Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Pre-Award Research Administrator I

Position Summary

Responsibilities

• Reviews requests for proposals from the various sponsors independently and with supervision to determine the specific submission requirements and the method of submission. Communicates requirements to faculty researchers. 
• Supports investigators with basic grant applications to federal, state, and local funders. This support includes developing compliant project budgets, refining budget justifications, and gathering documents specified by the proposal guidelines. Assembles documents for proposal submission in a variety of online portals. 
• Coordinates with various university colleges, departments, and staff to ensure a timely proposal submission process in alignment with the MSU proposal deadline policy; monitors and obtains required approvals. 
• Ensures that appropriate indirect cost rates are used in project budgets. Works with faculty to implement accurate credit splits. Gathers and reviews documents from research administrators at other institutions to incorporate into proposals when sub-recipients are involved. 
• Serve as a liaison between Sponsored Programs Administration and the faculty and other institutions in communicating policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonable within the scope of the duties in this job classification. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A basic knowledge of grants, grant writing, and/or grants management.
• Attendance and Punctuality: Adheres to work schedule and location assigned. Abides by relevant policies, procedures, union contracts, and supervisory directives as they relate to attendance, lunch/breaks, time-off, and work location / remote work. Arrives on time and is prepared for meetings and other commitments.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and credibly in both verbal and written forms with professional colleagues and faculty.
• Flexibility: Ability to take on new assignments and adjust to changing regulations and procedures.
• Teamwork: Follow team procedures to allow seamless transition of work products across team members, communicate respectfully with colleagues, and communicate effectively with team members to ensure tasks/proposals are handled during absences or leave
• Organization and time-management: Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively on multiple proposals at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Compliance: Knowledge, understanding, and practical application of MSU and college policies and procedures. Ability to maintain compliance and reduce risk.
• Reading Comprehension: Ability to read and understand policy documents and guidelines and implement guidance.  

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Finance, or a research-related field; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in research administration in one or more of the research process areas of pre- or post-award processes, such as regulatory administration; experience in word processing, spreadsheet and database software; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. The job also requires: completion of Essentials of Research Administration (MSU certificate) or equivalent within one year of hire.

Desired Qualifications

• Essentials of Research Administration or equivalent research administration certificate
• Experience with Kuali Research System
• Experience developing budgets

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

References

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://natsci.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 August 11, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.