About the role
The Unit Research Administrator supports researchers by preparing budget projections, developing materials for compliance analysis, and advising the researchers concerning the review of the proposals by Sponsored Research. The position researches internal and external grant sources and disseminates information on grant opportunities of interest to researchers in a college or department. After awards are made, the position provides guidance to researchers on administrative steps such as setting up accounts, hiring staff, reconciling the projects on a regular basis, reviewing and approving invoices and financial reports prepared by Sponsored Research, preparing expenditure transfers and override requests with supporting justification, and reviewing the final reconciliation of the projects prepared by Sponsored Research.
Reviews award budget and expenditures (expenses, equipment, and salaries) for compliance with grant terms and unit guidelines.
Conveys proposal guidelines to researcher. Reviews applications for research projects for format and completeness.
Finds and promotes grant opportunities. Identifies sources of funding for the conduct of research and/or service programs. Provides assistance and guidance to facilitate the development, administrative review, and funding process for faculty.
Reconciles projects on a monthly basis, prepares documents to correct expenditures in keeping with the budget categories, and maintains supporting documentation.
Assists with budget and activity reports on active grants for Sponsored Research as well as reporting on unit research activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of professional administrative experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree. Progressively responsible related experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Additional Information for Applicants:
This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.