of Colorado Boulder.
• This position is charged with serving as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) by facilitating the development and submission of proposals to support sponsored projects on behalf of JILA and the University, while also protecting the legal and business interests of JILA and the University.
• Represent the University and work directly with a variety of sponsors: federal and non-federal, state agencies, businesses, foundations, and other universities.

Sponsored Project Specialist

• Set up initial awards and subcontracts in JILA tracking system
• Ensuring that assigned sponsored research awards are administered in compliance with all applicable regulations, for closing projects, for reviewing and/or preparing a variety of financial transactions.
• Providing in-depth information or performing research in order to answer questions related to sponsored projects.
• Support proposal preparation, including budgets and supporting documentation.
• Preparing financial analysis and reports on an as-needed basis.
• Advising JILA administration and Principal Investigators on sponsored project issues.
• Ensuring JILA grants and general funds are accounted for and administered in compliance with all applicable regulations
• Monitoring and processing subawards issued to collaborators outside the University in order to further specific research goals.
• Assist Principal Investigators in the preparation and submission of sponsored project funding proposals on behalf of JILA and in compliance with University of Colorado Boulder practices and policies.
• Ensure all expenditures on assigned awards are appropriate, allocable and reasonable and within JILA, CU and sponsor standards to include labor, tuition, purchases, equipment, travel, subaward payments and employee reimbursements
• Submit all necessary documentation in various systems for proper execution to include payment processing, reimbursements, allocations, journal entries
• Ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for sensitive and other expenditures
• Review accounting and budget records for accuracy and make corrections via journal entry if/as needed
• Research issues as they arise
• Complete project closeouts in established timeline, including property reports
• Complete no-cost and other period of performance extensions
• Coordinate with Campus Controller's Office, Office for Contracts & Grants and sponsors as needed/appropriate;
• Maintain accounting records to accurately reflect financial activity occurring in grants and general funds and for preparing related financial analysis and reports as needed
• Serve as a resource in explaining, researching and administering a wide variety of sponsored projects including: grants, contracts, sub-contracts, fixed price contracts, funding mechanisms from private sponsors. Provide advice to JILA administration and Principal Investigators on complicated or unusual projects or requirements
• Actively contribute to the development of JILA procedures, forms, training and ensuring compliance as requested
• Review and monitor documentation associated with awards in InfoEd, extracting detailed information relevant to award management
• Provide consistent and high quality customer service to researchers and develop strong working relationships with both internal and external customers

Administrative Support

• Perform other administrative duties and complete other paperwork as necessary.

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, business or a related field. Relevant experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• One year of experience in accounting and financial administration within a complex environment.

• Knowledge of federal regulations, state statutes, University policy, best practices and project requirements.
• Adherence to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) requirements.
• Navigation of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Understanding of the administrative processes and procedures for grants, contracts, and other agreements both internal and external to the University.
• Assessing the legal, administrative, and financial risks associated with sponsor terms and conditions in order to guide investigators and other University personnel through business decisions related to potential awards.
• Skilled budgeting and adherence to University estimating practices and Cost Accounting Standards.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and time management, as well as the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong team-work skills to assure cross-training and collaboration with other campus partners as needed and with partners in the Office of Contracts and Grants.
• Proficiency in use of Excel and accounting software and basic understanding of database systems.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and positively with a variety of persons.
• Demonstrated experience of sponsored research administration practices.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing journal entries, reconciling complex financial accounts and preparing financial analysis.

• Knowledge of and experience using complex computerized accounting systems such as Peoplesoft or SAP.
• Knowledge of and experience using Sponsored Research software systems and databases.
• Experience with purchasing and expense/travel software systems.
• Experience with CU systems (CU-Data, Concur, Peoplesoft, InfoEd).
• Knowledge of pre-award and post-award administration with JILA’s main sponsors - NSF, DOE and DOD.