Research Administrator Lead

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) invites applications for a senior grant and contract professional to join the LSA Research Office. You will review proposals for compliance, advise project teams, and help ensure high-quality submissions to major sponsors and internal systems.

You will develop deep knowledge of sponsors such as NSF, NIH, DoD, NASA, and others, coordinate with ORSP, and mentor research administrators to improve processes and outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 7+ years of progressive grant and contract experience
• Experience with federal agencies (NSF, NIH, NASA, DoD) and non-federal sponsors
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize deadlines
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication

Responsibilities

• Provide detailed college-level review of proposals for compliance with university and sponsor requirements and for alignment with eRPM
• Maintain deep understanding of sponsors such as NSF, NIH, DoD, NASA
• Communicate effectively to faculty and project teams regarding sponsor requirements and suggested changes
• Review complex sponsor guidelines to interpret solicitation requirements and ensure compliance
• Liaise with ORSP to coordinate submission requirements
• Provide sponsor-specific updates, resources, and training to faculty and research staff
• Act as a resource on technical aspects of proposal development
• Develop processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in reviews
• Mentor research administrators to promote learning and skill development

Skills

Grant management

Communication skills

Project prioritization

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

The University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) is the largest of U-Ms 19 schools and colleges. LSA has a diverse research portfolio that encompasses research in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. With nearly 800 external grant proposal submissions per year, we are looking for a well-qualified individual to join our proposal review team in the LSA Research Office to ensure compliant, quality proposal submissions. The proposal review team is responsible for reviewing proposals, advising project teams, and providing resources and guidance to LSA project teams.

Responsibilities*

• Provide detailed college-level review of proposals; review proposal documents for compliance with university and sponsor requirements as well as for congruence with the eResearch Proposal Management system (eRPM)
• Maintain a deep understanding of assigned sponsors, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), etc.
• Communicate effectively and knowledgeably to faculty and project teams regarding sponsor requirements and suggested changes to proposal or routing documents
• Review complex sponsor guidelines to accurately interpret solicitation requirements to ensure proposal compliance and offer guidance to project teams
• Liaise with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP) as necessary to coordinate proposal submission requirements
• Provide sponsor-specific updates, resources, and training to faculty and LSA community of research administrators
• Act as a resource within the College on technical aspects of proposal development
• Develop processes and procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in proposal reviews
• Serve as a mentor to research administrators to ensure opportunities for shared learning and development of skills throughout the organization

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree required; 7+ years of progressive grant and contract experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Prior experience working with federal agencies, such as NSF, NIH, NASA, and DoD, as well as non-federal sponsors
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work based on competing deadlines
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with strong attention to detail; ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written form

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.

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 remotely but will require individuals to come to campus as needed for training, meetings, team building, and to foster intentional collaboration.

Work Locations

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 remotely but will require individuals to come to campus as needed for training, meetings, team building, and to foster intentional collaboration.

Additional Information

The posting range for this position is $100,000- $ 107,700; a higher salary may be possible for well-qualified candidates.

As one of the worlds great liberal arts and sciences colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.