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The project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) GRANTED program, focuses on identifying and addressing the critical needs and challenges faced by the research administrator workforce across institutions and organizations in the United States. The overarching goal is to develop a national job classification system that standardizes job titles, roles, and salary structures for research administrators. This initiative stems from the recognition that research administrators play a pivotal role in supporting faculty and enhancing research productivity. However, inconsistencies in job classifications and compensation have led to high turnover rates and recruitment challenges, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project involved a comprehensive approach, including a virtual focus group, survey, and workshop, to gather diverse perspectives and develop actionable solutions. By creating a standardized system, the project seeks to improve recruitment, retention, and overall workforce effectiveness, contributing to the success and innovation of research enterprises nationwide. The following files are available and shared:1. Survey Instrument - This deposit includes the complete survey instrument used in the NSF-funded project. The survey is designed to collect data on the roles, responsibilities, and challenges faced by research administrators, aiming to gather insights to inform the creation of a national job classification system. The survey was distributed nationally using SurveyMonkey to a broad range of research administrators and was open for participation from June 17 to July 17, 2024. Distribution lists included the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) membership, National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) membership, NSF GRANTED listserv, Research Administration Listserv (RESADM-L), focus group participants, and the Midwest Research and Graduate Administrators Forum. Administered by SRAI on behalf of Jennifer Woodward and Evan Roberts, the survey remained open for 30 days with one reminder. No compensation was provided for participation. Questions 35 and 36 in the survey were adapted with permission from the CUPA-HR Employee Retention Survey. Sharing this instrument supports transparency and allows others to replicate and build upon the study.2. Survey Data - The survey data deposit contains the raw dataset collected using the survey instrument. The data includes responses from 2,441 research administrators across various institutions, providing a comprehensive view of their experiences and challenges. This dataset is essential for analyzing trends and validating findings that will contribute to the development of a national job classification system. The data are anonymized and shared to foster collaboration in addressing workforce issues and enhancing research administration effectiveness.3. Survey Analysis Slides - The slides summarize the analysis of the survey data. The slides present key findings and insights into the needs and challenges faced by research administrators, including issues related to job title consistency, roles and responsibilities, and salary structures. Visual representations, such as charts and graphs, illustrate the analysis of survey responses, highlighting significant challenges and potential solutions. These slides are shared to communicate the project's outcomes and support informed discussions on improving research administration through standardization and strategic initiatives.
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This content will become publicly available on December 16, 2026
The Needs and Challenges of the Research Administrator Workforce
Research administrators are integral to the research enterprise, yet the profession remains hindered by the absence of standardized job titles, responsibilities, and compensation frameworks. These inconsistencies drive turnover, restrict career progression, and weaken institutional efficiency. The findings and recommendations from a three-phase National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded GRANTED conference are presented in this study. To begin, regional focus groups with research administration leaders and human resources professionals identified themes related to organizational structures and workforce practices. These insights informed a national survey that produced 2,441 responses across diverse institution types from individuals with more than 1,200 distinct job titles. A final workshop of senior practitioners reviewed the survey results and provided recommendations. Findings indicate that workload, limited advancement opportunities, and inadequate compensation are leading causes of attrition, while misaligned human resources policies, decentralized authority, and regional pay variation prevent standardization. Participants stressed the need for consistent job descriptions, defined competencies, and equitable pay frameworks. The results underscore the importance of developing a national job classification system for research administrators to stabilize the profession and strengthen institutional research infrastructure.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2324360
- PAR ID:
- 10654685
- Editor(s):
- Taylor, Jennifer E
- Publisher / Repository:
- Society of Research Administrators International
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The journal of research administration
- Volume:
- 56
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1539-1590
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 7-15
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- National job classification system research administrators workforce needs and challenges and standardized job titles, roles, and salary structures
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Associated Dataset(s):
- View Associated Dataset(s) >>
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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