Research Administrator

About the role

The Research Administrator serves as a member of the research administration team at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), supporting researchers conducting groundbreaking work in plasma science, plasma fusion physics, data science and engineering, magnetics and nuclear magnetic imaging, cryogenics, and geothermal engineering. The PSFC manages an annual research volume of $45 million. This role provides comprehensive pre‑ and post‑award support for a portfolio of Principal Investigators (PIs) and sponsored research programs.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and administering grant proposals and awards
• Managing research account finances, projections, salary distributions, effort coordination, and expenditures
• Conducting regular financial meetings with PIs
• Monitoring overruns and resolving account issues
• Ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and Institute policies
• Collaborating extensively with faculty, research staff, Institute offices, funding agencies, and external research partners to support sponsored research activities involving multiple investigators and institutions

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years’ experience in accounting, finance, or a similar field
• Initiative and the ability to work independently to solve problems with minimal supervision
• Good team player and ability to adhere to tight deadlines
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analysis, and organizational skills
• Ability to learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management and federal guidelines and regulations
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and SAP or similar grants accounting applications
• Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment
• Experience in managing sponsored awards
• Preferred: Knowledge of and experience with MIT financial systems