Research Administrator Sr

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Retirement plan with matching

Health insurance

Life insurance

Work-life programs

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry seeks an experienced grant and contracts professional to oversee pre-award and post-award duties, coordinating proposal submissions, budgets, and sponsor communications. This role requires collaboration with faculty, ORSP, and sponsored programs to ensure timely, compliant submissions.

Responsibilities include developing project budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing monthly financial activity reports, and ensuring alignment with sponsor terms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• 5 - 7 years of progressive grant and contract experience.
• Experience with sponsor systems including Fastlane, grants.gov and NIH Commons.
• Experience with research activity and the preparation of sponsored research proposals.
• Ability to work independently with professionalism and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage the submission of research grant proposal materials to private and federal funding agencies.
• Coordinate all aspects of proposal submissions for assigned faculty.
• Prepare administrative components of proposal packages and ensure compliance with sponsor guidelines.
• Communicate with faculty and campus partners to coordinate timely submissions.
• Develop project budgets and advise on budget-related issues.
• Review and reconcile sponsored research accounts and provide monthly financial reports.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with sponsor and UM policies.

Skills

Grant management

Budgeting

Proposal coordination

Compliance awareness

Interpersonal skills

Independent judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

CRA certification

Tools

Fastlane

Grants.gov

NIH Commons

Job description

Job Summary

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, founded in 1875 in Ann Arbor, is a top-ranked, world-renowned institution for dental education, research, and clinical care. It consistently ranks among the top dental schools globally, offering DDS, dental hygiene, and advanced graduate programs, including a unique program for internationally trained dentists.

Please Note

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities

Pre-award Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Manage the submission of research grant proposal materials to private and federal funding agencies including interpreting regulations and guidelines of multiple and varied sponsors regarding proposal materials and budgeting.
• Provide comprehensive coordination of all aspects of proposal submissions for assigned faculty
• Prepare all administrative components of the proposal package including the Proposal Award Form (PAF) utilizing eResearch and at times sponsor systems ensuring that proposals are complete and in compliance with sponsor and University guidelines
• Communicate with faculty/principal investigator and with campus partners to coordinate a timely submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals;
• Develop project budgets and advise on budget-related issues;
• Serve as the liaison with sponsor, collaborators and ORSP/Sponsored.

Programs Post-award Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Review, understand and communicate sponsor award terms and conditions;
• Review and reconcile account activity for sponsored research accounts and UM-funded research accounts;
• Provide monthly financial activity reports to PIs;
• Identify accounting errors and prepare paperwork for corrective action;
• Ensure compliance with sponsor and UM policies regarding expenditures and communicate concerns about allowable expenses to PIs;
• Track cost sharing commitments and monitor expenditure of funds to ensure fulfillment of cost sharing obligations;
• Track personnel budgeted effort and make salary distribution changes as needed;
• In partnership with ORSP and Sponsored Programs work to complete various post-award responsibilities including: Processing of award change requests, completing budget re-allocations, submitting reports (RPPR's, FSR's Uniform Guidance etc.);
• Establish sub-accounts for projects when needed; Work extensively with other UM research administrators to establish and monitor sub-account activity;
• Submit paperwork to Office of Contract Administration to establish subcontracts with external institutions;
• Assist with submission of yearly non-competing renewals, interim reports, and final reports, ensuring timely submission to ORSP and sponsor;
• Monitor reporting requirements for all sponsored research grants and facilitate PI compliance with reporting requirements;
• Monitoring grant expenditures and making financial recommendations to faculty/staff regarding research expenditure;

Other

• Flexibly and proactively assist other team members as needed, recommend best practices for team, and maintain electronic filing systems.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• 5 - 7 years of progressive grant and contract experience.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills including the ability to work separately with faculty and staff in a diverse environment.
• Experience with sponsor systems including Fastlane, grants.gov and NIH Commons.
• Experience with research activity and the preparation of sponsored research proposals.
• Considerable experience working in a customer focused, team oriented, fluid environment with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and attention to detail.
• Must be able to work independently in a responsible, sensitive and confidential manner using independent judgement and professionalism.
• Effective verbal and written communications.

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing research portfolios including using University provided tools for management of portfolios (M-Pathways, MReports, Business Objects, etc.).
• Knowledge of university accounting principles and applications.
• Adept at working independently and collaboratively.
• Certified Research Administration (CRA) certification.

Why Work at Michigan?

The School of Dentistry is consistently ranked as the #1 dental school in the United States and the world. We embrace diversity in many forms and champion diversity of thought and culture. Our Mission, core values, and additional information about our school can be found on our website. The University of Michigan also offers comprehensive benefits to help you stay well and to support you as you plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Benefits

• Generous paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental leave.
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after the first year of employment.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Work-life programs to strengthen a workplace culture that supports personal and family life, including child care, elder care, lactation resources, and mental and emotional health services.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

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 Schedule

This is a hybrid position with work completed onsite and remote. Current practice is one day per month onsite which is subject to change at any time.

Work Locations

This position is located at the School of Dentistry at 1011 N University Ave.

Additional Information

We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for everyone. As part of the onboarding process, all candidates are required to submit their immunization records to Occupational Health Services (OHS) prior to their appointment start date to verify their immunization status. The process includes completing a two-step TB test for all new hires and providing proof of Hepatitis B immunization for clinic-facing roles. Additional immunizations may be necessary based on public health guidance or specific job responsibilities.

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.