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Posted: 09-Apr-26
Location: Claremont, California,
Type: Full-time
Categories:
Internal Number: REQ-8035
PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Sponsored Research Specialist is responsible for providing strategic guidance and hands-on support to faculty in securing and managing external funding for research and scholarly work. This includes pre-award and some post-award support for proposals to federal agencies (e.g., NSF, NIH, NEH, NEA) and major fellowships (e.g., Carnegie).
The role supports the Pitzer-Scripps Department of Natural Sciences (DNS) and non-DNS Scripps faculty and includes close collaboration with both the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations and the Dean of Natural Sciences.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This information is intended to be a descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position. Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide strategic guidance and hands-on support to faculty pursuing external funding from federal agencies and competitive fellowships.
Assist in proposal development including budget preparation, submission logistics, compliance documentation (e.g., IRB, export control), and sponsor communications.
Collaborate with the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations on a monthly funding newsletter and shared reporting of activity and impact.
Liaise with Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) for cross-institutional applications and compliance support.
Contribute data and impact stories for stewardship reporting and the College's campaign communications.
Track and assess awarded grants, facilitate transitions to post-award specialists, and ensure accurate internal documentation.
Maintain awareness of evolving federal research priorities and serve as a resource for aligning institutional research strengths with funding opportunities.
Develop grant calendars, proposal pipelines, and training workshops for faculty across disciplines.
Build collaborative relationships with key academic leaders to identify research priorities and develop strong proposals.
Manage the application, review, and award processes for funding, ensuring transparency, compliance with federal & state law, and efficient management of the award funding.
Assist with creating and following College research administration policies; seek guidance when applying policies.
Support PI with proposal development by helping to develop budgets that align with the College's business and human resources offices' policies and procedures.
Interprets and accurately applies state and federal laws regarding sponsored research including the submission of applications, acceptance of awards and compliance with sponsor and College terms and conditions.
Protects the interests of the College through careful review, negotiation, and approval of terms and conditions of sponsored project awards and ensures College compliance in partnership with the Post Award Grant Specialist.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Active support for the College's Principles of Community and Institutional Values in the performance of job duties.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, a willingness and ability to work on several projects simultaneously, and superior organizational abilities.
Demonstrated experience in federal grant and fellowship application processes.
Familiarity with research compliance including IRB, export control, and agency-specific regulations.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Ability to manage projects through campus partners and following their processes and procedures to effectively manage time.
Understanding of faculty research culture and academic structures.
Ability to analyze funding opportunities and interpret sponsor guidelines.
Proficiency in grant portals and systems such as Grants.gov, Research.gov, and Microsoft Office Suite.
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or any combination of education, training or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability.
Experience in government grant proposal development is preferred.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in sponsored research grants administration in higher education or a nonprofit environment is preferred.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:
None.
OTHER:
HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:
This is a regular status, full-time, benefits-eligible exempt position.
The regular hours of this position are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Hours may vary due to the needs of the College or department.
Must be available to work additional hours during peak periods or during evenings or weekends.
Salary rate range: $85,000-$95,000 annualized. The salary rate of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
None.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.
Physical and Mental Requirements
Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans.
Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal parameters. Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file. Ability to move about. Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books and packages.
At-Will Employment
Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Scripps College is an At-Will employer. Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
