Internal job postings at MSU

Job postings

Research Administrator III

Back to search results Apply now Job no: 998805
Work type: Support Staff
Personnel Sub Area: AP- Professionals
Pay Grade: 13
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Social Science
Department: Social Science Dean 10038766
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Financial/Accounting, Administrative Professionals- AP, Full Time (90-100%), Union, Remote-Friendly

Position Summary

The College of Social Science is seeking a Research Administrator to support the research enterprise and provide pre-and post-award grant administration services to researchers in the College.

Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-Award Administration Services:

  • Coordinates funding searches for investigators and disseminates information about upcoming federal grant deadlines.
  • Assists faculty members with the development of median and large size proposals including budget development and review of proposal documents.
  • Independently reviews sponsor requirements on basic research, clinical research, and clinical trial budgets to support PI(s).
  • Assists with facilities and administrative costs reduction/waiver approvals, space approval requests, and sub-recipient coordination.
  • Assists with review of grant proposals for completeness and accuracy; suggests corrections as necessary to comply with regulations, confirms accuracy of budgets and other proposal documents to increase chance of proposal funding.


Research Administration Services:

  • Provides training to faculty members on grant submissions, University and sponsor regulations, research processes and paperwork. Acts as an independent resource and liaison between sponsor/funding source and PI.
  • Balances multiple assignments; delivers quality work under time constrained deadlines. Keeps current in research administration policies and procedures.
  • Services as a consistent resource for research enterprise.
  • Resolves routine situations/questions/problems and takes more complex issues to appropriate individuals.

Post-Award Administration Services:

  • Facilitates post-award administration of grants and contracts including account reconciliation.
  • Communicates with subcontract recipients; coordinates tracking and facilitation of research payments, and invoicing of funding sources, and monitors grant account financials.
  • Facilitates the processing of cost-share entries and effort reporting.
    Reviews award budget status and spending projections with investigators.
  • Assist PI(s) with administration, monitoring, and financial management of complex research projects in accordance with applicable Federal, State, local, and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Resolves problems concerning assigned proposals and contracts, financial reports and/or accounts receivable. Consults with personnel in order to determine how cost-sharing portions will be met.
  • Assists with transaction processing and tracking of expenses.
  • Responsible for following up on expense issues with departmental and business office personnel.
  • Prepares accurate financial statements and reports for unit personnel, and sponsor.

Research Compliance and Training:

  • Assists in the design, modification, integration, and implementation of research compliance processes, including budget review, justification, research billing process, program evaluation, and reporting processes.
  • Assists in the review of proposal applications for compliance with regulations.
  • Identifies problems and/or inconsistencies and recommends corrective actions.
  • Audits projects, including inspection of study files, project source documents, and project data for verification of consistency, accuracy, and compliance with research regulations.
  • Notifies the appropriate persons and follows up to ensure actions taken to resolve issues and meet regulations. Review compliance documents for completion and accuracy.

Minimum Requirements

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; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration including the area of pre or post award processes, or related field such as regulatory administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. This job requires Essentials of Research Administration at MSU Certificate series or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications

Master's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field; five to eight years of research administration experience in an academic department or university setting; five to eight years experience in financial or accounting practices; demonstrated leadership competencies, strong critical thinking, financial and analytical skills; excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; knowledge of Michigan State Universitys business policies and procedures; experience with Michigan State Universitys Enterprise Business Systems; experience working on college and/or university budgets; strengths should include a dynamic yet collaborative approach and excellent problem-solving, oral/written communication, and organizational skills; ability to work independently

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.

Required Application Materials

1.Cover letter
2.Resume
3. Name and contact information for 3 professional references

Special Instructions

This position is "remote-friendly" with the expectation of on-campus presence on a regular basis. This is typically referred to as Hybrid; with the flexibility of regular remote work mixed with in-office work as mutually agreed upon with the supervisor.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends October 29, 11:55 PM

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Standard Time

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