Research Administrator

MIT•Cambridge, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Administrator in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab performs comprehensive pre and post-award financial research administration for the Laboratory’s sponsored activities. This role involves coordinating the preparation, review, and submission of proposals to government, industrial, foundation, and other organizations, ensuring compliance with agency requirements and MIT’s policies. The administrator will advise principal investigators (PIs) and project leaders on all aspects of research administration, implement their decisions, and monitor the daily financial performance of grants and contracts. Regular meetings with PIs will be held to review resource plans and budgets. The role also includes preparing reports, financial analyses, forecasting, and other relevant information for PIs, submitting required forms and financial reports, monitoring internal charge backs and payroll distribution, analyzing and tracking cost sharing and encumbrances, and ensuring timely grant close-out.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
A minimum of three years of transferrable experience in accounting, economics, or finance
Receptivity to learning new business methods and computational skills
Demonstrated record of assuming greater responsibilities over time
Knowledge of budgeting theory and practices including reporting requirements and procedures related to cost accounting and auditing
Knowledge of budget preparation and administration, financial record keeping and reporting
Proficiency in the analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of contractual terminology
Financial management/forecasting skills
Ability to interpret financial data
Ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment
Ability to multi-task, prioritize, work with flexibility, and simultaneously manage numerous projects with varying degrees of complexity while meeting concurrent deadlines
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced constantly changing environment
Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation including the ability to interact, cultivate trust and build rapport with a variety of constituents including faculty, staff and sponsors.

Responsibilities

Performs comprehensive pre and post-award financial research administration (50%/50%) of the Laboratory’s sponsored activities.
Coordinates the preparation, review, and submission of government, industrial, foundation and other organizational proposals.
Ensures compliance with agency program announcement requirements and MIT’s policies and procedures.
Advises principal investigators (PI’s) and project leaders on all aspects of research administration and implements their subsequent decisions.
Monitors the daily financial performance of grants and contracts to ensure compliance with MIT and sponsor policies.
Meets regularly with principal investigators to review resource plans and budgets.
Prepares reports, financial analyses, forecasting, and other relevant information for the PI’s.
Prepares and submits required forms and financial reports in a timely manner.
Monitors and manages internal charge backs, payroll distribution and certification.
Analyzes and tracks cost sharing and cost encumbrances.
Ensures timely close out of grants.