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.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan School of Public Health's Department of Epidemiology uses a multidisciplinary approach to explore reducing and preventing disease in human populations with rigorous research, innovative education, and dedicated service. The Department of Epidemiology is looking for a research administrator to coordinate our pre-award proposal submissions, post-award research needs, and financial transactions. This person will join a dynamic team of research administrators to support our 56 highly productive faculty. Our research portfolio is robust with a variety of sponsors and varying levels of complexity.

Responsibilities*

Pre-award Responsibilities:

• Support faculty research submissions to federal and non-federals sponsors.
• Support assigned faculty in all aspects of their pre-award proposal needs. Review sponsor guidelines, create budget and budget justification documents and other proposal documents.
• Support the internal routing process through eResearch to route the Proposal Approval Form and relevant proposal documents through institutional review.
• Collaborate with faculty on proposal routing process including managing deadlines.
• Review applications for compliance with sponsor, university, and department policies. Communicate effectively with faculty when proposal changes are needed.
• Maintain regularly needed proposal documents like facilities, other support, biosketches, etc.

Post-Award Responsibilities:

• Review assigned project/grant using M-Reports, Business Objects and other tools to ensure appropriate use of all funds. This includes reviewing financial transactions regularly.
• Projecting and updating encumbrances monthly.
• Prepare monthly and ad-hoc reports, illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances.
• Assist with building forecasting reports.
• Project analysis including monitoring appropriateness for grant funding and allowability. Alert project directors to areas of concern. Make recommendations and take actions to resolve issues.
• Responsible for ensuring adherence to sponsored research and university policies and procedures.
• Respond to requests for financial information from sponsors and UM Sponsored Programs.
• Prepare journal entries as required.
• Assist with progress reports and post award change requests.

Procurement:

• Support purchasing needs for the department.
• Process sole source agreements, PeoplePay transactions, and other purchasing requests.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 3 -5 years of experience in grant administration or higher-level financial activities is required for intermediate and 5-7 years experience for senior level. Prior experience with contract and grant administration or relevant experience in a comparable environment with tight regulatory and compliance requirements.

Ability to absorb and disseminate sponsor, university, and department policies and procedures. Demonstrated experience with financial review and analysis. Mastery of Excel and ability to adapt to changing technology and practices. Ability to organize and synthesize complex information about particular financial aspects, resulting in clear and comprehensive summaries.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes