Research Administrator Senior​/Intermediate

Research Administrator Senior/Intermediate Job Summary

The College of Pharmacy seeks a highly motivated and experienced Research Administrator to provide comprehensive pre- and post-award research administration support to faculty, with primary responsibility for the administrative management of an NIH T32 Institutional Training Grant.

This position serves as a strategic partner to faculty, trainees, sponsors, and university administrative offices throughout the full award lifecycle. Responsibilities include proposal development and submission, award administration, financial management, trainee appointments, reporting, sponsor compliance, and closeout activities. The successful candidate will possess expertise in sponsored research administration and have experience managing NIH institutional training grants and trainee appointments from award setup through closeout.

The Research Administrator reports to the Director of Research Administration and collaborates closely with faculty, trainees, departmental administrators, and central university offices. The College of Pharmacy offers opportunities for professional growth, and the University of Michigan provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans.

• Independently manage all administrative aspects of an NIH T32 Institutional Training Grant from award setup through closeout.
• Coordinate trainee recruitment, appointments, reappointments, terminations, stipend payments, tuition support, benefits, and effort in accordance with NIH and institutional policies.
• Monitor trainee eligibility, appointment periods, effort, and compliance requirements.
• Prepare and submit trainee appointments and related documentation in xTrain and eRA Commons.
• Coordinate annual progress reports (RPPRs), trainee tables, institutional reporting, and other sponsor-required deliverables.
• Manage post-award activities including award setup, financial monitoring, prior approvals, rebudgeting, effort management, reporting, no-cost extensions, and closeout.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison between program leadership, trainees, faculty mentors, NIH program officials, and university administrative offices.
• Advise faculty and trainees regarding NIH training grant policies, trainee eligibility, appointments, stipend levels, and institutional requirements.
• Assist program leadership with documentation necessary to support successful competitive renewals.

Sponsored Research Administration

• Lead and coordinate the preparation, review, and submission of complex research proposals, including multi-PI, multi-institutional, and center-scale submissions.
• Develop detailed budgets and budget justifications, including cost sharing, subawards, effort commitments, and compliance requirements.
• Interpret and apply sponsor, federal, state, and university regulations to ensure proposals and awards remain accurate and compliant.
• Prepare Just-in-Time submissions and other sponsor-requested documentation.
• Manage subaward development and coordinate subcontract administration under prime awards.
• Prepare and review research-related agreements, including Material Transfer Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Use Agreements, and other research agreements.
• Serve as liaison between faculty, sponsors, trainees, and university administrative offices.
• Maintain accurate records and complete data entry in department and university business systems.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the Research Administration Office.

Research Administrator Senior:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in research administration, with demonstrated expertise in pre-and post-award activities for federal sponsors.

Research Administrator Intermediate:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three to five years of experience in research administration, with demonstrated expertise in pre-and post-award activities for federal sponsors.

Research Administrator Intermediate/Senior:

• Proven ability to independently manage a high volume of complex proposals.
• Strong knowledge of sponsor regulations, funding mechanisms, and university administrative procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory and policy guidance across multiple funding agencies.
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom or Teams, and Adobe applications.
• Experience with university business systems such as eResearch, Business Objects, and related administrative platforms.

• Preferred candidates will have experience supporting a diverse portfolio of sponsors, including NIH, Department of Defense, foundations, industry-sponsored projects, and clinical trials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NIH policies and requirements, including salary cap restrictions, effort…