Full Job Description
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Grants & Contracts Administration (OGCA) is seeking an accomplished research administration professional to serve as Grants and Contracts Management Officer. This senior position combines research administration expertise, leadership, contract and award negotiation, staff development, and institutional problem-solving in support of UAF's externally funded research enterprise.
The Grants and Contracts Management Officer will provide leadership and subject-matter expertise in the administration of sponsored awards, contracts, subawards, and related agreements. The position will review and negotiate complex terms and conditions; interpret federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and university policy; coordinate legal, compliance, and institutional reviews; assist principal investigators and research administrators with complex sponsored project issues; and represent UAF in communications and negotiations with external sponsors and collaborating organizations.
The position also provides leadership to research administration staff, including workload management, training, mentoring, professional development, and resolution of particularly complex matters. As part of OGCA's management team, the Grants and Contracts Management Officer will contribute to research administration training, electronic research administration initiatives, procedure development, process improvement, strategic projects, and efforts to strengthen UAF's overall research administration infrastructure.
This is an opportunity for an experienced research administrator to have a significant institutional impact while working with a broad and diverse portfolio of research activities and sponsors.
You will thrive in this position if research administration is more than a set of rules to you. The strongest candidates will understand both the regulatory framework surrounding sponsored projects and the practical realities faced by researchers and research administrators trying to move complex work forward.
You should bring significant knowledge of sponsored research administration, including federal award requirements, 2 CFR 200, FAR, federal research terms and conditions, sponsor policies, contract and agreement terms, and other requirements affecting externally funded activities. Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, grants, subawards, and non-standard award terms will be particularly important. The current position description specifically calls for expert knowledge of sponsored-project regulations and funding mechanisms and expert-level negotiation skills.
You should also be an experienced leader who is comfortable coaching research administrators, evaluating complicated situations, establishing priorities, balancing risk and service, and making well-reasoned decisions when the answer is not immediately obvious. Excellent writing, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential.
The work requires someone who can move comfortably between the details and the larger picture. On any given day, you may be interpreting a difficult award clause, helping resolve a sponsor issue, coaching an analyst, advising a principal investigator, improving a process, contributing to institutional guidance, or helping leadership evaluate a broader research
administration challenge.
We are particularly interested in candidates who value continuous improvement, professional development, collaboration, thoughtful use of technology, and excellent service to the research community. Experience with electronic research administration systems and the ability to adapt to evolving federal requirements and sponsor systems will be valuable.
The existing position description identifies extensive research administration experience,
including leadership and contract administration and negotiation, and identifies professional research administration credentials such as CRA, CPRA, or CCM as preferred.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in relevant field and six years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Advanced degree preferred.
Position Details:
This position is located on the UAF Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule , Grade 82, based on education and experience.
Application review will begin on November 20, 2026. To ensure consideration, please submit your application by 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on November 19, 2026.
The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position's duties, operational needs, and the employee's ability to effectively perform the work remotely.
To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Lee Ann Amerson, OGCA HR Coordinator, at lamerson@alaska.edu or (907) 474-6664.
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity (CAUSE)-UAW.
