[Remote] Research Administrator

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The University of Michigan is a leading institution that develops talent and technologies to address societal challenges. They are seeking an experienced research administrator to manage sponsored pre- and post-award activities, working collaboratively with faculty and the Research Admin team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Assist departmental faculty and researchers with proposal submissions to various federal and non-federal sponsors ensuring deadlines are met
• Developing budgets and budget justifications including coordinating cost-share requests and assisting with IDC waiver requests when needed
• Reviewing and adhering to proposal submission guidelines
• Facilitating or completing sponsor forms
• Preparing Proposal Approval Forms
• Preparing and maintaining documents for submission packages including preparing just-in-time requests
• Serve as liaison for faculty with College of Engineering and University central offices (i.e. Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP)
• Review assigned project/grants in a variety of funds including general, gift, recharge, and sponsored research using MReports, Business Objects and other tools
• This includes reviewing financial transactions
• Projecting and updating encumbrances
• Faculty portfolio analysis including monitoring appropriateness for grant funding and allowability
• Alert project directors and administration to areas of concern
• Make recommendations and take actions to resolve issues
• Responsible for ensuring adherence to various sponsored research and university policies and procedures
• Prepare monthly reports, illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances
• Respond to requests for financial information from sponsors
• Review and facilitate Financial status reports (FSRs) and complete Uniformed Guidance (UG) Reports with Sponsored Programs
• Prepare journal entries as required
• Assist with financial progress reports
• Work with faculty to ensure students are fully funded each term
• Work with faculty to ensure offset requirements are met
• Participate in continuous process improvement efforts
• Help document best practices and procedures for research administration

Skills

• Bachelor degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 1 year of experience in grant administration or higher-level financial activities is required
• Prior experience with contract and grant administration or relevant experience in a comparable environment with tight regulatory and compliance requirements
• Excellent communication skills are required
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment, along with attention to detail and dependability are essential
• Ability to interpret and communicate Department, University, and Sponsor guidelines and policies
• Demonstrated experience with multi-project financial review and analysis, with the ability to track and project financial activity and commitments
• Knowledge of U-M financial practices and processes strongly preferred
• Prior experience with federal funding agencies such as NSF, DOD and DoE strongly preferred
• Mastery of Excel and ability to adapt to changing technology is essential
• Must have the ability to work in a team environment, collaborate effectively with co-workers, and provide excellent customer service
• Ability to organize and synthesize complex information about particular financial aspects, resulting in clear and comprehensive summaries
• Candidates will need to exhibit sound judgment, follow work through to completion, and meet high work standards, as well as the ability to set priorities and manage competing deadlines
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills is essential
• Demonstrated experience in the use of Business Objects and M-Pathways
• Three-plus years of progressively responsible grant management experience
• Previous experience with the U-M eResearch Proposal Management system
• Previous experience with data mining in MPathways, Business Objects, and other complimentary systems is desired

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
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Company Overview