Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components: patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Job Summary
The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is the home of the University of Michigan's Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health.
MICHR is part of a national, collaborative consortium that is focused on delivering more treatments to all people more quickly by advancing clinical and translational science (CTS). The field of CTS aims to build an evidence base of scientific and operational approaches that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research across a range of diseases and conditions. MICHR has the unique charge of examining the translational research ecosystem at a systems level to determine where common pitfalls exist; developing novel solutions to these challenges; demonstrating their effectiveness; and disseminating improvements widely. MICHR is a dynamic organization that serves as a hub of innovation and experimentation to advance research in the science of translation and accelerate the realization of interventions that improve human health.
MICHR is seeking a highly skilled Research Administrator to support the institute's mission through accurate, compliant, and service-oriented financial support for a complex portfolio of research funding. This role is central to ensuring strong fiscal stewardship across MICHR programs by performing timely account reconciliations, analyzing monthly variances, long-range forecasting, and preparing clear financial reports for program leaders. The Research Administrator will support month-end and year-end financial processes, including required sponsor reporting and timely project closeouts. As a trusted resource to staff and faculty, this position will guide expense and travel procedures, accounting best practices, and proactive financial planning, while strengthening internal controls through process improvements and clear standard operating procedures. The Research Administrator will also process and review key financial transactions (e.g., journal entries, expense reimbursements, payroll/personnel and labor distribution changes), monitor effort and salary cap compliance where applicable, and use reporting tools to deliver accurate, timely financial information, ensuring audit-ready documentation, operational efficiency, and excellent customer service.
Responsibilities*
Financial reconciliations: Reconcile accounts across multiple MICHR programs by running Statements of Activity (SOAs), validating supporting documentation, investigating discrepancies, and documenting timely resolutions in accordance with sound accounting principles.
Prepare monthly financial reports for NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) training awards (T32 predoctoral/postdoctoral, K12, R25). Ensure xTrain appointments are accurate; stipends and trainee-related costs (e.g., graduate and dental care) are paid correctly; and maintain the tuition overrun tracking spreadsheet monthly.
Financial reporting & leadership communication: Provide timely, accurate financial reports to Program Directors and managers for a complex research portfolio; explain variances/outliers and recommend actions to support program financial health.
Balance sheet & income statement review: Run monthly balance sheet and income statement reports; analyze variances and follow up to resolve issues.
Grant and fiscal year-end reporting: Support high-quality year-end close and sponsor reporting, including the annual financial report and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for CTSA awards. Transfer funding for cost-sharing expenses; analyze late charges; and ensure timely closeout of MICHR institutional awards.
Effort analysis & compliance: Monitor effort charged to appropriate chartfields to ensure alignment with grant requirements. Maintain Effort Map views for assigned areas and collaborate with effort certification partners to ensure fiscal year-end compliance.
Accounting transactions: Process journal entries, Personnel Action Requests (PARs), and PeoplePay payments promptly.
Budget development & management: Assist with annual budget development for MICHR grants by fund source (federal, institutional, recharge) using historical and program data. Serve as a resource to Program Directors and faculty leads during budgeting. Build and maintain budgets for non-CTSA grants.
Approve Emburse expense reports to ensure expenditures are appropriately charged according to approved budgets and sponsor regulations.
Customer service & guidance: Advise staff and administrators on procedures, travel, and financial matters, NIH policy requirements, acceptable accounting practices, and strategic financial planning.
Tools & professional development: Use Business Objects and other reporting tools to analyze financial data, develop/maintain renewal-related queries, and provide accurate, timely information. Stay current on NIH processes and policy updates.
Process improvement & internal controls: Partner with management and team members to identify efficiencies, strengthen internal controls, and maintain appropriate separation of duties. Create, update, and maintain Standard Working Instructions and related business practices.
Recharge (cost recovery) support: Prepare and maintain consolidated recharge rate models/spreadsheets; process monthly billings; reconcile activity; and monitor balances.
Additional responsibilities: Interpret sponsor/NIH award terms; review budgets; open, manage, reallocate, and close project/grant (P/G) accounts; submit Award Change Requests as needed; manage cost-sharing funding; produce ad hoc reports. Support contract administration, payroll analysis, equipment inventory, travel, PCard audits, and trainee/awardee budget inquiries. Assist with pre-award activities and reporting updates. Lead or support special projects to improve reporting, analysis, and internal processes; provide backup coverage; train/mentor newer finance staff; and support internal/external audits.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, research administration, business administration, a related field, or equivalent work experience
3+ years of progressively responsible experience in financial operations, accounting, grants/research administration, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to analyze, compare, and evaluate multiple courses of action and determine appropriate financial/operational recommendations.
Proven ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions on matters of significance with minimal day-to-day direction, within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
Experience managing work that materially impacts business operations (e.g., reconciliations, financial reporting, budgeting, year-end close, compliance, or similar functions) with accuracy, timeliness, and accountability.
Familiarity with NIH awards.
Desired Qualifications*
Experience with training grant (T32) and mentoring (K12) awards.
Research/sponsored projects financial experience (post-award preferred): reconciliations, allowability, reporting, and closeout for externally funded projects.
Ability to interpret balance sheets and income statements for a not-for-profit institution. Advanced Excel skills, Business Objects, M-Reports, and M-Pathways skills
Experience tracking effort and requesting effort changes on research projects, initiating journal entries, and processing re-budget requests
Possess a strong understanding of University procurement policies, including business travel and hosting expense guidelines
Advanced understanding of post-award research administration and policies, including Uniform Guidance restrictions, and experience ensuring compliance with expenditures on research projects
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?
- Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
- 2:1 Match on retirement savings
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.