Research Administrator
How to Apply
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.
Summary
LSA Finance is a collaborative community that provides various opportunities for professional growth. We offer a pooled training program for all new incoming Research Administrator Associate and Intermediate staff which assigns a dedicated mentor to them to oversee their onboarding and training schedule. The Research Administrator is a key member of the LSA Finance Business Offices. As a Research Administrator you will serve as the financial liaison between faculty and staff, while monitoring grant submissions and informing management of the financial and administrative effects associated with successful awards. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills to partner with colleagues at all levels and within multiple University offices.
Flexible Work Arrangements
As part of the University of Michigan’s Future Work Initiative and LSA Finance’s Flexible Work Arrangements, this position may work on campus or hybrid (both remote and on campus).
Responsibilities*
This position is responsible for coordinating the administrative research process, by assisting with the creation of proposals, including locating relevant materials, formatting and editing, providing assistance with the preparation of multi-year budgets, preparing and assisting with budget justifications, coordinating with internal and external entities as appropriate, and ensuring timely routing of proposals through the institutional approval process.
Post-award activities are primarily financial in nature and will include projecting and updating encumbrances, analysis of faculty accounts, preparing and reviewing financial transactions, and monitoring appropriateness for grant funding and allowability. May compile statistical, financial, accounting or auditing reports and tables pertaining to such matters as journal entries, vouchers, and standard transactions such as expenditures for materials, equipment, support staff and travel. Resolve mid-size compliance-related issues and work with management on larger issues. Provide assistance to faculty with rebudgeting, report preparation, and renewals/extension paperwork.
Assist other team members in the LSA business office as needed. Maintain appropriate communications with faculty, LSA administrators, Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) and Sponsored Programs. Participate in continuous process improvement efforts. Responsible for interpreting regulations and guidelines of internal and external funding. Help document best practices and procedures for research administration.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience. Typically, with
- Associate Level: at least one year of relevant higher level financial activities and/or research administrative experience.
- Intermediate I Level: three years of relevant research administrative experience and/or or higher level financial activities. Prior experience with research administration or relevant experience in a comparable environment with tight regulations and compliance requirements required.
- Progressive knowledge of Excel and other Office products and comfort with changing technology is essential.
- Collaborate effectively with co-workers and work with a diverse group of customers providing excellent customer service.
- Attend to detail, exhibit sound judgment, follow work through to completion, and meet high work standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of deadlines and competing priorities.
- Ability to set priorities and manage competing deadlines is required.
- Excellence in verbal and written communication skills.
- Intermediate I: Works independently to interpret and apply guidelines and policies including Uniform Guidance, budgeting restrictions and sponsored research policies.
- Intermediate I: Independently manage the pre-award and post-award process.
- Intermediate I: Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.