Research Administrator Sr

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental and vision

2:1 Retirement match

Job summary

Michigan Medicine is seeking an experienced Research Administrator to manage pre-award and post-award activities. The role requires handling shifting priorities with a customer-service orientation and coordinating with PIs/faculty and UM departments.

The position emphasizes budget development, compliance with sponsor guidelines, and timely submission processes, with potential for hybrid work arrangements and collaboration across finance and research teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a health sciences discipline or equivalent experience.
• Familiarity with PMCID, biosketches, and grant requirements.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels and with diverse teams.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); strong Excel skills.
• Ability to work independently, set goals, and problem-solve with strong organization.

Responsibilities

• Support PIs/faculty with pre-award and post-award processes.
• Interpret sponsor requirements and provide guidance on policies.
• Develop budgets, budget justifications, and subcontracting materials; advise on efficient proposals.
• Prepare forms and route in eRPM; facilitate internal reviews.
• Review proposals for policy compliance and accuracy.
• Search for grant and contract opportunities for PIs/faculty.
• Coordinate with UM departments to ensure timely submissions.
• Assist with financial analyses and forecast budgets.

Skills

Grant management

Budget development

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Data handling

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor degree in health sciences

Master's degree

Certified Research Administrator (CRA)

Tools

eRPM

ASSIST platform

Business Objects

M-Reports

Concur

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced professional to serve as a Research Administrator. This position will be responsible for pre-award and post-award activities. This position requires ability to manage shifting priorities, multitask, and a proactive individual who will approach the work with a customer service orientation.

Responsibilities*

• Support PIs/faculty who conduct research with the pre-award and post-award processes.
• Have a deep understanding of research sponsor agency grant requirements and provide interpretation and policy guidance.
• Develop budget, budget justifications, administrative sections, and subcontracting materials. Advise PI on the most efficient way to achieve an effective, quality proposal and coordinate a timely submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals. Adhere to and monitor project requirement dates and grant preparation guidelines: manage timelines, roles and responsibilities, and preliminary budgets. Provide guidance and counsel for the stewardship of sponsored research funds in partnership with post-award team. Ensure team follows established procedures and compliance with sponsor guidelines as well.
• Complete all necessary forms for all types of submissions. Facilitate internal review process. Prepare PAF and route in eResearch Proposal Management system (eRPM).
• Review and make edits to proposal and support materials for compliance with policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Serve as a resource for PIs/faculty to search for grant and contract opportunities.
• For resubmissions, review scores and suggestions from previous submissions for administrative issues.
• Interface with other institutions, departments, and offices throughout UM to ensure timely submission of complete and correct proposals. Be the liaison for any other stakeholders regarding project needs and logistics.
• Perform compliance reviews of external sponsor proposals at the department level to ensure appropriate treatment of expenses, F&A costs, faculty effort, etc.
• Attend medical school and university meetings to stay fully up to date on grant and contract requirements.
• Coordinate closely with the department Finance leadership to oversee research financials.
• Assist post-award colleague with financial analyses for faculty; meet with them regularly to review their accounts and provide complete outlook of financial portfolios. Work with post-award colleague to proactively anticipate changes in effort and gaps in funding
• Short- and long-term financial forecasting
• Assess changes in funding and expenditures to ensure funds are being spent by the deadline without overspending or leaving large balances.
• Effort planning responsibilities, including tracking faculty and staff effort to minimize retroactive appointment changes
• Provide assistance to faculty with re-budgeting and renewals/extension paperwork
• Assist with RPPR's or other annual/final reports required by sponsors
• Facilitate communication with the central offices
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor degree in a relevant field of study and/or equivalent experience in a health sciences discipline.
• Familiarity with PMCID, biosketches, and other successful grant requirements
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels and with varying levels of research administration knowledge. Ability to function with diverse teams of people in a diplomatic, collaborative, and effective manner.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point). Skilled with Excel and compiling large datasets.
• Ability to work independently, set goals, and problem-solve. Outstanding organizational skills.

Senior level: 5+ years of progressive grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Intermediate level: 3+ years of grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with large center grants is highly desired.
• Finance, STEM, or related degree
• Master's degree
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
• Prior experience with various federal and non-federal sponsors strongly preferred
• Experience with ASSIST platform
• Knowledge of UM research and financial practices and processes preferred
• Experience with eResearch electronic PAF and proposal submission
• Preferred experience with databases, query management tools and University systems, such as Business Objects, M-Reports, Concur, and other M-Pathways systems

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

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.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

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 anytime 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.