Research Administrator Senior

NAACPJobFinder; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan SABER unit is seeking an experienced Senior Research Administrator to manage a broad range of pre- and post-award financial and research administration duties. This role partners with faculty, sponsors, and other administrators to ensure compliant, efficient operation of sponsored projects.

The position offers remote work with potential hybrid options and involves coordinating with multiple departments, mentoring staff, and improving administrative processes to support the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ 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 within the scope of responsibilities.
• Experience with pre- and post-award processes and government (NIH) grant proposals.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment and to represent the group professionally.
• Proven organizational skills with ability to handle multiple tasks and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Pre-award research administration: collaborate with faculty to prepare complex sponsored proposals; develop budgets; ensure compliance.
• Post-award research administration: manage financials for sponsored projects, gifts, and startup accounts; monitor budgets.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to research administrators; support departmental operations with data analysis and reporting.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty, Michigan Medicine, SPH, Biostatistics, and central University offices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent decision-making

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Business Objects

MReports

MPathways

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 ConcurModes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode

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 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.