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A cover letter is required to be considered for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experiences that directly relate to the position. Please include contact information for at least three references.

Job Summary

The Survey Methodology Program (SMP) and the Aging & Biopsychosocial Innovations (ABI) program are research programs within the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the Institute for Social Research (ISR). SMP was established in 1992 with the explicit aim of creating a multidisciplinary team to focus on research in survey methodology and is also home to our educational program the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science. ABI was established in 2019 with the overall purpose of understanding how stress and social contexts affect health and the biopsychosocial factors that account for those links.

We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Administrative Assistant to support a dynamic research team by coordinating a wide range of administrative and operational activities. This position requires a detail-oriented individual capable of managing expense reporting, purchasing, hiring processes, meeting coordination, and acting as a key point of contact for faculty, staff, students, and guests. The Administrative Assistant plays a vital, multifaceted role in supporting the operational, financial, and research functions of the program. Our team values open communication and a relaxed, collegial atmosphere, where flexibility, good humor, and a can-do attitude go a long way. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety in their day and being part of a helpful, approachable office culture.

This is a term-limited position for one year, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance, conduct, continued availability of work, and funding to support the needs of the program.

Responsibilities*

30% Financial & Reimbursement Administration

• Prepare and submit reimbursements and PCard expenses through Emburse for faculty and staff, as well as TBHER travel reimbursements for students and guests. Facilitate travel pre-approvals.
• Provide accounting support (e.g., journal entries, vouchers, non-POs).
• Assist with monthly reconciliation and monitoring of sponsored and operating expenses.
• Assist with purchasing (project-specific supplies, office supplies via Marketsite); process PeoplePay forms; prepare ePro requisitions.
• Monitors/replenishes office supply inventory.

30% Human Resources Support

• Hire/terminate student and regular temp employees; assist with other confidential HR processes.
• Assist with regular staff postings and job searches, including resume reviews, and interview scheduling.
• Coordinate and facilitate visiting scholar visits in collaboration with the SRC Director's Office.
• Assists with onboarding/offboarding of temporary and regular staff members.

20% Research & Grant Administration

• Collaborate closely with SMP's research administrators to assist in the preparation, collection, and maintenance of required documentation for sponsored funding proposals, reporting, and other pre-/post-award functions. This can include editing biosketches, and maintaining funding information to complete other support documents, as well as maintaining tracking systems or documents for newly awarded grants.
• Assist in the preparation of research faculty CVs and annual reports to sponsor.

20% Facilities, Event & Communication Support

• Prepare and submit key forms/other facilities requests.
• Assist in planning and organizing regular and ad hoc meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, job talks, etc.
• Schedule meetings, book rooms, set up Zoom, archive Zoom recordings.
• Answer, screen, and triage inquiries; attend meetings, take notes, and draft correspondence.
• Maintain/update mailing lists/MCommunity; limited project website updates; send weekly emails.
• Serve as the first point of contact for the suite; provide friendly, professional, and supportive reception.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

For the Senior Level:

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least four (4) years of experience in general office or administrative support.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Proven experience exercising independent judgment and handling complex and/or ambiguous administrative tasks with a track record of self-direction, initiative, and accountability in previous roles.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to interact professionally with a diverse group of staff, students, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Collaborative mindset; must be a team player who thrives in a cooperative, fast-paced setting.

For the Intermediate Level (Underfill Option):

• High school diploma or equivalent and at least two (2) years of experience in general office or administrative support.
• Comfortable working within established frameworks and seeking support when encountering unfamiliar challenges.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interact professionally with a diverse group of staff, students, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative mindset; must be a team player who thrives in a cooperative, fast-paced setting.

Desired Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., business administration, public policy, education, abnormal psychology or social sciences).
• Familiarity with University of Michigan systems, policies, and procedures.
• Proficiency with productivity and collaboration tools, including:
• Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel)
• Google Workspace (e.g. Docs, Sheets, Drive)
• Scheduling and meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Calendar)
• Experience with monthly financial reconciliation and monitoring of sponsored project budgets and operating accounts.
• Experience with posting staff positions, reviewing resumes, and coordinating interviews.

Work Locations

Work location is expected to be onsite in Ann Arbor with flexibility for hybrid work within our overall Center policies.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

Openings may be filled at the Administrative Assistant Intermediate or Senior level depending on match with opportunity, your depth and breadth of experience and qualifications.

• Positions at the Administrative Assistant Senior level will be filled at the $55,000-$65,000 salary range.
• Positions at the Administrative Assistant Intermediate level will be filled at the $50,000- $55,000 salary range.

Additional Information

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Learn more about U-M benefits.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed as received, and we expect that the short-listed finalists for the position will be interviewed on a rolling basis.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.