Career Center

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering, a dual-school department, is seeking an experienced Research Administrator to join their Office of Research Administration. This office of five team members is responsible for all pre and post award research administration support. While this position is intended to provide both pre and post award support, a strong candidate with experience in only pre or post will be considered. Please note, this position maybe offered as an underfill at the Intermediate level if the preferred candidate is lacking sufficient experience to be considered for the Senior title.

The department is committed to providing a positive team environment that is supportive of staff and their needs. The research office focuses on providing a high level of customer service and enjoys working with some of the nicest faculty on campus. Hybrid and remote work options will be determined based on each individual’s needs and preferences.

**Higher salary possible for an exceptional candidate.

Pre-award duties including preparing budgets, grant applications, proposals, and unfunded agreements ensuring agency and university guidelines and timelines are met. Provide a high level of customer service to faculty and colleagues across campus and other partner institutions. Interpret regulations and sponsor guidelines of funding.

Post-award duties including PACRs, financial reporting, processing and tracking subcontracts, tracking cost- share obligations, account review, UG Reports, spend down plans, FSRs, etc. Work with faculty each term to determine grad student funding and update database accordingly. Work with faculty to ensure they meet department offset requirements. Update department finance database with project balances. Reconcile assigned accounts including general, designated, gift and sponsored fund types on a monthly basis and ensure compliance with College of Engineering/Medical School and sponsor guidelines; investigate and resolve any issues.

• Develop and run queries using Business Objects in the Financial Data Warehouse and prepare reports including forecasting.

• Request and open non-sponsored accounts.

• Prepare no cost time extension and other post award change requests. Create and process journal entries.

• Review and approve purchase requests.

• Prepare responses to inquiries; assist with the preparation of various financial reports and documents.

• Send faculty monthly financial summaries or balance reports and meet with faculty regularly.

• Prepare financial reports for sponsors as needed. 

• Serve as a liaison with Department, CoE Dean's office and Sponsored Programs.

• Must demonstrate strong customer service skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of the team.

Senior Level:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• 5+ years of total accounting/finance work experience.

• A minimum of 3-5 years of post-award research administration experience is required, with proven high performance and a thorough understanding of the job responsibilities.

• Advanced Excel skills, Business Objects, M-Reports, and M-Pathways skills.

• Experience managing projects from a wide variety of sponsors including National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, industry contracts, and clinical trials.

• Experience tracking effort and requesting effort changes on research projects, initiating journal entries, processing re-budget requests.

• Possess a strong understanding of University procurement policies, including business travel and hosting expense guidelines.

• Advanced understanding of post-award research administration and policies, including Uniform Guidance restrictions and experience ensuring compliance with expenditures on research projects.

• Retain a high sense of ownership and accountability for workload; be flexible and resilient in the face of change.

• Provide excellent customer service; exercise outstanding independent judgement with the ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational and problem solving skills.

• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, with high attention to detail.

Intermediate Level:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.

• 2-5 years of accounting/finance work experience, preferably in research administration or project management.

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to work independently or as a member of our team.

• Excellent attendance, ability to multi-task, prioritize and exercise good judgement is a must.

• Proficient in the use of Windows based programs and University systems (M-Pathways, Business Objects).

• Familiarity with University research administration accounting systems, policies and procedures.

• CRA certification is a plus, but not required.

• Knowledge of UM financial practices and processes strongly preferred.

• Prior experience with federal funding agencies such as NIH, NSF, DoD, DARPA.

• Demonstrated experience with university business tools such as Business Objects, M-Reports, , Concur, procurement, electronic timekeeping, and other tools which would ensure effective oversight of sponsored projects.

This position may be underfilled at the intermediate level depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.  If it is filled at the senior level, a higher salary may be considered for an exceptionally-qualified candidate.

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.

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.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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