What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Administrator III position at Michigan State University College of Engineering?
Position Summary
The Health Colleges Research Services office provides POST Award grant support for three Health Colleges at Michigan State University: Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Nursing with faculty located throughout the state of Michigan. We offer a supportive and flexible work environment focused on work-life balance, while maintaining a complex workload. We are recruiting an individual to join the postaward team as we expand the research footprint through a partnership with Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) and OneTeam-One Health.
Qualified candidates will be highly organized and self-motivated as well as able to balance multiple tasks and deliver quality analysis within sponsor and MSU guidelines. This individual should have strong working knowledge of the Kuali suite of software, Federal, State and Foundation sponsor systems. He/she must be well versed in grant administration and familiar with requirements for multiple Federal, State, and Foundation awards. This individual will be responsible college and unit level reporting, and will serve as the primary liaison between HCRS and other research support offices on campus including; departments, central post-award, and compliance offices. The successful candidate must have a strong sense of ownership and accountability for their workload, exercise excellent independent judgment and operate with a service focused approach.
Research Administration at MSU: https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/RA Recruiting Video/1_zj4mrhxx
Duties And Responsibilities
40% Independently manages post-award administration of grants and contracts for HFH MSU research enterprise. Serves as the primary point of contact for subcontracts and sponsors, ensuring timely communication and compliance. Coordinates tracking and facilitation of research payments, invoicing of funding sources, and monitors research financials to maintain accuracy and accountability. Reviews award budget status and spending projections with investigators to support informed decision-making. Oversees and approves the administration, monitoring, and financial management of complex research projects in accordance with applicable Federal, State, local, and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
30% Independently resolves issues related to contracts, financial reports, and accounts receivable. Serves as the primary point of contact for expense discrepancies and transactional processing, working closely with departmental personnel to ensure timely resolution. Applies subject matter expertise to analyze problems and develop effective solutions. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Federal, Sponsor, and University policies and regulations, and proactively communicates relevant updates to the HCRS team, investigators, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
20% Provides faculty with resources and identifies internal capabilities and expertise. Acts as an independent resource and liaison between sponsor/funding source and PI ensuring clear communication and compliance. Acts as a reliable source of current data to address and resolve inquiries from faculty and staff.
10% Identifies & resolves problems in research processes; notifies the administrators/project personnel and takes more complex issues to appropriate individuals with recommended solutions.
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
Masters Degree desired. Additional certifications from National Council of University Administration or the Society of Research Administration include Departmental Research Administration, Pre-award Research Administration, Post-award Research Administration, Research Integrity, Compliance, Financial Management, Research Law or Research Development are a plus. Desired completion of MSU's Financial Administrator Development Program (FADP)
Desired completion of Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) from the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) or equivalent
Individual must have experience in the Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc).
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
Resume and Cover Letter
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.
The Bidding Eligibility ends on 01/27/2026 at 11:55 PM
The Health Colleges Research Services office provides POST Award grant support for three Health Colleges at Michigan State University: Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Nursing with faculty located throughout the state of Michigan. We offer a supportive and flexible work environment focused on work-life balance, while maintaining a complex workload. We are recruiting an individual to join the postaward team as we expand the research footprint through a partnership with Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) and OneTeam-One Health.
Qualified candidates will be highly organized and self-motivated as well as able to balance multiple tasks and deliver quality analysis within sponsor and MSU guidelines. This individual should have strong working knowledge of the Kuali suite of software, Federal, State and Foundation sponsor systems. He/she must be well versed in grant administration and familiar with requirements for multiple Federal, State, and Foundation awards. This individual will be responsible college and unit level reporting, and will serve as the primary liaison between HCRS and other research support offices on campus including; departments, central post-award, and compliance offices. The successful candidate must have a strong sense of ownership and accountability for their workload, exercise excellent independent judgment and operate with a service focused approach.
Research Administration at MSU: https://mediaspace.msu.edu/media/RA Recruiting Video/1_zj4mrhxx
Duties And Responsibilities
40% Independently manages post-award administration of grants and contracts for HFH MSU research enterprise. Serves as the primary point of contact for subcontracts and sponsors, ensuring timely communication and compliance. Coordinates tracking and facilitation of research payments, invoicing of funding sources, and monitors research financials to maintain accuracy and accountability. Reviews award budget status and spending projections with investigators to support informed decision-making. Oversees and approves the administration, monitoring, and financial management of complex research projects in accordance with applicable Federal, State, local, and university policies, procedures, and regulations.
30% Independently resolves issues related to contracts, financial reports, and accounts receivable. Serves as the primary point of contact for expense discrepancies and transactional processing, working closely with departmental personnel to ensure timely resolution. Applies subject matter expertise to analyze problems and develop effective solutions. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Federal, Sponsor, and University policies and regulations, and proactively communicates relevant updates to the HCRS team, investigators, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
20% Provides faculty with resources and identifies internal capabilities and expertise. Acts as an independent resource and liaison between sponsor/funding source and PI ensuring clear communication and compliance. Acts as a reliable source of current data to address and resolve inquiries from faculty and staff.
10% Identifies & resolves problems in research processes; notifies the administrators/project personnel and takes more complex issues to appropriate individuals with recommended solutions.
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
Masters Degree desired. Additional certifications from National Council of University Administration or the Society of Research Administration include Departmental Research Administration, Pre-award Research Administration, Post-award Research Administration, Research Integrity, Compliance, Financial Management, Research Law or Research Development are a plus. Desired completion of MSU's Financial Administrator Development Program (FADP)
Desired completion of Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA) from the Research Administrators Certification Council (RACC) or equivalent
Individual must have experience in the Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc).
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
Resume and Cover Letter
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.
The Bidding Eligibility ends on 01/27/2026 at 11:55 PM