Research Administrator II

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. These values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They are reflected in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Interdisciplinary Research Support Office (IRSO), a unit of the Office of Research, is dedicated to advancing Rice University’s research enterprise by delivering high-quality, outcome-driven administrative support to the university’s research institutes, centers, and complex multi-departmental or multi-institutional projects.

Under the guidance of IRSO leadership, the Research Administrator II provides comprehensive post-award and operational support to faculty, research institutes, centers, and administrative units across campus. The role operates within a collaborative, fast-paced research administration environment that prioritizes operational excellence, adaptability, continuous improvement, and high-quality service delivery across a diverse portfolio of interdisciplinary research activities.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in research administration, accounting, and/or higher education administration, supported by strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. They will be detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple priorities, and adept at collaborating with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, adaptability, initiative, and a commitment to delivering high-quality administrative and financial support in a fast-paced, service-oriented research environment. Candidates should be comfortable learning new systems, processes, and evolving technologies that enhance operational efficiency and research administration. The ideal candidate will also exhibit curiosity and openness toward emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools that strengthen organization, streamline workflows, and elevate research administration services.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role designed to support both flexibility and effective in-person collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change based on operational needs and institutional guidance.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary is $63,731 - $80,400 annually, dependent on skills and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• 2+ years of experience in research administration, grants administration, accounting, financial administration, or a related higher education environment

Skills:

• Knowledge of research administration — Familiarity with research administration practices and funding agency guidelines, regulations, and policies
• Technical proficiency — Intermediate-level skill with word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database applications
• Organizational excellence — Strong organizational and time management skills
• Stakeholder communication — Ability to engage diverse stakeholders with situational awareness, tact, and professionalism
• Analytical mindset — Demonstrates an inquisitive, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Multitasking capability — Effectively manages multiple priorities and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Preferences

• Digital adaptability — Demonstrates enthusiasm for developing digital literacy and adopting new systems, policies, and emerging technologies
• Organizational mastery — Exhibits exceptional organizational skills, including managing multiple tasks and projects, prioritizing effectively, and maintaining meticulous records
• Professional discretion — Accomplishes goals with diplomacy, tact, and respect for confidential information
• Federal grant expertise — Proven experience managing grants and contracts with federal agencies
• Collaborative engagement — Capable of contributing meaningfully to collaborative projects in a fast-paced environment
• Enterprise systems proficiency — Experience using Oracle-based (or similar) business systems and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom
• Process improvement mindset — Demonstrates interest in operational efficiency and continuous process improvement initiatives

Essential Functions

• Oversee project budgets and supply data for financial and progress reports as required
• Coordinate and review account setup and closeout, monitor expenditures, and approve them as necessary
• Create and uphold reporting protocols to comply with IRSO standards, ensuring all data is tracked, analyzed, and reviewed monthly for precise award management
• Collaborate with faculty and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure proper allocation of charges, accurate award management, and compliance with regulations
• Identify the need for and process no-cost extensions, project rebudgets, and cost transfers
• Act as a liaison with the Office of Sponsored Projects, Research Cost Accounting, and other departments at Rice to ensure that process workflows are correctly managed by all parties and progress toward desired outcomes
• Oversee and organize records, files, and reports
• Provide post-award and operational support to IRSO faculty, institutes, centers, and groups as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.