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What does a Research Administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a Research Administrator do

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Research administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research administrator resumes:

  • Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
  • Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
  • Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
  • Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
  • Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
  • Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.
  • Complete the EMR (electronic medical record) transition.
  • Maintain patient data and phone encounters in the EMR.
  • Coordinate with Pre-Award administrators for grant submissions, JIT and progress reports.
  • Maintain study databases and oversee data collection per GCP and HIPAA guidelines.
  • Download Sag3DMPRAGE structural MRI imaging sequence obtain from participants, and scull strip images Prepmr using MEDx.
  • Develop a new consenting protocol for coordinators, nurses and patient educators to follow to increase patient satisfaction.
  • Provide direction to others engage in the interviewing process and maintain record keeping for the HIV testing project.
  • Supervise, hire and train staff in accordance with sponsor protocol, hospital standards, federal and GCP guidelines.
  • Assist with the preparation of IRB applications, including protocol and inform consents and obtain approval to conduct the proposed study.

Research administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Research Administrators are proficient in Research Administration, Customer Service, and Principal Investigators. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Research Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Research Administration, 10%

    Ensured effective operations of Research Administration by articulating professionally and utilizing sound judgment and time management to get the job done.

  • Customer Service, 8%

    Established and developed a culture of customer service excellence and satisfaction to include measurement and continuous improvement.

  • Principal Investigators, 7%

    Collaborate with Principal Investigators to assess the most effective means of addressing issues pertaining to institutional and/or federal regulations.

  • PIS, 6%

    Contribute in the development of long-range plans and funding strategies for activities of assigned PIs.

  • Pre-award, 6%

    Coordinated with Pre-Award administrators for grant submissions, JIT and progress reports.

  • Payroll, 5%

    Analyzed monthly expenses, executed budget and expense reconciliation, payroll analysis, and headcount management.

"research administration," "customer service," and "principal investigators" are among the most common skills that research administrators use at work. You can find even more research administrator responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a research administrator to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "natural sciences managers must be able to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, such as scientists, policymakers, and the public." Additionally, a research administrator resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "school of public health program manager for five grant-funded research projects focused on 911 dispatcher-caller emergency communication. "

Interpersonal skills. Many research administrator duties rely on interpersonal skills. "natural sciences managers lead research teams and therefore need to work well with others in order to reach common goals," so a research administrator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research administrator responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "displayed exceptional interpersonal skills including ability to work effectively with team members, irb members, senior administrators, and researchers. "

Leadership skills. research administrators are also known for leadership skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research administrator responsibilities, because "natural sciences managers must be able to organize, direct, and motivate others." A research administrator resume example shows how leadership skills is used in the workplace: "administer broad range of customer service activities and scheduling functions in support of multiple leadership members and several key customer accounts. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what research administrators do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to research administrator responsibilities because "natural sciences managers use scientific observation and analysis to find answers to complex technical questions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical research administrator tasks: "analyzed processes and recommended technical solutions, along with opportunities for process improvement. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a research administrator to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what research administrators relies on this skill, since "natural sciences managers must be able to perform multiple administrative, supervisory, and technical tasks while ensuring that projects remain on schedule." How this skill relates to research administrator duties can be seen in an example from a research administrator resume snippet: "job responsibilities also include all pre-award procedures for timely submission to grant administration and sponsor deadlines. "

All research administrator skills

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Compare different research administrators

Research administrator vs. Clinical project manager

A clinical project manager specializes in developing and organizing clinical trials. Their responsibilities revolve around planning and coordinating with all necessary personnel and experts, scheduling meetings, and preparing necessary documentation, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. Moreover, a clinical project manager must devise strategies and train all staff, develop protocols and guidelines, coordinate with vendors and suppliers, evaluate staff and verify documentation, and assist in all activities to ensure that every process aligns with the project's agenda. Should there be any issues or concerns, a clinical project manager must conduct corrective measures right away.

The annual salary of clinical project managers is $47,843 higher than the average salary of research administrators.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both research administrator and clinical project manager positions are skilled in irb, project management, and clinical trials.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research administrator responsibilities require skills like "research administration," "customer service," "principal investigators," and "pis." Meanwhile a typical clinical project manager has skills in areas such as "manage cross," "patients," "oversight," and "cro." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Clinical project managers earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $103,836. On the other hand, research administrators are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $57,602.clinical project managers tend to reach similar levels of education than research administrators. In fact, clinical project managers are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Research administrator vs. Clinical trials associate

A clinical trial associate is in charge of coordinating and executing clinical trial operations, ensuring to meet all goals within budgets and deadlines. Their responsibilities revolve around preparing and processing necessary documentation and certifications, submitting requirements to government agencies, distributing essential materials within the clinical teams, and reviewing study sheets, ensuring every paperwork is complete and accurate. Furthermore, as a clinical trial associate, it is vital to lead while implementing the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

Clinical trials associate positions earn higher pay than research administrator roles. They earn a $22,285 higher salary than research administrators per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both research administrators and clinical trials associates have skills such as "irb," "institutional review," and "data collection. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research administrator resumes. While research administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "research administration," "customer service," "principal investigators," and "pis," clinical trials associates use skills like "patients," "clinical operations," "consent forms," and "tmf."

Clinical trials associates earn a higher average salary than research administrators. But clinical trials associates earn the highest pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $90,743. Additionally, research administrators earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $57,602 annually.clinical trials associates earn similar levels of education than research administrators in general. They're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research administrator vs. Clinical trial manager

A clinical trial manager is primarily responsible for organizing and supervising clinical trials, ensuring to meet all goals while maintaining smooth operations. They are also responsible for collaborating with managers to set targets, hiring staff and participants for studies, and arranging the event. This planning includes its location and schedule. A clinical trial manager must also maintain documentation of all processes, liaise with scientists and key personnel, acquire necessary legal paperwork and certifications, and gather data accurately. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to implement the company's policies and regulations at all times.

On average scale, clinical trial managers bring in higher salaries than research administrators. In fact, they earn a $40,977 higher salary per year.research administrators and clinical trial managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "principal investigators," "nih," and "irb," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research administrators are more likely to have skills like "research administration," "customer service," "pis," and "pre-award." But a clinical trial manager is more likely to have skills like "patients," "clinical operations," "oversight," and "ich."

Clinical trial managers earn the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they command an average salary of $97,986. Research administrators earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $57,602.Most clinical trial managers achieve a similar degree level compared to research administrators. For example, they're 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research administrator vs. Study director

Technically, a study director carries out scientific responsibilities for protocol design or study plan and approval. Study directors supervise the gathering, analysis, interpretation, documentation, and reporting of data results. They handle the matriculation of students with regard to data management system development. Working with the computer systems team is part of their duties so they will be able to establish a data management system in tracking the study participants. They also support the toxicology team or group on different project teams.

Study directors average a higher salary than the annual salary of research administrators. The difference is about $29,399 per year.According to resumes from research administrators and study directors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "nih," "research projects," and "powerpoint. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between research administrators and study directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research administrator might have more use for skills like "research administration," "customer service," "principal investigators," and "pis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of study directors require skills like "toxicology," "study design," "data interpretation," and "laboratory practices. "

Study directors enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $87,246. For comparison, research administrators earn the highest salary in the health care industry.study directors reach similar levels of education compared to research administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 2.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 7.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of research administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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