Research Services Associate

Michigan Technological University; Houghton (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Technological University’s Frontiers Research Institute (FRI) seeks a professional to join the research administration team. The role supports pre- and post-award processes, budgets, and reporting, with a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Ideal candidates will manage multiple tasks, maintain attention to detail, and collaborate across university units to advance research growth. Flexible, team-focused, and safety-conscious work culture emphasized.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating multiple research tasks including budgets and client/project support.
• Proficiency in MS Office, Adobe products, and web-based productivity tools.
• Experience coordinating and leading people and processes to meet objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive research support services including pre-award support, reviewing funding opportunities, budgeting and budget justification development, content review and formatting, and post-award project management with financial tracking.
• Work independently to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, coordinating with staff to establish protocols for research support.
• Maintain a professional, efficient environment for colleagues, research clients, and students; adapt processes to evolving needs of FRI and affiliated centers.
• Utilize systems (BANNER, WebFocus, Perceptive Content, Cayuse, ASPIRE) to track data and prepare routine and ad hoc reports for operation and reporting needs.
• Analyze information and independently resolve problems to support timely research delivery; escalate as needed.

Skills

Budgeting

Project coordination

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

MS Office

Adobe products

Google Workspace

BANNER

WebFocus

Perceptive Content

Cayuse

ASPIRE

Job description

Job No: 26191
Department: Frontiers Research Institute
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Houghton, MI)
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time
Categories: Administrative/Business/Professional
Applications Close:

Ensured Consideration Date: October 8, 2026

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

Summary

The Frontiers Research Institute (FRI) is a Tier 1 multi-disciplinary research Institute at Michigan Tech that provides comprehensive research support services to researchers across all colleges and administrative units at the University. Existing affiliated Centers that FRI administers include the Institute of Materials Processing (IMP), the Michigan Tech Aerospace Engineering Research Center (MARC), the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), and Research and Innovation in STEAM Education (RISE).

The Frontiers Research Institute is looking for a professional to join the research administration team to support continued research growth. Ideal candidates are those who demonstrate flexibility in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, have strong attention to detail, thrive in a team-based environment, and are successful in navigating a fast-paced environment that is highly deadline driven.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Provide comprehensive research support services including pre-award support, which involves supporting the research process by working with the research team, Sponsored Programs Office, and other University business units; reviewing funding opportunities for submission requirements; budget and budget justification development; content review and formatting; and post-award project management including financial tracking and reporting.
2. Work independently to manage the workflow of multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, track and manage deadlines, and work with other research support staff to establish organizational protocols and processes for research support services.
3. Maintain a professional, efficient, safe, and welcoming environment for colleagues, research clients, and students. Adapt processes and procedures to the diverse roles and evolving needs of FRI and its affiliated Centers.
4. Utilize BANNER, WebFocus, Perceptive Content, Cayuse, and ASPIRE to track research and financial data. Identify and prepare routine and ad hoc reports that assist in the operation and reporting needs of the Institute and the affiliated Centers.
5. Analyze information and independently resolve problems in the efficient delivery of research services; resolve, elevate, or route incoming requests appropriately. Seek solutions to support timely research delivery.
6. Anticipate the operational needs and deadlines and work with leadership to assist in the execution of short- and long-term goals of the organization.
7. Develop and maintain a collegial relationship with staff in other departments / units / institutes / centers towards maintaining a productive research support network.
8. Participate in meetings and serve as an organizational representative on committees, if requested.
9. Support the planning and organization of unit functions, retreats, receptions, social gatherings, conferences, and guest speakers.
10. Integrate safety practices into daily activities and commit to learning and applying continuous improvement strategies to everyday work.
11. Contribute as a member of FRI’s research administration team, taking responsibility for your work assignments, participating as a team member, and providing back-up as needed to support others in their assignments towards research growth for the University.
12. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
13. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
14. Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience

• Relevant experience organizing and coordinating multiple research tasks including budgets, personnel documents, and supporting information for various clients/projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in advanced features of standard office software, such as MS Office and Adobe products and web-based productivity resources, such as Google Workspace.
• Experience coordinating and leading people and processes to meet desired objectives.

Desirable Education and/or Experience