Michigan State University
Location
East Lansing, MI | United States
Job description
Position Summary
The Lyman Briggs College (LBC) seeks a Research Administrator I to collaborate with LBC's researchers to provide effective and efficient administration throughout the sponsored program lifecycle including provide pre- and post-award support.
The Research Administrator will provide contract and grant Pre-Award Administration Services and Post-Award Administration Services for LBC’s approximately 30 research-active faculty who have research programs in a wide range of disciplines, including natural and physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities fields. LBC is also a leading center for research on teaching and learning and for interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship.
This position requires the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively, and to have the strong written and verbal communication skills needed to effectively work with those in LBC, counterparts in other MSU units, and staff in the MSU Office of Sponsored Programs/Contract and Grant Administration.
Responsibilities
Contract and Grant Pre-Award Administration Services
Assist investigators with searches for new funding opportunities; proactively inform investigators about upcoming grants and deadlines.
Work closely with LBC faculty during the grant proposal process which includes building proposal budgets, budget justification development, and assisting with ancillary proposal documents.
Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs in the proposal submission process.
Provide investigators with tools and resources to develop and achieve quality proposals.
Coordinate with various university colleges, departments, and staff to ensure a timely proposal submission process while securing appropriate approvals.
Contract and Grant Post-Award Administration Services
Provide post-award financial oversight for unit awards, including:
Auditing and documenting vouchers, purchase requests, internal billings, personnel forms, and financial statements for grant accounts to ensure accuracy and validity as required by university policies.
Analyzing and reconciling grant accounts.
Creating and distributing reports to faculty.
Analyzing data to proactively identify problems or errors, seeking causes, and developing recommendations for solutions; communicating these solutions to faculty and making corrections as needed.
Supporting internal audit procedures.
Participating in other supportive processes as required.
Track spending against approved budget, monitor accounts, prepare budget forecasts and monthly reconciliations.
Act as liaison with Contract and Grant Administration for post-award administration.
Act as effort report administrator for the unit.
Provide support to Human Resources to facilitate contract and grant related personnel actions including cost redistributions and reviewing grants to verify summer salary actions, terminations, and student and temporary/on-call hiring processes.
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Finance, or a research-related field; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in one or more of the research process areas of pre- or post-award processes, such as regulatory administration; experience in word processing, spreadsheet and database software; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. The job also requires: completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire.
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college program in Business Administration, Finance, or a research-related field. This can be gained through an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.
Up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in either pre- or post-award processes.
Experience in day-to-day computing such as the use of word processing, spreadsheet software, and/or database software.
Completion of the Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent will be required within one year of hire.
We seek candidates who are excited to learn, who are collaborative in nature, and who center diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their interactions with others. Candidates should have the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, critical thinking skills, and effective time management skills to work on several projects simultaneously.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Cover Letter : Explain how your skills and previous educational/work experiences will help you fulfill the requirements and expectations of this position.
Resume or CV : Include relevant work experience and educational background/qualifications, including those related to training or programs in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Three Professional References : While references will not be immediately solicited for the initial evaluation of candidates, references should be prepared to provide input regarding the applicant’s relevant work or educational experience.
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly, which means that some of the duties can be performed remotely and some must be performed on campus, as mutually agreed upon.
For more about the research administrator role at MSU please see:
Contact search committee chair Ryan Sweeder, [email protected], for questions.
STANDARD 8-5
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