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A cover letter is required for consideration for the position described in this posting and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should 1) address your areas of interest and qualifications within the range of opportunities described, and 2) include a paragraph outlining your approach and commitment towards creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive atmosphere within your work environment.
Summary
We seek an experienced, enthusiastic, organized, team-focused research administrator to support the initiatives of our center. They will be responsible for:
- Respond to a wide array of urgent research-related requests from Faculty and other research staff within the Center and provide oversight for all facets of pre- and post-award activities.
- Provide expert advice, assistance and overall direction in organizing, and coordinating the submission of large and complex multi-disciplinary grant applications, which includes establishing the timeline, soliciting materials from other UM units and other university/external collaborators, meeting with the participating faculty to review materials and processes, and ensuring the timely submission of the proposal.
- Lead in the establishment and implementation of research policies and administrative procedures for the Survey Research Center in consultation with the Assistant Director.
- Review faculty COI disclosure submissions for completeness with respect to Federal "Other Support" reporting. Advise faculty and staff on COI/COC reporting requirements and timelines.
- Apply comprehensive knowledge of research administration and compliance to independently manage Center level review and approval of SRC proposals, subcontracts, ACRs, and Hardship accounts. Review and recommend actions on UFAs, AARs and advise Assistant Director on complex proposal requests.
- Serve as faculty and University liaison with sponsors and assist with annual reports, final financial statements, renewals, no-cost time extensions, IRB renewals, and project supplements in accordance with sponsor regulations and guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with federal, University, unit/department policies and procedures, including the protection of human subjects.
- Assist with establishing subcontracts with collaborating institutions.
- Financial management of all types of funds (sponsored, non-sponsored, gift and student financial funds) including projecting longer term financial and staffing information and creating projections for the SRC's annual reporting process.
- May provide general accounting support such as monitoring payroll reports for improper charges and taking steps to correct, as needed; preparing journal entries, purchase order requisitions, and payment requests, and track their progress to completion via M-Pathways.
- Advise PRS of potential overruns and assist in correcting the problems.
- Prepare frequent cost monitoring, forecasting, reconciling, and analysis reports for a variable number of active sponsored projects and overhead accounts ranging in complexity from moderately complex to extremely complicated.
- Provide ongoing training and orientation on pre- and post-award grant administration to both junior and senior administrators within SRC and the Institute.
- Provide functional supervision in pre-award administration for staff shared between the SRC Director's Office and SRC units.
As a member of the Director's Office, assists the directors with plans to expand the research portfolio within the center, including the addition of new staff and faculty researchers.
The position reports to the Assistant Director of SRC.
If you join SRC, you will become an integral part of the highly functioning network of research administration professionals with broad responsibilities/expectations for managing pre- and post-award activities in support of the center's overall research enterprise and its research faculty. SRC administrators meet monthly to review and provide feedback to administrative policy and procedural changes, discuss issues that impact the centers within SRC, and network with others for support and information sharing. You will represent the Director's Office to the SRC, the ISR, university, sponsors, and the research community.
Who We Are
This position is located in the Survey Research Center (SRC) Director's Office. SRC is the largest of five research centers within the Institute of Social Research (ISR). Since its inception in 1946, SRC has been an important source of innovation in survey research methodology. The Center is recognized for its contributions to the development of new survey methods and for its contributions to a fundamental understanding of the survey process. The University of Michigan has a legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). ISR is a community of staff and faculty whose contributions are understood not necessarily to be the same, but to be equally valuable. The Survey Research Center models these values and commitments in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as a social science, business, public health or public policy
- Five or more years of progressive grant and contract administrative experience, preferably in an academic or research environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Significant experience managing federal grants including research performance progress reports (RPPRs) in Research.gov, eRA Commons, or similar sponsor systems
- Comprehensive knowledge of the policies and procedures of various government and private funding agencies, and continual monitoring of updates and changes to their policies and procedures
- Experience working in financial management in a professional setting
- Expert knowledge of M-Pathways financial module or a comparable enterprise-level HR/financial management system
- A documented history of working well as part of a team or working independently, especially under pressure of deadlines
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Proven analytic problem solver
- Advanced skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities effectively
- Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Evidence of administrative independence
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's degree in a relevant field, such as a social science, business, public health or public policy
- Seven or more years of progressive grant and contract administrative experience, preferably in an academic or research environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Knowledge of UM financial practices, policies, procedures, and regulation regarding sponsored programs and contracts administration
- PEERRS certification
- University of Michigan Navigate training
- Research Administrator certification from an accredited organization
- Familiar with ISR policies and procedures
Work Schedule
The position will work a minimum of 32 hours per week and may be eligible to work up to 40 hours per week.
Work Locations
This position will be on-site at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible scheduling and remote opportunities as made available within our overall Center policies.
Additional Information
The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to employ a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.
Benefits
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M 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; retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits.
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
Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.