Research Administrator I

Michigan State University College of Engineering; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University College of Engineering seeks a Post Award and Research Administration professional to manage post-award activities, budget oversight, and reporting for sponsored programs.

You will serve as a primary departmental resource for financial management, coordinate subcontract reporting, and ensure compliance with sponsor and university regulations in a flexible remote-friendly environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with data analysis, forecasting, and financial reports.
• Essentials of Research Administration certificate or equivalent within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides post-award administration for ~100 grants, contracts, and sponsored research awards.
• Manages budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Acts as EBS Fiscal Officer for research grant accounts; audits records for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinates subcontract administration and reporting with sponsors and university offices.
• Oversees effort certification and cost-sharing for salary and fringe benefits.
• Advises investigators on allowable costs, extensions, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains electronic research records and verifies asset reporting.
• Delivers training and guidance on research administration processes.

Skills

Budget monitoring

Financial reporting

Data analysis

Dashboard development

Compliance

Education

Four-year degree in Business Administration/Finance or related field

Tools

MS Excel

Word processing

Database software

Job description

Position Summary

Post Award and Research Administration Services

• Provides post-award administration for approximately 100 grants, contracts, and sponsored research awards, including contract execution, account setup, activation, and closeout activities.
• Serves as the primary departmental resource for post-award financial management, including budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliation, financial reporting, invoicing, and stewardship of sponsored project funds.
• Acts as an EBS Fiscal Officer for research grant accounts, reviewing and approving research-related financial, procurement, payroll, and human resource transactions; auditing records for accuracy and compliance; and resolving discrepancies with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinates subcontract administration and serves as a liaison between sponsoring agencies, investigators, and university offices to facilitate project administration and required reporting.
• Coordinates effort certification and cost-sharing activities, including calculation, processing, monitoring, and reporting of salary and fringe benefit cost-share commitments.
• Reviews research award terms and conditions and advises investigators and staff on allowable costs, budget expenditures, no-cost extensions, financial management, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides independent analysis and resolution of complex research administration, financial, compliance, and operational issues by applying expertise in university, sponsor, and governmental requirements.
• Maintains complete and accurate electronic research records, including award documentation, financial records, human resource transactions, reports, and account activity.
• Monitors and verifies capital assets and research equipment acquisitions, transfers, fabrication projects, inventory requirements, and related reporting obligations.
• Participates in special projects and other research administration activities as assigned.

Research Compliance and Training

• Conducts compliance reviews of active and closed research accounts to ensure adherence to sponsor requirements, federal regulations, university policies, and internal controls; identifies issues and recommends corrective actions.
• Serves as Departmental Effort Administrator, overseeing effort certification processes and validating salary distributions and cost‑sharing allocations charged to sponsored projects.
• Ensures departmental compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable research administration regulations.
• Coordinates and prepares documentation required for internal audits, external audits, sponsor reviews, and site visits.
• Assists investigators and departmental leadership with research compliance monitoring, project closeout activities, and evaluation of research program performance.
• Develops and delivers training and guidance to faculty and staff on research administration processes, financial reports, compliance requirements, and sponsored project management.

Other Duties as Assigned with the scope of duties in this job classification

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four‑year college degree program in Business Administration, Finance, or a research‑related field; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in one or more of the research process areas of pre‑or post‑award processes, such as regulatory administration; experience in word processing, spreadsheet and database software; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. The job also requires: completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Three or more years of post‑award research administration experience in a higher education or research‑intensive environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations governing sponsored research.
• Experience with data analysis, financial forecasting, and dashboard or report development.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 References

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://www.chemistry.msu.edu/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote‑friendly. Remote‑friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends August 25, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.