Position Summary
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.
Job 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.
Working Terms and Conditions
This is a full-time (40-hrs/wk) Administrative Professional staff position with an excellent benefits package and the possibility of a hybrid combination of remote and in-person work. Work will occur in a standard office setting, with typical business hours of operation (8-5 M-F). This position is based in East Lansing, MI.
Salary and Benefits
Salary will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience. MSU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and tuition assistance.
About the Department
Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences is a large, complex, and highly interdisciplinary academic unit within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. The department includes approximately 70 faculty members, 86 postdoctoral researchers and staff, and approximately 100 graduate students, which is the largest graduate student cohort in CANR, as well as more than 200 undergraduate and certificate students. As a land‑grant department, PSM is deeply committed to advancing research, teaching, extension, and outreach in service to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the global community. The department is internationally recognized for its excellence in plant breeding, soil science, microbial ecology, plant pathology, weed science, turfgrass science, and cropping systems management. Faculty research addresses complex, interdisciplinary challenges related to agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, disease management, genomics, food safety, environmental sustainability, and science‑to‑policy engagement.
Between 2021 and 2025, PSM generated nearly one‑third of total research expenditures across CANR’s 12 departments, reflecting both the scale and intensity of its research activity. During this same period, the department accounted for approximately 20% of college‑wide publications, more than 22% of top‑tier journal publications, and over 37% of awarded patents, underscoring the department’s substantial contributions to scholarly productivity, innovation, and research translation. PSM faculty maintain a consistently high level of engagement in externally funded research, with many exhibiting sustained activity across both grant and publication metrics over time. The department’s research programs are supported by extensive infrastructure, including state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, greenhouses, growth chambers, and field research stations, all of which require sophisticated administrative coordination and fiscal oversight. Given the volume, diversity, and regulatory complexity of its research portfolio, PSM places a high priority on skilled research administration. The Research Administrator III position is essential to maintaining compliance, supporting faculty success, and ensuring the effective management of sponsored research resources that are critical to the department’s mission and long‑term sustainability.
Minimum 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.
Desired Qualifications
- 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.
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
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
- Name and Contact Information for Three (3) Professional References
- Including title, organization/company, phone, and e-mail
Special Instructions
- Inquires regarding position can be directed to the PSM HR Team (PSM.HR@msu.edu).
- Only completed applications submitted via https://careers.msu.edu/ will be considered
- Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/
Bidding eligibility ends June 2, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.
