Research Administrator Inter

MICHR is seeking a highly skilled Research Administrator to support the institute’s mission through accurate, compliant, and service‑oriented financial support for a complex portfolio of research funding. This role is central to ensuring strong fiscal stewardship across MICHR programs by performing timely account reconciliations, analyzing monthly variances, long‑range forecasting, and preparing clear financial reports for program leaders. The Research Administrator will support month‑end and year‑end financial processes, including required sponsor reporting and timely project close‑outs.

As a trusted resource to staff and faculty, this position will guide expense and travel procedures, accounting best practices, and proactive financial planning, while strengthening internal controls through process improvements and clear standard operating procedures. The Research Administrator will also process and review key financial transactions, monitor effort and salary‑cap compliance where applicable, and use reporting tools to deliver accurate, timely financial information, ensuring audit‑ready documentation, operational efficiency, and excellent customer service.

• Financial reconciliations:
  Reconcile accounts across multiple MICHR programs by running Statements of Activity (SOAs), validating supporting documentation, investigating discrepancies, and documenting timely resolutions in accordance with sound accounting principles.

• Prepare monthly financial reports for NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) training awards (T32 predoctoral/postdoctoral, K12, R25). Ensure xTrain appointments are accurate; stipends and trainee‑related costs (e.g., graduate and dental care) are paid correctly; and maintain the tuition overrun tracking spreadsheet monthly.

• Financial reporting & leadership communication:
  Provide timely, accurate financial reports to Program Directors and managers for a complex research portfolio; explain variances/outliers and recommend actions to support program financial health.

• Balance sheet & income statement review:
  Run monthly balance sheet and income statement reports; analyze variances and follow up to resolve issues.

• Grant and fiscal year‑end reporting:
  Support high‑quality year‑end close and sponsor reporting, including the annual financial report and Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) for CTSA awards. Transfer funding for cost‑sharing expenses; analyze late charges; and ensure timely close‑out of MICHR institutional awards.

• Effort analysis & compliance:
  Monitor effort charged to appropriate chart fields to ensure alignment with grant requirements. Maintain Effort Map views for assigned areas and collaborate with effort certification partners to ensure fiscal year‑end compliance.

• Accounting transactions:
  Process journal entries, Personnel Action Requests (PARs), and People Pay payments promptly.

• Budget development & management:
  Assist with annual budget development for MICHR grants by fund source (federal, institutional, recharge) using historical and program data. Serve as a resource to Program Directors and faculty leads during budgeting. Build and maintain budgets for non‑CTSA grants.

• Approve and review expense reports to ensure expenditures are appropriately charged according to approved budgets and sponsor regulations.

• Customer service & guidance:
  Advise staff and administrators on procedures, travel, and financial matters, NIH policy requirements, acceptable accounting practices, and strategic financial planning.

• Tools & professional development:
  Use Business Objects and other reporting tools to analyze financial data, develop/maintain renewal‑related queries, and provide accurate, timely information. Stay current on NIH processes and policy updates.

• Process improvement & internal controls:
  Partner with management and team members to identify efficiencies, strengthen internal controls, and maintain appropriate separation of duties. Create, update, and maintain Standard Working Instructions and related business practices.

• Recharge (cost recovery) support:
  Prepare and maintain consolidated recharge rate models/spreadsheets; process monthly billings;…