University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Job Summary:

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is seeking a Post-Award Specialist to join our team at either the Specialist II or Specialist III level, depending on qualifications and experience.

The Sponsored Programs Post-Award Specialist is responsible for the financial management of gifts, grants, and contracts received by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). This position prepares and certifies financial reports, processes and closes awards, and serves as a liaison between the university and external funding agencies. The Specialist advises and trains staff on compliance and post-award processes to ensure adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional regulations.

At the Specialist III level, additional responsibilities include providing advanced guidance to faculty and staff in managing and closing out sponsored projects, performing specialized post-award tasks, leading departmental training sessions, and offering oversight, training, and/or mentoring to other OSP staff members.

In the UNL system, this position is categorized as a Project Specialist II or III.

About Us:

The Office of Sponsored Programs supports the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community in obtaining and managing external funding to support research, creative, and scholarly activities. We provide pre-award and post-award services throughout the award life cycle. The Director of Sponsored Programs serves as the institutional official responsible for submitting, negotiating and accepting awards on behalf of the Board of Regents.

The Post-Award Team oversees the final phases of the grant life cycle. The team's mission is to ensure streamlined financial and administrative management, regulatory compliance and responsible stewardship of funds. Through collaboration with business units across campus, post-award staff facilitate efficient financial project management, empowering principal investigators to concentrate on their research objectives.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we're proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer, known for our welcoming and supportive work environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn't just a workplace—it's the place to build your career and make a real impact in Nebraska. When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you'll enjoy:

• Ample paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, parental leave and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employee & dependent scholarship program to pursue higher education
• Generous retirement plans with a university match

Required Qualifications:

• Level II:

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting or related field plus 2 years of experience in an accounting, educational, or governmental office setting, including experience with administration of grants/contracts; additional years of relevant experience or completed relevant education may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
  • Proficiency in word processing, database management, spreadsheets, and presentation software (e.g., MS Office Suite).
  • Demonstrated experience in accountancy, including financial recordkeeping and reporting.
  • Familiarity with Uniform Guidance, FAR clauses, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
  • Knowledge of federal agency-specific compliance standards and reporting requirements.

  Level III:

  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting or related field plus 4 years of experience in an accounting, educational, or governmental office setting, including experience with administration of grants/contracts; additional years of relevant experience or completed relevant education may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
  • Proficiency in word processing, database management, spreadsheets, and presentation software (e.g., MS Office Suite).
  • Demonstrated experience in accountancy, including financial recordkeeping and reporting.
  • Familiarity with Uniform Guidance, FAR clauses, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
  • Knowledge of federal agency-specific compliance standards and reporting requirements.
  • Experience using SAP or similar enterprise systems for efficient task and data management.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred but not required: 

• Level II:

  • Experience in a university or state grants setting.
  • Post-Award grant management experience
  • Experience with all Microsoft Office products
  • Experience with SAP
  • Experience with UNL warehouse
  • CRA and/or CGFM certification.

  Level III:

  • Master's degree in business administration, accounting or related field
  • Experience in a university or state grants setting.
  • Post-Award grant management experience
  • Experience with all Microsoft Office products
  • Experience with SAP
  • Experience with UNL warehouse
  • CRA, CPA, and/or CGFM certifications

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and consistently accurate in transactional work, including account setup and data manipulation. They bring strong organizational and communication skills, and are able to manage and prioritize tasks effectively throughout a project timeline. They have a solid understanding of federal regulations such as Uniform Guidance and FAR clauses. Proficiency with enterprise systems like SAP and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a university research environment are key to success in this role.

How To Apply:

Compliance Requirements: