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UM-Dearborn is a public university and regional campus of the University of Michigan, receiving its own funding and budget from the State of Michigan, as well as independent accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The growth and impact of UM-Dearborn's research portfolio is a priority for leadership, and significant growth in research activity during the past few years has earned the campus the R2 Carnegie designation, indicating high research spending and doctorate production.

The UM-Dearborn Office of Research operates as a central administrative service unit, assisting campus faculty to seek, secure, and manage externally sponsored funding for their research projects. Serving more than 20 disciplines across the 4 colleges at UM-Dearborn, this position offers a unique opportunity for exposure to a broad range of sponsors and project types, with an interesting variety of work not found in positions that are isolated in an individual department.

UM-Dearborn employees enjoy the same benefits programs as all University of Michigan employees including:

• Generous time off through vacation, sick, holiday, and season days
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions
• Choices for health, dental, vision, prescription drug, and life insurance options
• Long-term disability coverage

In addition, UM-Dearborn offers tuition scholarship programs for employees and their dependents who are enrolled in eligible courses at UM-Dearborn.

The Research Administrator Senior will be a key contributor to the office, and reports to the Director of Research Administration. This position will perform a broad range of research administration duties, working directly with faculty, campus administrators, and central U-M offices. The ideal candidate will have cradle-to-grave experience providing both pre- and post- award support, although the current need is focused more on pre-award and proposal preparation. This position currently has a hybrid work mode that is primarily remote but with on-site activity approximately monthly.

Although the current need for staffing is primarily related to pre-award activities, this position may have duties that include but are not limited to the following--

Pre-Award
Duties focus on assisting faculty in UM-Dearborn's four colleges to request and receive funding from a broad range of external sources including federal, state, corporate, industry, foundation, and non-profit sponsors by coordinating the proposal process (preparation, routing, and submission of funding requests of varying complexity) as well processing awards through institutional channels when they are received. Related tasks include:

• Creation of timelines and list of requirements to guide Principal Investigators in the preparation of their proposal or application documents
• Development of proposal budgets and justifications that align with sponsor guidelines and university policies
• Collection and assembly of proposal documents and related application materials
• Completion of required internal and external forms and processes using U-M and sponsor systems
• Use of checklists to review proposals for completeness and administrative compliance prior to university central review and approval for submission to sponsors
• Timely routing of proposals to meet internal and external deadlines
• Communication with faculty, administrators, ORSP, and Sponsored Programs related to assigned proposals
• Processing of just-in-time requests and award notices

Post-Award
Duties focus on providing support for financial and non-financial management of sponsor awards and funding by regular monitoring of budgets and spending, projecting expenses, and providing guidance for the stewardship of funds within allowability, as well as processing award changes as needed. Related tasks include:

• Account reconciling, review of spending, and error correction including regular meetings with project directors to review account status, provide projections, and offer guidance
• Initiation of processes such as external subcontracts, internal subprojects, budget allocations, journal transfers
• Managing non-financial award needs such as time extensions and personnel updates
• Communication with faculty, department staff, and central offices to resolve issues, alerting project directors and administration to areas of concern
• Completing project closeout actions including review and resolution of final financial status reports, monitoring outstanding revenue, and reporting items of concern

General Administration
All members of the Office of Research administrative team contribute to general office operations and administration by:

• Assisting with maintaining up-to-date training/guidance materials for faculty and staff
• Attending meetings, training, and workshops to remain informed of changing federal, sponsor, university, and departmental policies, processes, and procedures
• Participating in approved service, volunteer, and professional development opportunities to gain a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience

The Research Administrator Senior is expected to be proactive in tasks to which they are assigned, take initiative to identify and act on issues as they arise, and independently work to accomplish assignments with minimal supervision and should meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a business field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 3 years of continuous experience in a research administrator position
• Experience with grants.gov and other sponsor systems preparing complex proposals including subawards, task-based budgets, and cost sharing
• Detailed knowledge of relevant regulations, including federal Uniform Guidance, with the ability to interpret and apply sponsor and University guidelines
• Demonstrated attention to detail, sound judgment, and follow-through
• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and meet deadlines 
• High level of resourcefulness, investigative skills, and tolerance for ambiguity
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Excel, Word, and Google applications, and comfort with changing technologies
• Excellent communication skills and ability to develop effective working relationships

• Proficient knowledge of U-M systems eResearch Proposal Management and M-Reports is strongly preferred
• Experience managing proposals and awards with NSF, DOE, DOD, and NIH and using Research.gov, ARPA-e, EERE, and PAMS
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential

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 position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Research Administrator Intermediate Required Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 1 year of continuous experience in a research administrator position
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships
• Experience with grants.gov and preparing a variety of proposal and application types
• Basic knowledge of relevant regulations, including federal Uniform Guidance
• Attention to detail, follow-through, and ability to prioritize
• Ability to find and apply information related to performing job duties
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Excel, Word, and Google applications, and comfort with changing technologies
• Excellent communication skills

Research Administrator Intermediate salary range is $63,500-$66,750; Research Administrator Senior salary range is $66,750-$70,000. A slightly higher salary may be considered for an exceptionally qualified candidate meeting desired qualifications at the Senior level.

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