Research Administrator Senior/Research Administrator Intermediate

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. 

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Job Summary

The Department of Materials Science & Engineering seeks a Research Administrator Senior. This position may be filled at the Intermediate level depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, and departmental needs. Candidates who meet the Intermediate-level qualifications are encouraged to apply; training and professional development will be provided.

Responsibilities*

The desired candidate will partner with faculty by managing the administrative research process including developing project budgets, assisting with budget justifications, coordinating with internal and external entities, and ensuring all institution and sponsor guidelines are followed for proposal submissions. Candidates for this position are expected to perform a wide range of financial functions including budget projections, expense analysis, account reconciliations, and journal entries. Candidates should exhibit strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a complex organization. The division is seeking a highly competent, motivated and organized professional with strong customer service aptitude to serve as part of our finance team. 

Pre-award activities include, but not limited to:

• Assisting departmental faculty in development, preparation and submission of grant and contract proposals

• Manage the submission for complex research grant proposals to private and federal funding agencies. This includes processing all proposal paperwork including budgets, justification, current and pending, etc., working with partners to collect relevant information and ensure submission and approval of proposals within set deadlines.

• Monitor all proposals to meet agency and University guidelines, published timetables and deadlines

• Facilitate the preparation of indirect cost (IDC) waiver requests

• Coordinate cost-share requests

Post-award activities include, but not limited to:

• Reconcile sponsored research projects using M-Reports, M-Pathways, eReconciliation and other reporting tools to ensure appropriate use of funds.

• Meet regularly with faculty to review award contracts, consult with financial and administrative management of projects, and offer analysis, guidance on best practices relating to post award management.

• Set-up new awards including sub-project requests, subcontracts, unfunded agreements, and hardship requests.

• Review, encumber, and monitor financial transactions for appropriateness and allowability

• Supervise the processing of invoices and monitoring of budgets. 

• Ensure compliance with sponsor terms, University policies/procedures and federal regulations

• Research, analyze, and resolve sponsored project issues

• Prepare financial status reports and sponsor reports as needed

• Compile financial information to process transactions (i.e., budget allocations, appointment changes and journal entries)

• Review and approve travel and expense reports made on faculty led accounts

• Track GSRA, faculty and staff appointment changes on sponsored projects

   

Required Qualifications*

• Education and experience

  • Senior Level:  Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or business administration and 5-7 years of research administration or grants/contracts experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

  • Intermediate Level: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or business administration and 3-5 years of research administration or grants/contracts experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in teams; must have the ability to work comfortably with individuals at all levels. 

• The ability to read, interpret and communicate School, University, and Sponsor guidelines and policies.

• Must reliably manage responsibilities and time effectively, while providing exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment where there are often multiple, conflicting priorities.

• Be a highly dependable team player with a positive attitude, seeking to be an integral part of the Department's success. 

• Have the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment with the ability to maintain and respect confidentiality.

• Mastery of Excel and the ability to adapt to changing technology are essential

• Candidates will need to exhibit sound judgment, follow-through and the willingness to meet high work standards

Desired Qualifications*

• Open to learning new things

• Demonstrated experience with multi-project financial review and analysis, with the ability to track and project financial activity and commitments. Knowledge of U-M financial practices and processes strongly preferred. Prior experience with federal funding agencies, such as NSF, DOE, DOD, and NIH, is strongly preferred. 

• Seven-plus years of progressively responsible grant management experience. 

• Previous experience with the U-M eResearch Proposal Management system. Previous experience with data mining in MPathways, Business Objects, and other complementary systems is desired. Certified Research Administrator Certification (CRA) is desired.

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 of the 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.

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.