Pre-Award Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

In 2022, UNC Chapel Hill launched the School of Data Science and Society ( SDSS), a new school devoted to data science teaching, research, scholarship, service, and creativity. The SDSS vision is to be a leader in shaping the field of data science through an interdisciplinary and rigorous grounding in theory and methods with a human centric approach to the entire data life cycle.

The mission of SDSS is to empower a diverse community of faculty conducting research in the fundamentals and/or the applications of data science. The school is training undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to be the next generation of data science leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this data-driven world. The SDSS will serve the state, the nation, and the world through premier data science educational programs and innovative research directed to advancing the public good with human-centric and ethical applications.

The core elements of the SDSS include porous borders - leveraging our low-walled collaborative Carolina culture to solve major societal problems. Interdisciplinary research clusters that cross disciplines and school boundaries are a vital element of the school. The SDSS is focused on students and education - the emphasis is not just on data science majors but on all students becoming data literate. The school's culture has an open and transparent structure, governance, and business model.

The Pre-Award Specialist provides administrative and operational support to faculty members preparing grant and contract proposals in the School of Data Science and Society ( SDSS). This position ensures accurate and timely submission of contract and research funding applications of assigned faculty, while maintaining compliance with university, funder, departmental, and other regulatory requirements. This position performs tasks related to budgeting, proposal preparation and organization, documentation, and coordination. The Pre-Award Specialist may also support some post-award activities as needed. This position reports to the Grants Coordinator.

Bachelor's degree and 0-2 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in document preparation and interpretation of policies.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
- Proficiency with standard office software (Word, Excel, email).
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to research policies, protocols, and other submission-related requirements.

- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 1-2 years of pre-award experience.
- Previous experience in research office or grant administration environment in a higher education environment.
- Experience using UNC-CH systems such as RAMSes, Connect Carolina, etc.
- Familiarity with federal, state, and foundation proposal submission process and systems.
- Knowledge of research compliance requirements ( NIH, NSF, DOD, etc.).
- Experience supporting faculty or other academic professionals.

N/A

Not Applicable.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.