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.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

The Department of Cardiac Surgery at Michigan Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Research Administrator to join our team. This position is responsible for managing the full grant administration lifecycle, with involvement in both pre-award proposal support and comprehensive post-award administrative and financial management.

The selected candidate will lead grant management activities for the department, maintaining oversight of the research portfolio and supporting the continued success of our research enterprise. This role is well-suited for an individual seeking to grow their expertise in research administration and build a strong, specialized skill set that supports long-term career advancement.

The Department of Cardiac Surgery is a national leader in heart, vascular, and stroke care. We are consistently ranked among the top programs in the country and #1 in the state of Michigan. Our research enterprise translates foundational scientific discoveries into improved outcomes for cardiac surgery patients.

Pre-Award Contract and Grant Administration

Pre-Award activities include, but are not limited to: 

• Serve as the primary departmental research administrator, partnering with the Research Administration Specialist to support multiple grants and contracts from various sources with differing project end dates.

• Manage the full proposal lifecycle, from initial planning through final submission, including development of submission timelines and milestone tracking.

• Oversee budget development and administrative components of proposals, ensuring compliance with sponsor, institutional, and departmental guidelines. 

• Serve as a subject matter expert for faculty biosketches and maintain responsibility for keeping them up to date.

• Support the internal routing process through eResearch, including coordination of the Proposal Approval Form (PAF) and institutional approvals. 

• Review proposals for compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and departmental standards.

• Participate in the review, editing, and formatting of required proposal documents.

• Serve as authorized signatory for electronic submissions and assist in resolving submission-related issues.

• Prepare and submit Just-in-Time (JIT) documentation as required by sponsors.

Post-Award Contract and Grant Administration

Post-Award activities include, but are not limited to: 

• Manage and reconcile sponsored research accounts using institutional systems (M-Reports, M-Pathways, HRMS, eReconciliation, Business Objects), ensuring appropriate and allowable use of funds.

• Monitor project expenditures and ensure compliance with university, federal, and sponsor policies. 

• Monitor monthly faculty project grants for all awards, and prepare financial reports including revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances.

• Provide faculty with portfolio-level analysis and guidance on post-award management, and participate in financial meetings.

• Establish and manage new awards, including sub-projects, subcontracts, consulting agreements, cost sharing, and hardship requests.

• Process and coordinate financial transactions such as budget allocations, personnel action requests (PARs), effort adjustments and recertifications, and journal entries.

• Support effort reporting and monitor personnel allocations to ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements.

• Assist with IRB applications, progress reports (RPPRs), award modifications (ACRs), rebudgeting, and extensions.

• Oversee grant closeout activities, including resolution of balances and required financial reporting.

• Coordinate grant transfers and laboratory moves for incoming and outgoing faculty.

• Collaborate with departmental staff and central offices, including ORSP, Sponsored Programs, Medical School GSA, and the Clinical Trial Support Unit.

• Attend PAAC, RAN, and other research administration meetings for professional development and to share updates and best practices within the department.

Additional Expectations

• Provide guidance and training to Research Administration Specialist within the department.

• Share knowledge and best practices across the sponsored project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, service-oriented, and committed to building strong, collaborative relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, university administration, and external sponsors.

• Senior Level: Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of progressive experience in grant and contract administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Intermediate Level: Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience in grant and contract administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service, with the ability to build trust and maintain strong working relationships. 
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while exercising sound judgment. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately. 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe applications.

• Experience supporting pre-award activities, including proposal preparation, submission processes, and familiarity with sponsor submission systems.

• Experience managing grants for both federal and non-federal sponsors, including knowledge of federal regulations, uniform guidance, and cooperative agreements.

• Familiarity with sponsor submission systems.

• Experience managing grants for both federal and non-federal sponsors, including knowledge of federal regulations, uniform guidance, and cooperative agreements.

• Familiarity with complex proposal components such as NIH salary caps, cost sharing, subcontracts, and sub-project allocations.

• Ability to generate, analyze, and clearly present financial and administrative data to a variety of audiences.

• Knowledge of institutional policies and procedures related to sponsored projects and financial management.

• Experience with university systems and tools such as ORSP, UMOR, FINOPS, Business Objects, and Wolverine Access (including HR and financial reporting tools).

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

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.

A hybrid or primarily remote work arrangement may be available for this position. Candidates working in a primarily remote capacity will be expected to come onsite as needed for meetings at the Cardiovascular Center, Mott Children's Hospital, and/or the North Campus Research Complex.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

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.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.