Senior Manager, Research Administration

ABOUT ICSI

The International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) is an independent non-profit research institute in the heart of Berkeley, California. ICSI is a place where researchers solve hard problems and help change the world. We pioneer interdisciplinary research across all areas of computer science and data science to generate fundamental insights, address societal challenges, and catalyze entrepreneurial opportunity.

We foster a uniquely flexible and collaborative intellectual environment.

  • It’s about big ideas. ICSI is a place for taking on daunting challenges—not “playing it safe.” Our researchers pursue questions they feel are in the public interest and advance technologies that address important societal needs. This transformative work often spans disciplines, sectors, and borders.
  • It’s about solving problems, not submitting papers. Unlike industry or academia, ICSI does not have strict expectations on research output. We may write traditional research papers, but we also release software, curate datasets, build research communities, and spin out startup companies. Our researchers leverage strong ties with UC Berkeley and the Silicon Valley ecosystem to bring great ideas to fruition in whatever way is best suited to the problem at hand.
  • It’s about inclusion. Visitors come from all over the world to pursue research at ICSI. We’ve hosted scientists and more than 620 postdocs from Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Holland, Israel, China, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Brazil, Canada, and more. We believe diverse perspectives create the best ideas.

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking to hire a Senior Manager of Research Administration to provide award lifecycle support to ICSI researchers. The Senior Manager will be responsible for assisting researchers with identifying funding opportunities, proposal development and submission, negotiating federal contracts and subawards, accepting awards, and award management.

The Senior Manager will be a primary point of contact for inquiries and requests related to research administration and will represent ICSI in partnerships with university research institutes and centers and external organizations.

The Senior Manager reports directly to the CEO and manages a Research Administrator.

Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Provide customer service and award lifecycle support to ICSI researchers
  • Ensure compliance with institutional policies and federal and non-federal regulations for research
  • Be the primary point of contact for sponsors, collaborators, and consultants for research awards
  • Maintain internal policies and procedures for research awards
  • Maintain internal records for research awards and provide metric reports to leadership

Research Development

  • Work closely with ICSI leadership to develop and maintain the strategic plan for research
  • Identify and communicate information regarding funding opportunities, new initiatives, and updates from federal funding agencies; develop relationships with sponsors
  • Assist ICSI leadership in facilitating interactions between ICSI researchers, university collaborators and industry

Pre-Award Support

  • Coordinate the submission of research proposals including preparing the administrative components and budget for the submission
  • Facilitate the submission of research proposals to sponsors and respond to sponsor inquiries regarding submissions
  • Review and accept incoming awards including the negotiation of federal contracts and subawards
  • Develop and maintain ICSI policies and procedures for research administration
  • Work closely with Finance and Accounting team to provide seamless service to researchers
  • Delegate tasks to Research Administrator as appropriate

Award Management Support

  • Manage a Research Administrator to complete the below tasks
  • Establish and monitor fiscal budget for research programs
  • Manage effort commitments across a research portfolio
  • Review expense transactions for research awards
  • Provide data for sponsor-required progress and financial reports and submit reports as required
  • Monitor subrecipients including risk assessments before issuing subawards
  • Close awards per institutional and sponsor regulations
  • Supports internal and external audits by providing data and information for research awards

Skills

  • Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with researchers, sponsors, ICSI management and to maintain a variety of internal and external contacts.
  • Ability to establish priorities and react promptly to a large variety of requests and needs, sometimes in stressful situations. Ability to work effectively under pressures of various deadlines.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills required.

Education and Experience

  • A Bachelor's degree is required, a master’s degree in science or technology is preferred.
  • Certified Research Administrator (CRA) is preferred.
  • Six or more years of work experience in an academic and/or scientific research environment is required.
  • Extensive knowledge of federal regulations governing federal grants, contract, and cooperative agreements is required.
  • Federal contracting experience is required.

Location

Downtown Berkeley, CA.

Hybrid/remote work-friendly. Will consider fully-remote work with occasional travel required.

Hours & Compensation

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $140,000 - $180,000 per year.

ICSI’s comprehensive benefits package includes: Retirement, Paid time off (holiday, vacation, sick), Health (medical, dental, vision), Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance. Employees may opt to participate in our Tax-deferred Annuity Plan and Flexible Spending Account as a way to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for long term savings, medical or dependent care.

To Apply

Please submit a resume along with a cover letter describing your interest in the position to: jobs@icsi.berkeley.edu

For more information please see www.icsi.berkeley.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ICSI is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.