The Opportunity 

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values  

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.     

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success 

 

About the College  

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. 

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. 

 

Under the direction of the Assistant Director/Team Lead and Grant and Contract Officers of the CALS Office of Pre-Award Services, in collaboration with eligible Principal Investigators (PIs), the Research Administration Assistant provides support for pre-award sponsored projects and other restricted proposal submissions as required.  

This position functions within a Grant Proposal Team (GPT) supporting upwards of 20 academic departments that, combined, submits over 1,200 proposals per year.  In collaboration with the Department and PI, ensures that all proposals comply fully with college, university, and agency-specific policy guidelines and promotes the PI’s final submission according to CALS policy deadlines.  Coordinates and serves as liaison to CALS Grant & Contract Officers (GCOs), Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Administrative Managers (AMs), department chairs, agency representatives and PIs to respond to pre-award related issues and questions during the proposal preparation and submission process. 

CALS Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS) assists in the execution of over 1,200 proposals and applications annually which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research. OPAS’ mission is to: 

1. Provide pre-award support to principal investigators and supported departments and colleges during the proposal development process from concept to submission. 

2. Build proposal budgets in a format which communicates the costs associated with a project in a clear and uncomplicated manner which address the considerations of post-award accounting practices and policies. 

3. Understand and communicate sponsor, university, college, and department procedures and policies.

4. Work closely with colleagues at the Cornell Office of Sponsored Programs through the pre-award process; as stewards of initial and revised pre-award budgets, documentation, and correspondence.

5. Promote proposal award success within CALS and supported departments and colleges.  

This position follows a hybrid work schedule and requires a minimum of 2 days per week on the Ithaca, NY campus. 

 

What We Need 

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing. 

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.  

• Associate’s degree in financial/business management or equivalent with 2+years of experience in a complex academic or research setting.  

• Must possess high standards of integrity in order to develop and maintain trust with faculty, staff, and collaborators.  

• Proficiency with computer applications for financial management and reporting (e.g., Microsoft Excel).  Must be comfortable working with new and developing administrative systems and computer applications.  

• Sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities.  

• Must be able to work under pressure with a great deal of initiative.  Excellent oral/written communication, organizational and time management skills are essential, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, while accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature, meeting competing deadlines and priorities.  

• Ability to work with and represent work unit professionally and ethically with tact, diplomacy, and advocacy, while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment.  

• Ability to foster a team environment while meeting individual and CALS goals in accordance with the broader mission.  

• Ability to work and build sustaining partnerships with college, university, and departmental financial offices and staff.  

• Must have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a highly professional manner.  

• May occasionally be required to work overtime. 

 

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t. 

• Bachelor’s degree and concentrated experience in a financial office setting involving complex financial structures and multiple revenue sources. 

• Experience with sponsored project proposal preparation and submission.   

• Knowledge and expertise with Cornell University Contract College & OSP policies, accounting systems, as well as working knowledge of Workday and other mainframe systems. 

 

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Employees typically perform this role remotely 3 days per week and on-campus 2 days per week. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time. 
   

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. 

 

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell. 

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell 

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell 

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: 

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell. 

 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

University Job Title:

Research Administration Assistant

   

Job Family:

Administration

   

Level:

D

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

$26.00 - $30.08

   

Remote Option Availability:

Hybrid

   

Company:

   

Contact Name:

Freddie Salley

   

Contact Email:

fls55@cornell.edu

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-04-10