It takes a well-rounded, experienced research administrator to be a traveling faculty. The faculty teams demonstrate expertise across broad areas of Research Management.

As a presenter, NCURA faculty must have not only a depth of experience in research administration, but also demonstrate charisma and a sense of humor. In addition, they must be knowledgeable about a variety of topics, and this knowledge must be conveyed to an audience with varying levels of expertise.

Beyond being a senior research administrator, an important requirement is to be a good communicator, teacher and presenter. Presenters should be able to couple their experience and expertise with the topics presented.

The presenter must understand the broader picture of how research management policies, regulations and practices have evolved. They must have interacted with faculty, university committees, federal government agencies and auditors in order to provide the audience with real life experiences. They must also have had experiences working in a decision-making capacity in order to present to the audience the complexities of the job. 

Duration: Selected faculty serve a 3 year appointment. The position is renewable for a second, consecutive 3 year term based on positive evaluations.

Function of Position: To teach research administration practices and serve as an ambassador of NCURA and the research administration profession.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities, and Time Devoted: Workshop faculty teach specific topical areas (compliance, pre-award, post-award) of research administration to the research administration community. Each workshop is taught by a team. In person Traveling Workshops are 2.5 days in length. Virtual Traveling Workshops take place for 4 half days. The exception to this is Level I: Fundamentals Pre- and Post-Award Virtual workshops take place for 2 half days. Faculty may be asked to participate in one to three offerings per year. Faculty are expected to prepare for workshops, including participating in conference calls, and may be involved in the annual update and review of workshop materials.

Types of Education Offerings: All workshops are offered both in person and virtually via Zoom for the Research Administration community. In-person workshops are held at conference hotels. In addition, institutions may contract with NCURA to provide education for their staff either on campus or virtually.

The most successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Excellent facilitation and communication skills
• Significant knowledge in the topical areas being presented, as well as the ability to serve effectively as a member of a team
• Proven experience presenting for a national workshop (e.g., Annual Meeting, Pre-Award Research Administration Conference, Financial Research Administration Conference)
• Extensive knowledge of broad university research administration issues and expertise in specialty areas within the profession
• Regular, current interaction with faculty, university committees, the federal government, and auditors to provide attendees with real-life experiences
• Demonstrated leadership in the field of research administration

   

  • Requirement: NCURA Traveling Workshop Faculty must be a current, full-time employee of a College or University, a teaching or not for profit hospital, or independent not for profit research institute. NCURA Traveling Workshop Faculty must also be currently working in the administration of Sponsored Projects at one of the noted eligible institution types. These criteria ensure that NCURA Traveling Workshop faculty members have relevant and up-to-date experience in providing administration for sponsored programs within eligible institutions. Traveling Workshop Faculty must also maintain current Member status with NCURA.

     

Training and Support: The NCURA staff, as well as the Professional Development Committee chair provide necessary orientation and support. Attendance at "Effective Presentations: NCURA Traveling Faculty Edition" at the Annual Meeting, as well as an observation of a full in-person and virtual workshop are required.

Effective Presentations: NCURA Traveling Faculty Edition Workshop date is TBA for 2026.

Additional Benefits:(Benefits, Cost Reimbursement and Travel Requirements) Faculty members enjoy the opportunity to share their research administration knowledge and serve as an ambassador of the profession as well as gaining recognition for their organization. Faculty members receive an honorarium for each session taught. NCURA coordinates hotel arrangements and faculty members are reimbursed for their travel expenses in accordance with the FMC Travel Policy and Travel Reimbursement FAQs listed above. All Traveling Workshop programming is under the guidance of the Professional Development Committee and the NCURA organization.