Complex Research Administrator, (IS-0301-13)

Job Description

Job Description

Description

OPENING DATE : September 26, 2025

CLOSING DATE :   October 17, 2025

TYPE OF POSITION : Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION : Research Administrative Services

LOCATION : Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION : This position is open to all eligible candidates. Applicants who have already applied to Job Posting #25-109 do not need to reapply and will remain under consideration

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit / Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit / Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY

This is the Complex Research Administrator position in the Research Administrative Services of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). SAO, with the Harvard College Observatory (HCO), comprises the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) | Harvard & Smithsonian. The purpose of the position is to : 1) support the development and submission of complex research initiatives; 2) manage internal research funding competitions; 3) engage in both pre-award proposal development and post-award activity in support of complex proposals, broadly defined as a proposal with complicated vendor certification forms, lengthy checklists, multiple sub-contracts, and / or multi-year, multi-institute projects with large non-equipment related budgets; and 4) work on other pre-and post-award activities as needed.

MAJOR DUTIES

Complex Proposal Support :

Supervisory and Other Duties

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements :

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience in similar positions at or above the grade 12 level.  Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of the position successfully.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required :

Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR] and Agency Supplements;

Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resume / CV should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. A College Transcript should be provided if using education for qualification.

What to Expect Next : Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After the review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https : / / www.si.edu / OEO / IndividualswithDisabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following : https : / / www.si.edu / oeo

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http : / / www.cfa.harvard.edu /