Sponsored Research Administrator

Bennington College invites applications for a Sponsored Research Administrator (SRA). Funded by an EPSCoR grant from the National Science Foundation for the The Science and Technology Research Initiative for the Vermont Economy (STRIVE) program, the SRA will provide operational support and guidance to faculty for sponsored research activities at the College, both pre- and post-award. 

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, the SRA will manage Bennington’s participation in this multi-college collaboration and advance the objectives of the project that fall within Bennington’s purview. Working in collaboration with the Budget Manager and Academic Liaison, the grant’s PI, and others, this position will also support grant monitoring, outcome reporting, and budget expenditures for STRIVE and other research grants, as well as providing faculty with pre-award support.

This role is supported by grant funding with an anticipated conclusion date of June 30, 2029. Continuation or renewal of this contract is strictly contingent upon the EPSCoR grant. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values.  The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

General Responsibilities

NSF EPSCoR STRIVE grant management:

• Manage Bennington’s participation in this multi-college collaboration.


• Attend virtual and in-person meetings related to this work.


• Working with the Budget Manager and Academic Liaison, Provost’s Office, and others, support the PI in tracking expenditures, monitoring and recording activities and progress, and preparing and submitting progress reports to the lead institution (Landmark College).


• Assist faculty in submitting “STaRS” seed grant proposals and in post-award management when seed grants are funded.


• Serve on STRIVE-related committees as needed, such as evaluating and judging seed grants, Research Development and Management Work Group, Operations, and others.


• Support Bennington and multi-college publicity activities for STRIVE. 

Pre-award faculty support:

• Working with the Provost’s Office and the Director of Institutional and Academic Grants, advance the STRIVE goals to boost the research enterprise at the College.


• Research grant and fellowship opportunities using websites, databases, etc.


• Provide timely information to faculty on grant and fellowship opportunities (e.g. on the Intranet and via Faculty Notes). 


• Meet with faculty individually to learn about their research aims and trajectories, explore potential funding sources, and plan proposals.


• Support faculty in proposal preparation (e.g., thoroughly reading and understanding guidelines and requirements, reviewing draft narratives, budgeting, providing institutional documents, etc.) and monitor deadlines. Where necessary and appropriate, act as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) to submit proposals (e.g., NSF and other government agencies).


• Organize occasional workshops for faculty to mentor them on grant preparation procedures, e.g. topics such as budgeting, evaluation, etc.

Post-award support:

• Work with faculty PIs to set up systems and procedures for tracking and monitoring grant project activities and expenditures; collaborate with the Budget Manager and Academic Liaison, Provost’s Office, and other staff as needed.


• Ensure compliance with all sponsor regulations including research security, ethics, and integrity. Work with faculty PIs and others to prepare narrative and financial reports.

Additional accountabilities will include: 

• Maintaining a dashboard to monitor and assess research activity.


• Be familiar with, or become familiar with, agency policies, procedures, and portals, such as the NSF’s PAPPG and Research.gov, Grants.gov, etc.


• Utilizing external networks as needed for training and support (e.g. NCURA, CLASP).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Certificate in research administration preferred.


• 2-3 years of experience in research administration, a grants office, or related.


• Demonstrated knowledge of sponsored research practices and procedures.


• Familiarity with external government and foundation sponsors and online portals such as Research.gov, Grants.gov, and similar.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, conflict management, and organization.


• Quantitative skills necessary to understand and help prepare grant budgets.


• Experience using spreadsheets and word processing; Google environment preferred. Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat preferred. 


• Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff intra- and inter-institutionally. Skilled at relationship-building.


• Ability to explain—and follow—policies and procedures clearly and patiently.


• Commitment to diversity, belonging, fairness, and inclusion in all aspects of professional practice.


• Ability to handle a wide range of tasks in a small office and school setting; flexibility, resourcefulness, and positive attitude. .


• Thoroughness and persistence; willingness to pursue answers to difficult questions (e.g., ambiguities in guidelines) immediately and completely.


• Strong service orientation with a focus on continuous process improvement.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion and acceptable results of a background check. 

Compensation: The salary for this grant funded position starts at $63,000. 

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning, which is manifest in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. We serve a diverse student population, and our faculty and staff also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities.  Our aim is to educate students towards self-fulfillment and constructive social purposes, and we believe that equity, diversity, and inclusivity--in community and in curriculum--are vital to achieving those aims.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest.  From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.