Demo

Research Administrator Sr

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 7/29/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/27/2026
How to Apply

Candidates Should Submit The Following As One Document

  • Cover Letter / Letter of interest
  • Resume
  • One page statement that discusses/shares a recent experience; what was learned from this experience, and what you did with what you learned.


In order for the Career Portal system to accept a cover letter and one page statement, please include these as a page of your resume document.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States, as we are currently unable to sponsor visas for this job opening.

Job Summary

Job Summary:

About The University Of Michigan School Of Social Work

Be a part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of developing a more equitable, caring, and socially just society -- that's at the heart of what drives people to work at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Purpose

We are looking for an energetic, positive, and forward-thinking individual with significant post-award experience, pre-award knowledge, and financial analysis competencies to join our team. This role will have a primary focus on supporting a large research lab at the School of Social Work and will require a high level of research administration oversight, organizational and project management capabilities, and operations experience. Reporting to the Director of Research and Financial Operations but working closely with the faculty PI, you will coordinate both pre-award and post-award research activities and financial tasks associated with grant and contract administration. The lab has a varied research and sponsored activity portfolio, from a variety of government agencies, foundations, and philanthropists. We will invest in your education, training, career development and certification in the area of research administration. Under FLSA, incumbents in this position are exempt.

Responsibilities*

Post-Award Research Administration

Assist SSW faculty and researchers with financial management of sponsored awards to ensure project budgets stay on track, and lab personnel and operations are supported effectively. Activities include but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Create and prepare bimonthly financial reports, illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances.
  • Provide Short- and long-term financial forecasting.
  • Adjust, expand, modify and customize financial reports to meet needs of PI.
  • Review assigned project/grants in a variety of funds including general, gift, recharge, and sponsored research using MReports, Business Objects and other tools. This includes reviewing financial transactions.
  • Approve expenditures within prescribed limits according to Uniform Guidance, University and sponsor guidelines, PI project plans and resolve issues.
  • Arrange and process requests affecting a project, such as time extensions, supplemental funds, subcontracts, subprojects, and changes in the scope of work or budgetary changes.
  • Respond to requests for financial information from PI and sponsors.
  • Regularly communicate with faculty and other staff members to ensure smooth transitions of project lifecycles.
  • Review and facilitate Financial status reports (FSRs) and complete Uniform Guidance (UG) Reports with Sponsored Programs.
  • Prepare and submit journal entries as required.
  • Work with faculty to ensure offset requirements are met.
  • Participate in continuous process and workflow improvements efforts to ensure smooth lab operations.


Pre-Award Research Administration

Assist SSW faculty and researchers with proposal submissions to various federal and non-federal sponsors ensuring deadlines are met. Activities include but are not necessarily limited to:

  • Reviewing and adhering to proposal submission guidelines for submissions from the University and/or the funding agency.
  • Assist in completing required sponsor forms.
  • Preparing Proposal Approval Forms.
  • Preparing and maintaining documents for submission packages.
  • Work with faculty to develop budgets and budget justifications following Sponsor, School and University Policies.
  • Serve as liaison faculty with School of Social Work and University central offices (i.e. Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).
  • Organization and project management to ensure multiple concurrent proposals are routed in a timely fashion.


Administrative And Project Support

  • Liaise with PI, lab staff, and SSW department leaders, along with central offices to manage award lifecycles, monitor lab staffing & expenditures, and support faculty research objectives.


Skills You Have

Ability to interpret and communicate School, University, and Sponsor guidelines and policies. Experience in routing multiple complex projects across a variety of sponsors. Demonstrated experience with multi-project financial review and analysis, with the ability to track and project financial activity and commitments. Knowledge of U-M financial practices and processes strongly preferred. Prior experience with federal funding agencies such as NSF, NIH strongly preferred. Mastery of Excel and ability to adapt to changing technology is essential. Must have the ability to work in a team environment, collaborate effectively with co-workers, and provide excellent customer service. Ability to organize and synthesize complex information about particular financial aspects, resulting in clear and comprehensive summaries. Candidates will need to exhibit sound judgment, follow work through to completion, and meet high work standards, as well as the ability to set priorities and manage competing deadlines. Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills is essential. Demonstrated experience in the use of Business Objects and M-Pathways.

Required Qualifications*

  • Bachelor degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in complex grant administration in a higher education context,
  • Excellent communication and organizational skill.
  • Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
  • Attention to detail and dependability are essential.


Desired Qualifications*

  • Seven-plus years of progressively responsible grant management experience.
  • Previous experience with the U-M eResearch Proposal Management system.
  • Previous experience with data mining in MPathways, Business Objects, and other complimentary systems is desired. Certified Research Administrator Certification (CRA).


Modes of Work

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 allows work either on campus or remotely. For local applicants, there is a requirement to come to campus occasionally as necessary throughout the year to facilitate intentional collaboration, team building, and connections. This may include times when projects or work would benefit from on-campus presence. Any travel planning or expenses related to coming to campus are the responsibility of the employee.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Research Administrator Sr?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Research Administrator Sr career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$82,207 - $116,218
Income Estimation: 
$91,191 - $141,961
Income Estimation: 
$117,990 - $155,228
Income Estimation: 
$164,666 - $215,191

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Research Administrator Sr.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Account Reconciliation Skill

    • Income Estimation: $74,125 - $98,584
    • Income Estimation: $82,982 - $115,091
  • Accounts Payable Skill

    • Income Estimation: $80,039 - $113,425
    • Income Estimation: $82,654 - $108,479
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at University of Michigan

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • 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 shoul... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • How to Apply Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimu... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • Who We Are The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) supports and celebrates students' unique experiences, backgrounds, communities, and iden... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • How to Apply To be considered for this position, applicants should submit their materials to https://apply.interfolio.com/188047 Cover Letter Curriculum vi... more
  • 9 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Research Administrator Sr jobs in the Ann Arbor, MI area that may be a better fit.

  • Michigan Medicine Ann Arbor, MI
  • Job Summary This position requires experience to handle various timelines and responsibilities associated with a variety of sponsors in both pre- and post-... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • 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 shoul... more
  • 30 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!