NA&ME Research Admin

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter must address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering (NA&ME) seeks a Research Administrator Intermediate/Senior to support our vibrant and highly recognized research program by performing a wide range of financial and research administration duties.  The ideal candidate will have a background in research administration with an interest in collaborative process improvement and career development.  The Research Administrator Intermediate/Senior will report to the Unit Administrator and will perform other administrative functions for the students, faculty and staff in the department.

Research Administrators support Michigan Engineering research projects by coordinating budgets and timelines, securing funding and helping the work stay on track. This is crucial work that enables our research teams to tackle humanity's toughest problems. 

To learn more about Research Administration at Michigan Engineering, view our short video here.

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

The Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan was started in 1879 with an act of Congress authorizing a Navy officer to teach "steam engineering and iron shipbuilding." Since this modest beginning, NA&ME has grown into a worldwide leader in education and research, with 25 faculty and 11 staff, serving our undergraduate and graduate students along with a network of some 3,000 living alumni. Our department continues to develop engineers and technology to advance the state-of-the-art systems operating in the marine environment. The department's students and faculty engage in a wide range of research, with specialists working in hydrodynamics; marine and offshore structures; dynamics, control and marine system integration; robotics and autonomy; yacht design; design, production, and management; marine renewable energy; and structural and hydro-acoustics. Our Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory with its large physical modeling basin continues to serve as a vital resource for our department. NA&ME's externally sponsored research expenditures are averaged around $10 million annually in the past five years.

Responsibilities*

The NA&ME Research Administrator Intermediate is responsible for expert coordination of the administrative research process for proposal submissions (pre-award) and the detailed management of the sponsored funds (post-award).  This position provides in-depth analysis and recommendations of pre- and post-award activities for an assigned set of faculty members. The Research Administrator participates in continuous process improvement efforts and supports other team members as needed. This position predominately performs activities and makes decisions independently.

40% - Pre-award activities include, but not limited to: 

• Comprehensive coordination of all administrative aspects of proposal submissions, as appropriate, with internal and external entities  
• Close communication with faculty, staff, and students for proposal planning  
• Preparation of complex budgets, budget justifications, and other supporting documentation to meet sponsor and University requirements 
• Reading, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with all applicable sponsor and University requirements and deadlines  
• Preparing the University's Proposal Approval Form (PAF) and Unfunded Agreements (UFA) in eResearch and ensuring timely routing of proposals through the institutional approval process  
• Entering proposal data and forms into sponsor systems (e.g. NSF Fastlane, NASA NSPIRES, Grant.Gov, etc.)  

40% - Post-award activities include, but not limited to: 

• Providing comprehensive financial management and ethical stewardship of University and sponsor funds for an assigned group of faculty members  
• Meeting regularly with assigned faculty members to review award contracts, provide financial management and projections, and offer analysis and advice on project management  
• Interpreting University, federal, and other sponsor policies; advising on their implications; and recommending various possible courses of action 
• Developing complex long-term funding and spending plans, staffing matrices, and projections and/or recommendations for multiple scenarios  
• Partnering with College and central office staff to research, analyze and resolve sponsor, financial, HR and payroll issues, alerting project directors and administration to any areas of concern  

General fund activities include, but not limited to:  

• Providing complete financial management, oversight, and recommendations to assigned faculty funding portfolios including startups, research incentives, equipment, and gift funds  
• Reviewing and monitoring sponsored and non-sponsored financial transactions for appropriateness and allowability based on federal guidelines or university policies (e.g., T&E requests, purchasing requests, p-card expenses, etc.)

20% - Other duties as assigned include, but not limited to: 

• Maintaining up-to-date training in relevant M-Pathways modules, Business Objects, and other U-M tools and resources Attending College and University Research Administration meetings and workshops to remain informed of changing federal, sponsor, and U-M requirements, policies, and procedures  
• Providing back-up support for the research administration team to assist faculty and students with pre- and post-award issues as needed  
• Actively participating in process improvement, team building and supporting a positive culture  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience,  with two years or more in grant administration or higher-level financial activities in a comparable environment with strict regulatory and compliance requirements.  
• Demonstrated excellent critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• The ability to respectfully work with a diverse group of colleagues. 
• Ability to interpret and effectively communicate Department, University, and  sponsor guidelines and policies.  
• High level of proficiency, speed, and accuracy with Excel and the ability to learn  quickly and adapt to changing technology.  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and also collaborate effectively as part of a team.  
• Ability to follow projects through to completion and meet high work standards.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of deadlines and competing  priorities
• Strong attention to detail. 
• Ability to function productively in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment; must be supportive of, and participate in, change initiatives to improve service, efficiencies, and/or productivity.
• Excellent attendance and dependability are essential.

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. Research Admins in NA&ME currently work in person one day per week following an initial onboarding period.

Additional Information

Candidates who are not currently employed at the Michigan Engineering may be eligible for up to a $1,500 sign-on bonus.  Michigan Engineering candidates for whom this position represents a promotional opportunity may be eligible for up to a $1,500 sign-on bonus.

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

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.