Research Administrator Senior

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume and uploaded as one file. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and highlight your experiences that directly relate to this position.

With questions about the position or office please email UMSI's Office of Research at [email protected], for requests for accommodations or support with the application process please email UMSI Human Resources at [email protected].

Who We Are

The School of Information is a progressive, interdisciplinary professional school that offers five academic programs. UMSI delivers innovative, elegant and ethical solutions connecting people, information and technology. The school was one of the first iSchools in the nation and is the premier institution studying and using technology to improve human computer interactions. Our school mission is to create and share knowledge so that people will use information - with technology - to build a better world.

UMSI Office of Research provides expertise in the compliance, administrative requirements, and best practices throughout the grant lifecycle. Our support allows researchers to primarily concentrate on the science and still be excellent stewards of sponsored funds and outcomes. These activities start with strategic, proactive, catalytic, and capacity-building activities early in the lifecycle and continue through the submission, management, and closeout of awards. The office serves as a hub for research-related questions and for navigating research activities at the University.

Job Summary

The School of Information is seeking an experienced Research Administrator Senior to join a dynamic and collaborative team dedicated to supporting faculty research. Reporting to the Director of Research Administration, this individual will:

• Collaborate closely with UMSI faculty and others to handle both pre- and post-award administration for sponsored projects, ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines;
• Contribute to strategic planning and process improvements within the Research Administration team;
• Share expertise to provide mentorship to the research administration team staff to promote professional growth and operational excellence.

This role plays a vital part in advancing faculty research success and fostering a culture of collaboration and compliance.

Please see the full job description and responsibilities.

Responsibilities*

• Pre-Award Proposal Development & Submission: Manage the grant submission process, from initial start to final submission, ensuring all sponsor and university guidelines and deadlines are met. Interpret and apply sponsor, federal, and university policies to ensure proposals are accurate, competitive, and compliant. Develop proposals that include detailed budgets and budget justifications, subawards, effort commitments, biosketches, and compliance components.
• Post-Award Management & Compliance: Work with faculty to process award change requests including rebudgets, no cost time extensions, changes in senior personnel, hardships/mid-project advance accounts, yearly increments, carryforward requests, etc. Meet regularly with faculty to manage sponsored funding, including effort tracking and other support documents.
• Stakeholder Communication & Strategic Advising: Provide mentorship to staff in the research office helping others understand principles, practices, standards, technologies, and procedures. Serve as liaison between faculty, sponsors, and central university offices.
• Oversee Unfunded Agreements: Oversee the processes related to Unfunded Agreements, including intake, unit review, and routing. Facilitate processing and tracking through execution, and closeout, if applicable.
• Compliance Activities: Ensure adherence to research-related compliance requirements. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and compliance officers to provide guidance and resources on regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 5-7 years of relevant research administration experience and/or higher-level financial activities with a proven track record in both proposal submission and award setup and management.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while exercising sound judgment.
• Proficient in conveying complex information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally, to diverse stakeholders.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe applications.

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:

• Generous time off (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days, Family Leave)
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service, with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Tuition support program

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.

This is a hybrid position. You will coordinate your schedule with your supervisor in accordance with school policy. You may be required to travel to multiple locations on and off campus. The main office workspace for this position is located in the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building. Punctual and regular attendance is required. You will be required to work during non-business hours and on weekends based on the requirements for your position.

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position may work with and/or support systems that maintain or process sensitive institutional data as defined by university policy. Successful candidates must comply with federal, state, and local law, and/or university policies or agreements that require the university to implement specific privacy and security safeguards, including but not limited to ITAR, EAR, HIPAA, FERPA, and FISMA. This position is responsible for protecting data and information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; and following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of data internally or externally to the University of Michigan.

Salary Information

The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $92,000. Salary is determined by direct relevant experience and demonstrated past performance results while ensuring equity on our team. While rare, we may offer a salary above the posted range for an exceptionally qualified candidate, considering internal equity and budget. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

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.