Research Services Associate

About the Role

Michigan Technological University's Frontiers Research Institute (FRI) is seeking a professional to join its research administration team to support continued research growth. FRI is a Tier 1 multi-disciplinary research institute providing comprehensive research support services to researchers across all colleges and administrative units.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive research support, including:
• Pre-award support: Working with research teams, Sponsored Programs Office, and other University units; reviewing funding opportunities; budget and budget justification development; content review and formatting.
• Post-award project management: Financial tracking and reporting.
• Manage the workflow of multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, track and manage deadlines.
• Work with other research support staff to establish organizational protocols and processes.
• Maintain a professional, efficient, safe, and welcoming environment.
• Adapt processes and procedures to the diverse roles and evolving needs of FRI and its affiliated Centers.
• Utilize BANNER, WebFocus, Perceptive Content, Cayuse, and ASPIRE to track research and financial data.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc reports for the Institute and affiliated Centers.
• Analyze information and independently resolve problems in research service delivery.
• Resolve, escalate, or route incoming requests appropriately, seeking solutions for timely research delivery.
• Anticipate operational needs and deadlines to assist in executing short- and long-term organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain collegial relationships with staff in other departments/units/institutes/centers.
• Participate in meetings and serve as an organizational representative on committees, if requested.
• Support the planning and organization of unit functions, retreats, receptions, social gatherings, conferences, and guest speakers.
• Integrate safety practices into daily activities and apply continuous improvement strategies.
• Contribute as a member of FRI’s research administration team, taking responsibility for work assignments and providing back-up as needed.
• Engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• BANNER
• WebFocus
• Perceptive Content
• Cayuse
• ASPIRE
• MS Office
• Adobe products
• Google Workspace

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Relevant experience organizing and coordinating multiple research tasks, including budgets, personnel documents, and supporting information for various clients/projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in advanced features of standard office software (MS Office, Adobe products) and web-based productivity resources (Google Workspace).
• Experience coordinating and leading people and processes to meet desired objectives.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Previous experience providing pre-award support.
• Experience working in higher education, specifically focused on the delivery of University-based research.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And/Or Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative to solve problems.
• Demonstrated ability to plan work, manage team timelines, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team.
• Ability to use judgment when dealing with confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively to arrive at desired outcomes while employing efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a number of tasks/projects simultaneously, with the ability to prioritize and negotiate towards a desired outcome.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, And/Or Abilities

• Knowledge in preparing and organizing documents for government grants and industry contracts.
• Knowledge of financial management, budget development, tracking, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.