The Office of Sponsored Programs at Cornell University seeks a Grant Contract Associate to join its Operations Team. This position will contribute to a highly effective group providing support within OSP on a variety of pre- and post-award activities. The successful candidate will possess great organizational skills and a strong customer service orientation and will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment of two years, renewable based on available funding and successful performance.
The Opportunity
As Grant Contract Associate, you will perform vital operational tasks that ensure OSP delivers exceptional service to Cornell units in proposal submission, and award execution. You will work as part of a team for proposal and award intake and data entry, compliance review, collection and review of project deliverables, intake of incoming non-financial agreements, project revisions, and project closeouts. You also will assist with operational process improvement efforts.
Duties will include:
Conducting initial review and data entry for grants and contracts, monitoring office mailboxes to triage incoming work, and collecting needed information and documents to Grant Contract Officers
Assisting with compliance checks, such as completion of training requirements, resolution of conflict-of-interest issues, and implementation of necessary research protocols
Processing post-award and subaward actions and change requests, such as no-cost extensions
Reviewing monthly reports to identify projects ready for closeout and coordinating with the campus unit, Sponsored Financial Services, and Center for Technology Licensing to verify final deliverables have been submitted and documented
Creating and processing monthly reports related to award activity
Performing quality assurance reviews and ensuring the accuracy of system data
Contributing to continuous improvement of our procedures for proposal, award, and non-financial agreement intake
What We Need
Send us a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application. Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
When evaluating your candidacy, we will look for evidence of the following:
Associate’s degree and 2-4 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Excellent organizational, communications, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, databases, and reporting applications
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent track record in following through on details
Ability to accurately review detailed contract documents, written procedures, and correspondence
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality concerning office and organizational transactions
Proven ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
Demonstrated use of sound judgment when referring issues to higher organizational levels for review and consideration
Ability to oversee multiple files simultaneously and efficiently within tight timeframes
Demonstrated skills in conducting research and using analysis and critical thinking
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
Additionally, although not required, the following could be helpful:
Bachelor’s degree
Experience with sponsored programs and related systems such as RASS
Knowledge of federal, state, and industry sponsors
Understanding of applicable government regulations and university policies
About Us
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) oversees the administration of sponsored programs at Cornell University, including sponsored research, instruction, and extension. OSP is a part of Cornell Research & Innovation. Cornell Research & Innovation creates an environment that unifies and advances Cornell’s scholarship, research, and discovery through state-of-the-art facilities, domain expertise, and partnership to enable innovation and impact. We leverage external funding and partnerships, enable interdisciplinary research, and ensure regulatory compliance. We collaborate to successfully translate and commercialize research through large and small companies, including startups launched by our entrepreneurial faculty, staff, and students.
Rewards and Benefits
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with weekly work on campus expected. 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.
University Job Title:
Grant Contract Associate
Job Family:
Administration
Level:
E
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Pay Range:
$66,123.00 - $76,845.00
Remote Option Availability:
Hybrid
Company:
Endowed
Contact Name:
Kathy McKee
Contact Email:
kem342@cornell.edu
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Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
Unique applicable skills
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2026-08-24