How to Apply
To be considered for this position, you must include a cover letter specifying your interest in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume and uploaded as one document.
Summary
The Surveys of Consumers (SCA) at the University of Michigan is seeking to fill the position of Research Administrator Intermediate (or Associate).
The Surveys of Consumers Attitudes (SCA) measures consumer expectations to capture the impact of the expectations of consumers on their spending and saving behavior. The consumer expectations index is a component of the Index of Leading Economic Indicators due to its ability to predict future changes in the economy. The data are widely used by government agencies, financial institutions, business firms, and scholars, as well as by ordinary citizens.
This longstanding research program conducts monthly surveys of the economic expectations and behaviors of American households and how changes in their expectations influence the course of the macro economy. Market moving economic data on consumer confidence and other measures are released twice a month to the public, market participants, and policy makers. The surveys also include data on other related topics from sponsors within and from outside the University. This project is located in the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR).
Responsibilities*
Research Support
Prepare and submit proposal approval forms and manage proposal award notices; train and coordinate temporary (student) employees in office research operations and clerical work including assignment of daily and monthly production report tasks to temporary (student) staff; assist with IRB submissions; prepare cost justification and coordinate sponsor payments; run programs to find section times, review, and send to sponsors; request, oversee, and reconcile imprest cash/ incentives; coordinate preparation and processing data use and other agreements with sponsors and other partners.
Manage Research Processes
Assist with editing of reports and publications; oversee and participate in office data collection operations including preparing mailing schedule, mailings and emails, data entry, coding, & sample management; assist faculty and staff with project specific needs; organize & compile regular project reports with input from faculty and staff; complete bimonthly release tasks and assign and oversee completion of other bimonthly release tasks; assist assembling, reviewing, and revising monthly survey questionnaires and codebooks; test and assign testing of monthly survey instruments in Blaise; order, inventory and reconcile materials such as mailing supplies.
General Administration
Provide professional communications/customer service to respondents, researchers and the public via telephone and email; respond to email inquiries from researchers and private firms; respond to questions and concerns from respondents and coordinate required actions with the SRO SSL; facilitate data requests from other researchers; liaison with investigators, other departments and staff from ISR and university; handle media requests and communicate with media on behalf of investigators; administrate mailing list for monthly press releases and send materials to Michigan News so they can write and distribute a university press release; oversee and document bi-yearly password changes for entire office; administrative control over enclave system including adding and removing users, and approving changes to system like adding new programs); procurement including P-Card reconciliation; establish and maintain research (including respondent, sponsor and partner information) and office records and files ? electronic and hard copy (as necessary); typing, duplication, filing, faxing, scanning, and mailing of documents; distribute mail; route and direct phone calls and public inquiries; order and maintain office and mailing supplies/services; provide general support to program faculty and staff; make travel and accommodation arrangements for faculty including planning and preparing travel itineraries and schedules; prepare and process travel and hosting expense reports; supervise, train and assign work to temporary (student) staff.
Financial
Prepare monthly financial reports for PIs using University of Michigan and ISR financial reporting tools; track and reconcile account activity; provide accounting support including journal entries, payment requests; assist in preparing annual project budgets; calculate and distribute per minute rider fee for a given year; compare quotes and make decisions on vendors both within and outside the university; plan and execute payments to vendors.
Human Resources
Post job openings, interview, complete hiring paperwork, and schedule permanent and temporary (student) staff; approve permanent and temporary (student) staff timesheets; manage human resources requests such as door access, computer access, and employee requests; keep track of training progress of temporary (student) staff using an Excel spreadsheet.
Required Qualifications*
- A Bachelor's degree with 3-5 years of research administrative experience in a research setting (or 1-3 years for the Associate level) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent spreadsheet and word processing skills using Microsoft Office or Google projects.
- Experience using Wolverine Access/MPathways (or a similar system) for financials and Concur Travel and Expense system (or similar).
- Experience with accounting practices such as preparing project budgets.
- Experience supervising students or others.
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve and able to make independent decisions on matters of significance, within the scope of responsibilities.
- Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Ability to work simultaneously on multiple large, time-sensitive projects, while maintaining flexibility and professionalism.
Desired Qualifications*
- Knowledge of UM financial practices, policies, procedures, and regulations is strongly preferred, especially regarding sponsored programs, contract administration, sponsored billing, and procurement.
- Experience representing unit to both internal and external audiences.
- Experience with ISR financial reporting tools.
- PEERRS certification.
- Certified Research Administrator.
Work Locations
This position will be on-site at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible and/or remote opportunities made available within our overall Center policies.
Underfill Statement
This position may be underfilled at the Research Administrator Associate level. This level requires a Bachelor degree plus 1-3 years of experience with contracts and grants, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Additional Information
The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Benefits at the University of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits.
Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience of selected candidate.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.