Research Administrator III

MSU Careers Details•East Lansing, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences (PSM) at Michigan State University is seeking a highly skilled, detail‑oriented, and collaborative Research Administrator III to support one of the most complex and research‑intensive departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). This position plays a central role in the administration, coordination, and financial stewardship of a large, high‑volume, and diverse sponsored research portfolio and provides comprehensive pre‑award, post‑award, and closeout support to faculty investigators. PSM is the leading contributor to research expenditures within CANR, accounting for approximately 29–30% of the college’s total research expenditures over the most recent five‑year reporting period (2021–2025)—the largest share of any department in the college. Over this period, the department recorded more than $140 million in research expenditures, over $113 million in obligated funds, and activity across 77 awarded grants, supporting a research enterprise that spans federal, state, industry, foundation, and commodity sponsors. The department manages a substantial volume of active sponsored project accounts simultaneously, requiring sustained, detailed, and compliance‑focused administrative oversight. The Research Administrator III works closely with principal investigators, departmental leadership, administrative staff, and central offices including the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and Contract & Grant Administration (CGA) to ensure timely proposal submissions, accurate and compliant financial management, and effective stewardship of externally sponsored funds. The role requires the ability to work independently with a high degree of professional judgment, manage competing priorities in a deadline‑driven environment, and contribute to the department’s capacity to sustain its nationally competitive research profile. The Research Administrator III supports a research portfolio characterized by high grant volume, multiple concurrent funding mechanisms, diverse sponsor requirements, and significant annual expenditures. The position directly contributes to the operational infrastructure required to administer hundreds of active sponsored accounts and to sustain PSM’s position as the leading contributor to research expenditures within CANR.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that typically acquired through completion of a four-year college degree in business administration, finance.
Five to eight years of progressively more responsible experience in research administration, including pre-award and/or post-award processes, or a related regulatory administrative field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Completion of the MSU Essentials of Research Administration Certificate (or equivalent) within one year of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience in research or financial administration within a higher education or research-intensive environment.
Experience supporting a large and diverse sponsored research portfolio, including pre- and post award support.
Familiarity with federal, state, industry, and foundation funding agencies and compliance requirements.
Experience interpreting and applying university and sponsor policies related to sponsored research.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, determine priorities, and meet deadlines in a complex, high-volume research environment.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, sponsors, and administrators.
Proficiency with standard office software and financial or reporting systems.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive research administration and financial management support across the full lifecycle of sponsored projects, including pre-award proposal development, post-award administration, regulatory coordination and project closeout activities.
Serve as a primary liaison among principal investigators, research staff, sponsors, external collaborators, subcontractors, and university administrative units to facilitate effective communication, coordination, and compliance for a diverse portfolio of grants, contracts, and PI-initiated research projects.
Coordinate proposal development and submission activities by assisting investigators with budget preparation, budget justifications, sponsor guidelines, administrative documentation, and institutional approvals to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant submissions.
Interpret and communicate sponsor-specific requirements, university policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Manage post-award financial and administrative operations by monitoring project budgets, expenditures, cost sharing, effort reporting, subcontract activity, and financial reconciliations to ensure adherence to award terms and responsible stewardship of sponsored funds.
Prepare and coordinate financial reports, technical documentation, audit materials, and sponsor communications while independently analyzing and resolving complex administrative and financial issues.
Maintain complete and audit-ready research and financial records, oversee compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements, and coordinate project closeout activities, account reconciliation, and record-retention processes, in collaboration with departmental, college, and central administrative offices.