Research Administrator Intermediate

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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Electrical and Computer Engineering Division (ECE) seeks an experienced research administrator to perform duties related to sponsored pre- and post-award activities. This position requires a proactive individual who will approach the work with a customer service orientation. The research administrator will report to the Research Manager and will work collaboratively with the Research Admin team for ECE.

Research Administrators support Michigan Engineering research projects by coordinating budgets and timelines, securing funding and helping the work stay on track. This is crucial work that enables our research teams to tackle humanity's toughest problems.

To learn more about Research Administration at Michigan Engineering, view our short video here .

Pre-Award Research Administration

Perform pre-award administrative activities for assigned faculty. Assist departmental faculty and researchers with proposal submissions to various federal and non-federal sponsors. Activities include but are not necessarily limited to developing budgets, budget justifications, reviewing and adhering to proposal submission guidelines, online grant systems, preparing Proposal Approval Forms, preparing and maintaining documents for submission packages, preparing just- in-time requests, facilitate the preparation of IDC waiver requests, coordinate cost-share requests and meet multiple overlapping deadlines in support of both internal and external grant submissions.

Post-Award Research Administration

Function as primary contact for faculty, managers, and other staff in a wide range of financial transactions. Reconcile assigned project/grants in a variety of funds including general, gift, recharge, and sponsored research using MReports and Business Objects, prepare monthly reports illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances to make recommendations and take actions to resolve issues. Enforce various sponsored guidelines and university policies and procedures.

Respond to requests for financial information from sponsors. Finalize financial status reports and resolve Uniformed Guidance Monitored Cost issues with Sponsored Programs. Prepare journal entries as required. Review financial reports and alert faculty to areas of concern. Assist with progress reports and manage faculty other support documents.

Administrative Support

Provide backup for administrative duties for assigned group of ~25 faculty, ~12 postdoctoral fellows, and over 100 students. Duties may include travel arrangements, expense reports, conference room reservations, maintaining email lists or websites, escorting guests to/from appointments, set up and clean up of weekly seminars.

Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, plus a minimum of three years experience (one year for associate level) in grant administration or higher-level financial activities
• Prior experience with contract and grant administration or relevant experience in a comparable environment with tight regulatory and compliance requirements
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgement, along with attention to detail and dependability
• Ability to interpret and communicate Department, University, and Sponsor guidelines and policies.
• Demonstrated experience…