Research Administrator

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About the role

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) seeks an experienced research administrator to perform pre- and post-award activities related to sponsored research. This position is being filled at the Research Administrator Intermediate or Senior level, with placement based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be a proactive, customer service-oriented professional who works collaboratively with the Mechanical Engineering Research Administration team and reports to the Finance Manager. Research Administration staff may work primarily remote schedules. The selected candidate must be a resident of the state of Michigan.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Award Research Administration
  • Assist departmental faculty and researchers with proposal submissions to various federal and non-federal sponsors, ensuring deadlines are met. Activities include:
    • Developing budgets and budget justifications, including coordinating cost-share requests and assisting with IDC waiver requests when needed
    • Reviewing and adhering to proposal submission guidelines
    • Facilitating or completing sponsor forms
    • Preparing Proposal Approval Forms
    • Preparing and maintaining documents for submission packages, including preparing just-in-time requests
  • Serve as liaison for faculty with College of Engineering and University central offices (e.g., Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP))
• Post-Award Research Administration
  • Review assigned project/grants in a variety of funds including general, gift, recharge, and sponsored research using MReports, Business Objects, and other tools. This includes:
    • Reviewing financial transactions
    • Projecting and updating encumbrances
    • Faculty portfolio analysis, including monitoring appropriateness for grant funding and allowability. Alert project directors and administration to areas of concern. Make recommendations and take actions to resolve issues
    • Ensuring adherence to various sponsored research and university policies and procedures
  • Prepare monthly reports illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances
  • Respond to requests for financial information from sponsors
  • Review and facilitate Financial Status Reports (FSRs) and complete Uniformed Guidance (UG) Reports with Sponsored Programs
  • Prepare journal entries as required
  • Assist with financial progress reports
  • Work with faculty to ensure students are fully funded each term
  • Work with faculty to ensure offset requirements are met
• Participate in continuous process improvement efforts. Help document best practices and procedures for research administration

The candidate will ideally spend 50% on pre-award and 50% on post-award. However, this is subject to the candidate's experience and strengths, and the needs of the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Grant and contract administration experience commensurate with the level of the position:
  • Research Administrator Intermediate: 3-5 years
  • Research Administrator Senior: 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment, along with attention to detail and dependability

Skills

• Ability to interpret and communicate Department, University, and Sponsor guidelines and policies
• 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, DOD, and DoE strongly preferred
• Mastery of Excel and ability to adapt to changing technology
• Ability to work in a team environment, collaborate effectively with co-workers, and provide excellent customer service
• Ability to organize and synthesize complex information about financial aspects, resulting in clear and comprehensive summaries
• Exhibit sound judgment, follow work through to completion, and meet high work standards
• Ability to set priorities and manage competing deadlines
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in the use of Business Objects and M-Pathways

Desired Qualifications

• Three-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

Benefits

• 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

Pay

The salary range for the two levels is $68,000 - $97,000. The salary offered will be commensurate with the level of the position. A higher salary may be considered for an exceptionally qualified candidate.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.