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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.

Job Summary

The Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS) is consistently ranked as the #1 nuclear engineering program in the country. Our interdisciplinary team of instructional and research faculty are at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions, nuclear security and defense, and plasmas for water treatment. NERS research impacts space exploration, radiation for medical treatment, and more. We are a tight-knit community of researchers, students, and support staff aiming to advance the benefits of nuclear, radiological, & plasma technology to improve society in the 21st Century.

NERS is looking for a Research Administration Manager to lead the department's research administration program. The position will supervise a team of 5-6 research administrators who provide comprehensive support to 40 tenure/tenure-track and research faculty. The scope of work includes oversight of $28M+ in research expenditures per year, approximately 150 proposals per year, and over 200 active research projects. The department supports 130 graduate students, around 100 temporary and student employees, 20 research fellows, and 20 research staff. The position reports to the Unit Administrator. The Research Administration Manager is responsible for ensuring the team successfully manages the complete research administration process and that the research program is aligned with the department's mission and strategic goals.

Research Administrators support Michigan Engineering research projects by coordinating budgets and timelines, securing funding and helping the work stay on track. This is crucial work that enables our research teams to tackle humanity's toughest problems.

To learn more about Research Administration at Michigan Engineering, view our short video here.

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.
 

Responsibilities*

The job duties for the Research Administration Manager position include:

Pre- and post-award activities (50%)

Oversee the preparation of grant proposals and budgets.  Review and approve proposal routing forms in eResearch. Serve as the unit lead in proposal submission to various sponsors including Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and others, for all departmental tenured & tenured track faculty and research faculty.  Assure that proposals and awards are in compliance with federal, state, agency and institution policies.Manage the review of grant and contract awards terms and conditions.  Participate in the negotiation of award terms to protect the institution and freedom of our faculty in research.Participate in the negotiation with federal grant and contracting officers to substantiate budget requests and to secure terms and conditions favorable to the institution and in compliance with federal policies.Provide administrative oversight for all post-award financial tracking and reconciliations.Monitor and approve changes in sponsored research funding, minimizing the necessity for retroactive changes.Serve as key lead in assuring timely proposal submissions and responsive stewardship of faculty sponsored research, general and gift funds, including startup, research incentive, and other discretionary funds.Assure timeliness for all pre- and post- award activities, meeting deadlines and overseeing responses to ORSP on project closeouts.Ensure accuracy of data in eResearch prior to routing for appropriate approvals.Maintain close contact with the departmental faculty to ensure that the research team is providing the necessary support for all pre-and post-award job functions.Facilitate IDC waiver & track and manage cost-share requests and transfers.

Staff Management (20%)

Manage research administration staff, make hiring decisions, provide coaching, training and mentoring.Perform annual merit reviews of staff and serve as a manager and mentor to the research team by scheduling meetings on an individual basis as well as with the entire group to identify and discuss concerns with the research team.Monitor the progress of new research staff team members and recommend courses of action when additional training seems necessary.Plan staff development for the team as required.Develop, monitor and revise as necessary, RA team workload metrics, including such measures as proposal volume, proposal and project complexity factors, number of faculty, volume of research and more. 

PhD Funding (10%)

Oversee graduate student funding support process within the department, working with faculty and other department staff to assure that student funding is assigned to all students, accurately projected and correctly recorded in the departmental tracking system.Work with the research team to assure department fellowship support, GSRA support from projects, and all other support is accurately assigned and processed each semester.Work with the unit administrator, human resources staff, research staff and graduate program coordinator to resolve funding issues.
 

Other department activities (20%)

Assist Unit Administrator with identifying, planning, and implementing business process improvements.Oversee the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory finances and recharges rates and any other research centers related financials.Provide oversight of the offset process and summer salaries for NERS, providing updates and reports to leadership.Oversee faculty discretionary accounts, including startups and research incentive accounts.Serve as department liaison with ORSP, Sponsored Programs, and other stakeholders.  Represent department interests and facilitate issue resolution.Track outstanding account receivables, reporting items of concern to the Department and College.Collaborate and network with peers to learn and share best practices for efficiency, effectiveness, reducing liability, etc.Participate in training and volunteer opportunities to maintain a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience.Represent the department to other units, administrators, and outside agencies.
 Required Qualifications*Relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience), plus a minimum of 5 years experience in grant administration or higher-level financial activities, preferably in an academic settingDemonstrated experience in a supervisory or leadership role, with a proven ability to motivate and guide teams to achieve goalsExpert knowledge with both pre- and post-award management of sponsored research grants, budgeting, cost share, faculty academic appointments and uniform guidance policies.Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply guidelines and policies including UG budgeting restrictions and University sponsored research policiesKnowledge of U-M financial practices and processes, particularly financial, HR, and student servicesExpertise in Excel and ability to adapt to changing technology is essentialDemonstrated ability to manage and lead a teamMust have the ability to work in a team environment, collaborate effectively with co-workers, and provide excellent customer serviceCandidates will need to be very detail oriented, exhibit sound judgment, follow through to completion, and meet high work standardsAbility to set priorities and manage competing deadlines is a mustDemonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications skills is essentialDemonstrated experience in the use of eResearch, Business Objects, M-Pathways, and M-Reports is also required
 Desired Qualifications*10+ years of directly related experience with progressively increasing financial responsibilitiesResearch Administrator CertificationMaster's Degree in related fieldExperience working with large user facilities and recharge ratesPrior experience with federal funding agencies such as Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and national labs3+ years of supervisory experience
 Modes of Work

The mode of work for this position is MOBILE/REMOTE. 

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.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Additional Information

Candidates who are not currently employed at the College of Engineering may be eligible for up to a $1500 sign-on bonus.  College of Engineering candidates for whom this position represents a promotional opportunity may be eligible for up to a $1500 sign-on bonus.

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.