Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Grants and Contracts Administrator – Remote

Department: Vice Provost for Research, Campus Grants Management Team

Be You. Be Bold. Be Duke.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and empower bold thinkers. As a Grants and Contracts Administrator on the Campus Grants Management Team (CGMT), you’ll be part of a dynamic, service-driven unit that supports research excellence across the university. We’re looking for someone who thrives in complexity, values collaboration, and is ready to make a meaningful impact.

This remote position is open to candidates residing in:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington (State), Washington, DC.

What You’ll Do

As a lifecycle research administrator, you’ll be a strategic partner to faculty, guiding them through the full spectrum of grant management—from proposal development to award closeout. You’ll bring expertise, precision, and a proactive mindset to every stage of the process.

Pre-Award Responsibilities (30%)

• Collaborate with faculty/PI to prepare and submit proposals in compliance with sponsor and Duke guidelines.
• Review and coordinate proposal components including biosketches, budgets, justifications, and resources.
• Ensure timely routing and submission of proposals.
• Manage subcontract processes with pre-award offices and external collaborators.

Post-Award Responsibilities (50%)

• Oversee budgets, effort reporting, and compliance throughout the award lifecycle.
• Advise faculty/PI on budget revisions and sponsor requirements.
• Generate ad hoc financial reports and manage sub-recipient agreements.
• Reconcile monthly budgets, submit cost transfers, and ensure proper closeout of projects.
• Maintain financial records and monitor compliance with reporting regulations.

Administrative Responsibilities (20%)

• Develop project management plans and monitor cost-sharing obligations.
• Apply federal and university rules to manage effort distribution.
• Submit reports to central and unit management as needed.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; research or grants education/certification preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking.
• High proficiency in Excel and MS Office Suite.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of federal and Duke-specific grant regulations.
• Experience with SPS, SAP, Duke@Work, and grants.duke platforms.

Training & Development

You’ll complete a series of required trainings within your first six months, including:

• Financial Services Introduction to R3
• Sponsored Research Reporting
• Research Administration Academy (RAA)
• Budget Development and Negotiation
• Industry-Funded Clinical Research Contracts

Ongoing certification and continuing education are expected to maintain your level and performance.

Why Duke?

At Duke, we don’t just support research—we support the people behind it. We believe in bold ideas, diverse perspectives, and the power of collaboration. Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of research administration.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position of USD $59,829.00 to USD $96,900.00. When extending an offer, Duke considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Total Compensation
Your total compensation goes beyond your paycheck. Duke offers comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs for eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provisions for reasonable accommodation requests will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.