Research Administrator Senior

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-friendly environment

Job summary

University of Michigan's SABER unit seeks a senior research administrator to oversee pre- and post-award activities, financial management, and coordination with faculty and sponsors. This role reports to the infrastructure manager and collaborates across departments to ensure compliance and efficient processes.

The position offers a fully remote work environment with opportunities to contribute to multiple clinical trials and observational studies within the Biostatistics Department and School

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 5+ years supporting clinical research programs.
• Experience with pre- and post-award processes and government (NIH) grant proposals.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-award activities: proposals, budgets, and approvals.
• Lead post-award activities: financial management, budgeting, effort reporting.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to research administrators and improve processes.
• Coordinate with faculty, sponsors, and University offices for compliance and lifecycle management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

CRA credential

Tools

Budgeting software

Concur

Job description

Job Summary

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care- that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

The Statistical Analysis of Biomedical and Educational Research (SABER) unit is the data coordinating center for several multi-center clinical trials and observational studies. We are a research center located within the Biostatistics Department at the School of Public Health (SPH) on Michigan's central campus. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic staff member to contribute positively to our community. As a research administrator senior, you will perform a wide range of professional financial and research administration duties. The research administrator senior will report to the infrastructure manager and will work directly with faculty, sponsors, and collaboratively with other research administrator(s) at SABER.

SABER prides itself on fostering a collegial, open, and family-friendly work environment, and our team is fully remote.

For more information on SABER, please visit: https://sph.umich.edu/saber/

For more information on the Biostatistics Department, please visit: https://sph.umich.edu/biostat/

Responsibilities*

Pre-award Research Administration Activities Include

• Partner with faculty to prepare and submit complex sponsored research proposals
• Develop proposal budgets and supporting documentation
• Ensure compliance with sponsor and University policies
• Manage proposal approvals and research agreements through institutional and sponsor systems

Post-award Research Administration And Financial Activities Include

• Provide comprehensive financial management for sponsored projects, gift funds, and startup accounts
• Monitor budgets and expenditures
• Advise faculty on financial planning and compliance
• Coordinate grant-funded personnel appointments and effort reporting
• Manage award lifecycle activities
• Ensure adherence to University, federal, and sponsor regulations

Team Leadership, Operational Support And Process Improvement

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to research administrators
• Serve as a resource for complex research administration issues
• Support departmental operations through data analysis and reporting
• Develop and improve administrative processes
• Serve as a liaison between faculty, Michigan Medicine, the School of Public Health, the Department of Biostatistics, and central University offices

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree and 5 or more years of experience supporting clinical research programs as a research administrator
• Ability to analyze, compare, and evaluate various courses of action and have the authority to make independent decisions on matters of significance, free from immediate direction, within the scope of responsibilities
• Experience with pre- and post-award processes
• Experience with government (NIH) grant proposals
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment, and to professionally represent the group to both internal and external staff
• Proven excellent organizational skills, with ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, with continued attention to detail

Desired Qualifications*

• 10+ years of comprehensive, progressive research administration experience
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering peer training or technical leadership
• Knowledge and application of project management best practices in a changing organizational landscape
• Knowledge of UM financial practices, policies, procedures, and regulations, especially regarding procurement, sponsored programs, contract administration, travel/expense reporting, p-card usage, and sponsored billing
• Familiarity and experience with University of Michigan administrative and business tools such as Business Objects, MReports and other MPathways systems, and Concur

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.

Work Locations

This position is eligible for remote work.

Background Screening

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 checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

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.