Senior Research Administrator

University of Michigan; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit (UMCI) seeks a Senior Research Administrator to manage the full spectrum of pre- and post-award grant activity. You will coordinate budgets, timelines, and sponsor requirements across diverse awards, ensuring compliance with university policies and federal regulations.

As a member of the Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations team, you will support faculty and staff across education, workforce development, and regional innovation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years progressive grant and contract administration experience.
• Expertise in pre- and post-award management, with knowledge of federal guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the pre-award submission process, coordinating documentation, budgets, timelines, and sponsor requirements.
• Advise leadership on proposal development, including multi-site budgets and supporting documentation.
• Ensure all proposal information complies with sponsor terms, UM policy, and federal regulations before routing in eRPM.
• Provide proactive financial oversight for a portfolio of grants, including monthly reconciliations and forecasting.
• Review invoices and manage post-award changes, subcontracts, and closeouts.
• Assist with ad hoc process improvements and general duties as assigned.

Skills

Grant administration

Pre-award management

Post-award management

Federal guidelines

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

You will serve as a crucial team member in a new U-M initiative, the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit (UMCI). You will handle various timelines and responsibilities associated with a variety of sponsors in both pre- and post-award activities, with a particular knowledge of federal grant and internal University of Michigan guidelines. Ability to achieve a high level of multitasking and prioritizing to concurrently manage multiple awards with varying degrees of complexity. You will independently manage the pre- and post-grant award administrative processes.

You will be part of the Strategic Partnerships and Industry Relations team reporting to UMCI's Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships and Development and work with other teams within and across UMCI to provide grant-related administrative support across the center. Working as a senior research administrator at UMCI will provide you with the rather unique experiences of working for U-M in the Detroit ecosystem, supporting faculty and staff who are engaged in Master's level education, workforce development, and world-class K-12 STEAM instruction, as well as advancing regional job creation and innovation strategies.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Award Activity (60%):
  • Oversee the grant submission process, from initial start and decision making to final submission, including coordination and preparation of necessary documentation, budget development, application, and timelines for various components of proposals
  • Review sponsor guidelines and accurately interpret solicitation requirements for application with university policies
  • Advise leadership and investigators on all aspects of proposal development, including sponsor requirements, complex multi-site budgets, budget justifications, and other supporting documentation
  • Ensure proposal information is accurate and complete including all needed supporting documentation, and complies with sponsor terms, UMCI Detroit, University policies/procedures and relevant federal regulations or other requirements before routing through the eResearch Proposal Management (eRPM) system
  • Coordinate proposal requirements with additional internal and external participants, as well as interact and coordinate with appropriate U-M research office staff. Maintain confidential information when needed
  • Support writing and materials development for grant submission
• Post-Award Activity (35%):
  • Provide proactive, high-level financial oversight for a portfolio of grants and contracts, performing monthly reconciliations and forecasting financial viability over the long term
  • Monitor expenditures for allowability and compliance with university and sponsor rules, such as federal Uniform Guidance
  • Review and reconcile awards across cost share and sponsored research funds using MReports, Business Objects, and other tools; analyze and prepare recommendations for needed journal entries and PAR transactions, track and record encumbrances, coordinating with accounting and HR for processing. Prepare monthly reports with revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances, manage subcontracts, subprojects, and process post‑award changes and closeouts. Advise the Associate Director and principal investigators (PIs) on financial strategy and potential issues
  • Manage standard reports and requests for financial information from the sponsor, sponsored programs, and subcontract sites, along with processing any sponsor carry forward/no cost extension requests
  • Review of invoices and timely billing
• General Duties (5%):
  • Contribute to process improvements at UMCI
  • Other general duties, as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years progressive grant and contract administration experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Expertise in pre- and post-award management, with knowledge of federal guidelines

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Benefits

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• 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 Locations

This position may work remotely or choose to work in the Detroit UMCI office. If working remotely, individuals will be required to come to campus as needed for training, meetings, team building, and to foster intentional collaboration.

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.