What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Research Administration position at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Posting Description
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, Chemical Engineering , leads and oversees complex pre- and post-award financial operations and manages a team of 8–10 staff responsible for the department’s full research administration portfolio at MIT. Reporting to the Director of Administration and Finance, the Assistant Director provides essential support to faculty and plays a key role in ensuring efficient and compliant research administration; leads talent management succession planning efforts while overseeing all sponsored research–related research administration functions; develops and implements financial models and strategies to enhance the efficiency of research and financial operations; serves as a trusted advisor to faculty and departmental leadership on financial and administrative aspects of sponsored research; creates and delivers clear, effective trainings and presentations; supervises and mentors research administration staff, and performs high-level financial work, including budget oversight, planning, and management; and acts as the primary liaison to MIT’s central finance offices on research administration matters.
The Full Job Description Is Available Here .
Job Requirements
REQUIRED : Bachelor's degree; a minimum of seven years of experience in financial management including experience at a decision-making level; demonstrated management capabilities and ability to promote team-building; ability to communicate effectively with faculty and staff; strong customer service orientation; knowledge of federal web-based grants management systems, enterprise financial systems, and query or grants management tools; effective written, oral and presentation skills; knowledge of standard federal regulations such as OMB Circulars, FAR requirements and major agency guidelines; strong attention to detail and ability to work independently with minimal supervision; interest in working in a fast-paced and challenging environment with faculty and staff at all levels; advanced computer skills with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SAP or similar accounting package; and relational database skills. PREFERRED : Master’s degree; MIT experience; and experience with COEUS, Cognos, and Grants.gov.
6/11/2026
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, Chemical Engineering , leads and oversees complex pre- and post-award financial operations and manages a team of 8–10 staff responsible for the department’s full research administration portfolio at MIT. Reporting to the Director of Administration and Finance, the Assistant Director provides essential support to faculty and plays a key role in ensuring efficient and compliant research administration; leads talent management succession planning efforts while overseeing all sponsored research–related research administration functions; develops and implements financial models and strategies to enhance the efficiency of research and financial operations; serves as a trusted advisor to faculty and departmental leadership on financial and administrative aspects of sponsored research; creates and delivers clear, effective trainings and presentations; supervises and mentors research administration staff, and performs high-level financial work, including budget oversight, planning, and management; and acts as the primary liaison to MIT’s central finance offices on research administration matters.
The Full Job Description Is Available Here .
Job Requirements
REQUIRED : Bachelor's degree; a minimum of seven years of experience in financial management including experience at a decision-making level; demonstrated management capabilities and ability to promote team-building; ability to communicate effectively with faculty and staff; strong customer service orientation; knowledge of federal web-based grants management systems, enterprise financial systems, and query or grants management tools; effective written, oral and presentation skills; knowledge of standard federal regulations such as OMB Circulars, FAR requirements and major agency guidelines; strong attention to detail and ability to work independently with minimal supervision; interest in working in a fast-paced and challenging environment with faculty and staff at all levels; advanced computer skills with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SAP or similar accounting package; and relational database skills. PREFERRED : Master’s degree; MIT experience; and experience with COEUS, Cognos, and Grants.gov.
6/11/2026