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 should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Become a key contributor to groundbreaking aerospace research by joining our team as a Lead Research Administrator. In this pivotal role, you'll manage a complex portfolio of pre- and post-award activities and oversee a variety of financial and research administration tasks. Beyond your individual responsibilities, you'll help train fellow research administrators and collaborate with the Research Administration Manager to pinpoint, drive, and lead initiatives for process improvement, fostering excellence across our operations.
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.
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
Responsibilities*
The Lead Research Administrator is responsible for coordinating the administrative research process for proposal submissions (pre-award) and the detailed financial management of sponsored funds (post award). This position provides in-depth financial analysis and recommendations of pre and post-award activities for an assigned set of Aerospace faculty members. This position will lead and participate in continuous process improvement efforts and will support other team members as needed.
Pre-award activities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting Aerospace faculty in development, preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals.
- 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 proposal requirements and deadlines.
Post-award activities include, but are not limited to:
- Providing comprehensive financial management and ethical stewardship of University and sponsor funds, reviewing, and monitoring financial transactions for appropriateness and allowability.
- Meeting regularly with assigned faculty to discuss project planning, and personnel effort including in-depth financial analysis with projections.
- Working closely with faculty, human resources, and student services to ensure staff and student appointments are timely.
- Interpreting University, federal, and other sponsor policies; advising faculty and leadership on their implications; and recommending various possible courses of action.
- Partnering with College and central office staff to research, analyze and resolve sponsor, financial, HR and payroll issues, alerting leadership of any areas of concern.
Other duties as assigned include, but not limited to:
- Assisting with training of other research administrators.
- Providing back-up support for the research administration team.
- Actively identifying, participating, and leading process improvement activities.
Required Qualifications*
- Lead: Bachelor's degree with seven (7) or more years of progressive grant, finance and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Senior: Bachelor's degree with five (5) or more years of progressive grant, finance and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated excellent critical thinking, attention to detail, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to respectfully work with others.
- High level of proficiency, speed and accuracy with Excel and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing technology.
- Knowledge and application of project management best practices (this includes deadline management, attention to detail, prioritization).
Desired Qualifications*
- Certified Research Administrator
- Research administration experience in academia (engineering preferred)
- Experience working with NASA, DoD, NSF, DoE
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.
Underfill Statement
This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Senior level salary range is anticipated to be $85,000-$90,000. Lead level salary range is anticipated to be $94,000-$103,000.
Additional Information
A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified 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
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.