Manager of Research Operations

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should upload (combined into ONE PDF) a CV/resume, cover letter, and the names/contact information for 3 professional references. The cover letter should address specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience directly relevant to it. All inquiries about the position can be sent to Dr. Conroy ([email protected]).

Who We Are

OUR MISSION

The Motivation Lab exists to help people do the ordinary behaviors that can have an extraordinary impact on their health and well-being. Our work is guided by three values:

• Creativity - we look for new and better ways of doing our work, not change for its own sake, but change that improves our process or our results.
• Collaboration - we take a team approach, hold each other accountable for our individual roles, and share a real stake in the team's success.
• Competence - we operate at a high level, deliver on time, and produce work that impresses the people we're accountable to.

The NIA-funded Roybal Center is part of the broader Motivation Lab portfolio. It aims to translate basic discoveries about motivation into scalable and potent interventions that can promote physical activity and prevent Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF KINESIOLOGY

The School of Kinesiology is currently the fourth largest school at the University of Michigan - the top public research institution in the country. Currently, we have three undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs, and 35 research labs and centers. We are proud to occupy the fully renovated School of Kinesiology Building, a 221,600 gross square foot space adjacent to the Diag. It is an exciting time to be in the School of Kinesiology; check out our facts and figures here!
 

Job Summary

The School of Kinesiology (SoK) is seeking an experienced Manager of Research Operations to oversee the Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function (an NIA-funded P30 center, roybal.umich.edu) and the Motivation Laboratory (kines.umich.edu/motivation), reporting to Faculty Director David E. Conroy, Ph.D., Bickner Endowed Chair and Professor. This is an established, actively funded research program spanning multiple federal sponsors (including NIA, NIDDK, and NHLBI), with concurrent clinical trials, a P30 infrastructure grant, and an active grant-writing pipeline. Our research focuses on developing, evaluating, and disseminating technology-based behavioral interventions that make it easier and more enjoyable for adults to lead lifestyles that support health, well-being, and cognitive function.

Our team actively builds and uses AI-assisted tools - including Lab BrAIn, a multi-agent AI system we built in-house to manage lab deliverables and project tracking - to help our staff focus on high-value scientific and administrative work rather than repetitive tracking and coordination tasks. We're looking for someone who is genuinely energized by that way of working, not just tolerant of it, and who is committed to ethical and responsible use of AI.
 

Responsibilities*

(EF) = Essential Function

The Manager of Research Operations holds full operational responsibility for the center and lab - spanning budgets, personnel, communications, events, sponsor reporting, regulatory compliance, and coordination across multiple concurrently funded projects - and is accountable for operational excellence across all of these areas, not just execution of individual tasks within them.

This is an established position with defined workflows and a documented lab operations manual; responsibilities below reflect the current scope of an actively growing, multi-project research program.

Project & Operations Management (35%)

• Plan and run regular center/lab meetings, including recurring lab operations meetings, the annual Roybal Center meeting, site visits and other events (EF)
• Plan, schedule, and track research activities across multiple concurrently funded projects to optimize productivity and manage resources efficiently, using the lab's internal Lab BrAIn system to maintain shared visibility across the team (EF)
• Develop, manage, and refine standard operating procedures and the lab's documented manual of operations; assist the director in prioritizing tasks and managing logistical arrangements (EF)
• Oversee and contribute as needed to IRB applications and reports; monitor and ensure compliance with internal regulations (EF)
• Review and approve operations for new trainee-proposed research protocols before launch (EF)
• Assist in preparing reports to funders (including NIH institutes such as NIA, NIDDK, and NHLBI, and other federal/non-federal sponsors) using required systems (eConnect, CROMS, RPPRs, clinicaltrials.gov); ensure compliance with federal publication and sharing requirements (e.g., NIHMS) (EF)
• Provide the director with regular, proactive status updates on project timelines, deliverables, and emerging issues, in an agreed format and cadence - flagging risks early so the director can stay focused on the science (EF)

Communications (20%)

• Coordinate with science communication intern and the School Marketing and Communications team on public-facing communications. (EF)
• Maintain current content on center and lab websites on an ongoing basis; oversee preparation of social media posts and newsletters; circulate drafts of external-facing communications for Faculty Director review prior to distribution (EF)
• Serve as liaison with offices and labs within the School of Kinesiology, the University, and external and multi-site partners (EF)
• Edit copy for papers, press releases, and other communications
• Maintain and organize electronic and paper information storage systems (EF)

Personnel Management (20%)

• Collaborate with SoK HR on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training research staff, and on offboarding departing staff - including timely removal of system access (e.g., REDCap, Slack, shared drives) (EF)
• Supervise and manage center/lab staff and some trainee research activities (EF)
• Hold regular (e.g., quarterly) check-in meetings with staff to review goals, progress, engagement, and professional development needs (EF)
• Own staff performance evaluations for center/lab staff, in consultation with the director - meeting directly with each employee to deliver feedback and sharing the completed evaluation with the director afterward (EF)
• Review and approve requested staff absences to ensure adequate project coverage (EF)

Financial Management (20%)

• Manage inventory and budgets across multiple concurrently funded projects; maintain a shared framework for tracking spending across projects to inform planning and grant writing (EF)
• Collaborate with the SoK Finance team on contract and vendor setup; submit and reconcile purchases (EF)
• Assist in preparing grant applications, budgets, and budget justifications - including no-cost extension requests - in collaboration with the director and SoK research team (EF)

Other Duties (5%)

• Represent the center/lab when the director is unavailable (EF)
• Provide other support as needed to the center/lab director (EF)
   

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a graduate degree with relevant experience
• Proven experience in:
  • project and operations management, preferably in a research setting
  • regulatory processes and compliance
  • financial management and budgeting across multiple concurrent projects
  • meticulous record-keeping and progress reporting
  • effective personnel management and leadership
• Working proficiency with REDCap
• High level of proficiency with technology and software (Word, Excel, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom); willingness and ability to learn and adopt internal systems, including our AI-assisted Lab BrAIn platform (training provided)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent, federally funded projects with competing deadlines
• Proven success contributing to a positive workplace culture and consistently demonstrating the School's Core Values

Required Competencies:

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication and editing skills
• Demonstrated initiative, proactive communication, and dependability, including consistent, unprompted status reporting to the director
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff in an inclusive and trust-inspiring manner
• Works well collaborating with others and is able to operate independently, with reliable follow-through on commitments
• Detail-oriented, with excellent organizational and follow-through skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, complex, multi-project environment
• Openness to adopting AI-assisted and agentic tools as the lab's operations evolve, with sound judgment about when human review and oversight are required
   

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan 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
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and parental leave
• University commitment to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities
   

Modes of Work

This position is primarily on-site. Positions eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work are at the discretion of the hiring department; work agreements are reviewed at least annually and subject to change.

Additional Information

This position is available starting immediately and is term-limited, funded for 12 months; the initial appointment may be extended depending on the availability of research funds and successful performance. The general salary range for this position is $89,000 - $104,000. An offer may be extended outside this range based on equity, experience, knowledge, and skills. You are encouraged to discuss salary questions to support understanding and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

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 will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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.