"Research Administrator Sr"

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced professional to serve as a research administrator to serve as a Research Administrator. This position will be responsible for pre-award and post-award activities. This position requires ability to manage shifting priorities, multitask, and a proactive individual who will approach the work with a customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Support PIs/faculty who conduct research with the pre-award and post-award processes.
• Have a deep understanding of research sponsor agency grant requirements and provide interpretation and policy guidance.
• Develop budget, budget justifications, administrative sections, and subcontracting materials. Advise PI on the most efficient way to achieve an effective, quality proposal and coordinate a timely submission process, ensuring appropriate approvals. Adhere to and monitor project requirement dates and grant preparation guidelines: manage timelines, roles and responsibilities, and preliminary budgets. Provide guidance and counsel for the stewardship of sponsored research funds in partnership with post-award team. Ensure team follows established procedures and compliance with sponsor guidelines as well.
• Complete all necessary forms for all types of submissions. Facilitate internal review process. Prepare PAF and route in eResearch Proposal Management system (eRPM).
• Review and make edits to proposal and support materials for compliance with policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Serve as a resource for PIs/faculty to search for grant and contract opportunities.
• For resubmissions, review scores and suggestions from previous submissions for administrative issues.
• Interface with other institutions, departments, and offices throughout UM to ensure timely submission of complete and correct proposals. Be the liaison for any other stakeholders regarding project needs and logistics.
• Perform compliance reviews of external sponsor proposals at the department level to ensure appropriate treatment of expenses, F&A costs, faculty effort, etc.
• Attend medical school and university meetings to stay fully up to date on grant and contract requirements.
• Coordinate closely with the department Finance leadership to oversee research financials.
• Assist post-award colleague with financial analyses for faculty; meet with them regularly to review their accounts and provide complete outlook of financial portfolios. Work with post-award colleague to proactively anticipate changes in effort and gaps in funding.
• Short- and long-term financial forecasting.
• Assess changes in funding and expenditures to ensure funds are being spent by the deadline without overspending or leaving large balances.
• Effort planning responsibilities, including tracking faculty and staff effort to minimize retroactive appointment changes.
• Provide assistance to faculty with re-budgeting and renewals/extension paperwork.
• Assist with RPPR's or other annual/final reports required by sponsors.
• Facilitate communication with the central offices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a relevant field of study and/or equivalent experience in a health sciences discipline.
• Familiarity with PMCID, biosketches, and other successful grant requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff at all levels and with varying levels of research administration knowledge. Ability to function with diverse teams of people in a diplomatic, collaborative, and effective manner.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point). Skilled with Excel and compiling large datasets.
• Ability to work independently, set goals, and problem-solve. Outstanding organizational skills.
• Senior level: 5+ years of progressive grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Intermediate level: 3+ years of grant and contract experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large center grants is highly desired.
• Finance, STEM, or related degree.
• Master's degree.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Prior experience with various federal and non-federal sponsors strongly preferred.
• Experience with ASSIST platform.
• Knowledge of UM research and financial practices and processes preferred.
• Experience with eResearch electronic PAF and proposal submission.
• Preferred experience with databases, query management tools and University systems, such as Business Objects, M-Reports, Concur, and other M-Pathways systems.