Working/Functional Title
Research Administrator I/II
Position Summary
The Research Administrator I/II provides pre-award support to College of Engineering faculty for the development and submission of sponsored research proposals. This role partners closely with investigators and central university offices to ensure high-quality, compliant, and timely submissions across a broad range of funding mechanisms.
Assignments and expectations vary by level: Research Administrator I roles focus on lower- to moderately complex proposals under guidance, while Research Administrator II roles involve more complex, high-risk, high-dollar, or multi-investigator proposals that require independent judgment and advanced expertise.
Research Administrator II
The Research Administrator II provides independent, advanced pre-award support for the development and submission of complex sponsored research proposals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development and submission of complex, high-risk, high-dollar, and multi-investigator proposals
- Develop, review, and analyze complex budgets and budget justifications
- Interpret sponsor guidelines and University policies; advise investigators on proposal strategy and compliance
- Coordinate multi-unit and multi-institution submissions
- Serve as a subject-matter resource for faculty and staff on pre-award processes
- Ensure proposal accuracy, compliance, and timeliness in a deadline-driven environment
- Liaise with Sponsored Programs, Contracts & Grants Administration, MSU Business Connect, MSU Technologies, and external partners
- Provide limited post-award accounting and administrative support, including budget monitoring and financial analysis
This role requires independent judgment and strong analytical, organizational, and customer service skills.
Research Administrator I
The Research Administrator I provides professional pre-award support while developing proficiency in sponsored research administration.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the preparation and submission of sponsored research proposals of lower to moderate complexity
- Review sponsor solicitations and identify proposal requirements
- Develop basic to moderately complex budgets and budget justifications
- Assemble proposal documents and coordinate required approvals
- Support investigators in navigating institutional policies and sponsor requirements
- Work under guidance as part of a collaborative team environment
- Provide limited post-award accounting and administrative support, including budget monitoring and coordination related to research accounts and student payroll
This role emphasizes learning, collaboration, and growth within research administration best practices.
Common Responsibilities (Both Levels)
- Review sponsor solicitations and ensure compliance with sponsor and University policies
- Coordinate proposal submissions through Sponsored Programs and Contracts & Grants Administration
- Manage multiple proposals simultaneously while balancing competing deadlines
- Serve as a liaison to internal and external partners, including federal and state agencies, foundations, industry sponsors, and collaborating institutions
- Communicate clearly, handle sensitive information with discretion, and build effective working relationships
- Contribute to a collaborative, service-oriented work environment
Hybrid Work Arrangement
This position offers the potential for a hybrid work arrangement, blending in-office and remote work. The specific arrangement will be determined by the supervisor based on departmental priorities and operational needs.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Qualifications (Both Levels)
Requires knowledge equivalent to that normally acquired through a four-year college degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a research-related field. Completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire.
To be hired as a Research Administrator II, you must have:
One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in pre-award processes or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
To be hired as a Research Administrator I, you must have:
Up to six months of related experience in research administration or a closely related field. Experience may include exposure to pre-award or post-award processes, regulatory administration, and use of standard office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Experience and Expertise
- Three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in pre-award processes
- Demonstrated customer-service orientation and ability to build trust with faculty and staff
- Experience developing budgets and supporting sponsored research proposals, ideally in an academic environment
- Demonstrated expertise with a broad and complex portfolio of funding agencies, including federal sponsors, non-profit foundations, private industry, and other external entities, with the ability to interpret and apply varied sponsor-specific requirements and policies
- Knowledge of federal agency policies and research administration practices
- Experience with budget development, management, and financial analysis
- Experience managing complex, multi-investigator and multi-institutional proposal portfolios
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional, and federal regulations, including cost principles, allowability, effort commitments, cost share, and subrecipient requirements
- Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential or demonstrated knowledge base sufficient to be exam-ready
- Familiarity with MSU policies and procedures
Skills and Attributes
- Strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Strong analytical and organizational skills in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and sound professional judgment
- Commitment to process improvement, collaboration, and service excellence
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
Applications must include:
- Cover letter outlining the candidate’s relevant experience
- Current resume
- Names and contact information of three professional references
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
https://engineering.msu.edu/
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.
Bidding eligibility ends January 20, 2026, 11:55 PM
