Research Administrator Intermediate

Overview

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your specific interest in this position and skills and experience which directly relate to this position. To ensure submission, include the cover letter as the first page of your resume document, submitting only one combined document for review, which will assess your qualifications including written communication skills.

The School of Kinesiology is the fourth largest school at the University of Michigan, a top public research institution. We offer three undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs, and 35 research labs and centers. We occupy the renovated School of Kinesiology Building, a 221,600 gross square foot space adjacent to the Diag. Read more about us here.

The School of Kinesiology is seeking a highly motivated, service-oriented, and detail-driven Research Administrator Intermediate to support faculty and research teams with the administration of sponsored projects. This role supports both pre-award and post-award activities throughout the lifecycle of sponsored research awards. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, sponsors, central offices, and external partners. This role requires someone who is proactive, responsive, flexible, and resourceful in seeking answers by email, phone, or quick meetings.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a deadline-driven environment, communicate clearly, contribute effectively to a team, and demonstrate a strong commitment to excellent faculty service. A link to the full job description can be found here.

Pre-Award Activities (45%)

• Advises and assists faculty, fellows, and students with preparing and submitting internal and external grant applications to federal, non-federal, and industry sponsors. (EF)
• Coordinates the submission process by meeting with the PI to review applications, assisting with budget development, and providing guidance on school and sponsor guidelines. (EF)
• Ensures all proposals meet agency and University guidelines, published timetables, and deadlines. (EF)

Post-Award Activities (40%)

• Monitor expenditures on sponsored and non-sponsored projects and provide faculty and staff with recommendations to ensure adherence to sponsor-approved budget allocations. (EF)
• Review and reconcile monthly financial activity using departmental processes; resolve issues independently; report areas of concern to project directors and administration. (EF)
• Proactively monitor sponsored projects and anticipate post-award changes such as re-budgeting requests, personnel changes, no-cost time extensions, cost sharing changes, project scope changes, transfer of projects, early terminations, and renewal of subawards and subcontracts. (EF)
• Maintain faculty effort and budget spreadsheets. (EF)

Finance/Compliance (10%)

• Assist with IRB questions and challenges. (EF)
• Ensure PEERRS training is met. (EF)
• Assist with account setup and access requests, including Level 2 access when appropriate.

Assist with Administrative/Other Duties as assigned (5%)

• Resolve and respond to general inquiries from research faculty, staff, students, departments and vendors. (EF)
• Provide cross coverage and back-up support to colleagues as needed. (EF)
• Collaborate and network with peers to share best practices that promote efficiency, effectiveness, compliance, and risk reduction.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Business Administration, Public Administration, or a scientific discipline.
• At least three years of experience in research administration, grant management, finance, or a related field.
• Excellent organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Proven success with contributing to a positive workplace culture, and ability to consistently demonstrate our school’s Core Values.

• Experience with sponsor systems such as…