Research Administration Manager

How to Apply

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.

Summary

As Research Manager, you will oversee the complete administrative research process for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This includes pre- and post- award activities. You will provide management to 7-9 Research Administrators and provide research administration for a set of faculty. You will report to the Finance Manager.

Mechanical Engineering allows Research Administration staff to work primarily remote schedules.

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/.

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan 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
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave
  
  
  

Responsibilities*

Management-related Responsibilities May Include

• Oversee the Research Administrative team supporting Mechanical Engineering faculty.
  
  
  

Manager responsibilities include interviewing and selecting new employees; training, set and adjust their rates of pay and hours of work; planning and directing their work; appraise their productivity and efficiency to recommend promotions or other changes in their status; handle their complaints and grievances and handle discipline.

• Use metrics to ensure appropriate staffing levels and workloads.
• Identify new or changed sponsored research policies, create procedures, and communicate these with faculty and appropriate staff.
• Train and guide Research Administrators.
• Monitor accounts receivable and resolve unpaid invoices.
• Review Research Scientists appointment funding and, if needed, work with HR to initiate RIF process.
• Oversee graduate student funding to ensure all ME grad students are funded.
• Provide back-up support for staff.
• Represent ME with faculty, ORSP, other units, Sponsored Programs, and on committees.
• Provide guidance, recommendations, creative solutions, and advice on sponsored project management and departmental policies.
• Approve proposals, subcontracts, unfunded agreements, and post-award change requests.
  
  
  

Grant-related Responsibilities

• Pre-award responsibilities including preparing budget, grant applications, proposals, and unfunded agreements ensuring agency and university guidelines and timelines are met.
• Post-award responsibilities including project changes, financial reporting, processing and tracking subcontracts, tracking cost-share obligations, account review, Uniform Guidance Reports, spend down plans, and project close-outs (FSRs).
• Provide faculty with financial advice, consulting on best practices and strategic planning for project financial management.
• 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.
• Send faculty regular, periodic balance reports.
• Prepare financial reports for sponsors.
• Be a liaison with Department, COE Dean's office and ORSP.
• Identify new sponsored research policies or changes and communicate these to the faculty.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 years of progress experience in Research Administration.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-project financial review and analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of U-M financial processes.
• Previous experience mentoring and working diplomatically with faculty and students under a variety of circumstances.
• Demonstrated experience organizing and consolidating complex financial information into clear, comprehensive summaries.
• Proficiency in use of computers, including Excel (can maintain complex spreadsheets), Word, M-Pathways, Grants.gov, eResearch, and Business Objects.
  
  
  

Additional Information

A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

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

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.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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