Robotics Research Administrator Ld​/Senior

Lead Research Administrator

Become a key contributor to groundbreaking Robotics research by joining our team as a Lead Research Administrator. In this pivotal role, you will report directly to the Unit Administrator and manage a complex portfolio of pre- and post-award activities for an assigned set of Robotics faculty members.

Beyond individual portfolio management, the Lead Research Administrator serves as the operational point person and mentor for the unit's research administration team. Act as the primary technical resource for the RA team by triaging daily inquiries, resolving operational complications, and managing the escalation of complex issues appropriately. This role is vital in establishing technical best practices, standardizing workflows, and fostering a collaborative, positive team culture aligned with the department's broader organizational goals.

This position offers significant growth potential, providing an excellent runway for a high-performing individual to transition into a formal Research Administration Manager role as the department expands.

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.

Provides technical leadership and mentorship to research administrators, serves as a resource for complex research administration issues, supports departmental operations through data analysis and reporting, develops and improves administrative processes, and serves as a liaison between faculty, the College of Engineering, and central University offices.

Partners with faculty to prepare and submit complex sponsored research proposals, develops proposal budgets and supporting documentation, ensures compliance with sponsor and University policies, and manages proposal approvals and research agreements through institutional and sponsor systems.

Provides comprehensive financial management for sponsored projects, gift funds, and startup accounts; monitors budgets and expenditures; advises faculty on financial planning and compliance; coordinates grant-funded personnel appointments and effort reporting; manages award lifecycle activities; and ensures adherence to University, federal, and sponsor regulations.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive grant, finance, and contract research administration experience in an academic setting.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of progressive grant, finance, and contract research administration experience in an academic setting.

• Technical Proficiency:
  Advanced expertise with Excel/Google Sheets, financial management systems (M-Reports, M-Pathways, Business Objects), and eResearch Proposal Management.
• Sponsor Knowledge:
  Demonstrated experience managing complex portfolios involving major federal agencies (e.g., NSF, DoD, DoE) and foundation/industry contracts.
• Professional
  
  Skills:
  
  Exceptional critical thinking, strict attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proven ability to prioritize competing deadlines under tight regulatory constraints.
• Communication &
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with a dedicated customer-service orientation and a proven track record of working respectfully and collaboratively within a team environment.

• 10+ years of comprehensive, progressive research administration experience.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering peer training or technical mentorship.
• Knowledge and application of project management best practices in a…