Research Administration Coordinator

MIT•Cambridge, MA

About The Position

The Research Administration Coordinator in the Department of Chemical Engineering serves as the Financial Coordinator for a complex portfolio of sponsored research accounts and as the primary contact for assigned principal investigators. The position manages pre-award and post-award activities, provides financial oversight, and contributes to departmental research administration projects. The coordinator supports proposal development and sponsor submissions, manages account budgets and expenditures, reviews financial reports and purchasing transactions, and helps faculty comply with federal requirements and MIT policies. The role also supports the Manager of Research Administration with financial reviews, risk analysis, policy and template development, reporting systems, monthly cost-object reviews, and special projects. The position reports to the Manager of Research Administration and has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least two years of relevant financial-management experience.
Knowledge of federal research regulations and academic administration.
Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and customer-service skills.
Ability to manage deadlines and priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with MIT financial systems.
Experience with sponsored accounting.
Experience with Microsoft Office, SAP, COEUS, proposal tools, and Cognos Reports.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with investigators and team members on proposal development.
Prepare budgets and issue proposal checklists.
Route submissions through Research Administration Services and coordinate sponsor submissions.
Develop budgets and proposals and submit grant applications.
Monitor expenditures and analyze financial reports.
Review and approve purchasing transactions.
Process no-cost extensions and close accounts.
Resolve suspense salary charges and help faculty comply with federal requirements and MIT policies.
Prepare financial review and control reports and account projections using multiple scenarios.
Conduct bi-monthly meetings with assigned investigators.
Process journal vouchers, requests for payment, credit-card activity, purchase orders, requisitions, and invoices.
Assist the Manager of Research Administration with financial review and control, high-risk transaction analysis, policy and template development, reporting systems, monthly cost-object reviews, and special projects.