Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research Administrator

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • Minimum three years' experience in accounting, finance, or similar field
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, analysis, and organizational skills
  • Excellent computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office and SAP
  • Experience in managing sponsored awards
  • Ability to solve problems independently with minimal supervision
  • Knowledge of MIT financial systems preferred

Responsibilities

  • Prepare and administer grant proposals and awards
  • Manage research account finances and projections
  • Conduct regular financial meetings with Principal Investigators
  • Monitor research account overruns and resolve issues
  • Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and Institute policies
  • Collaborate with faculty and research staff on sponsored research activities
  • Support multiple investigators and institutions in sponsored research

Benefits

  • Comprehensive pre- and post-award support
  • Opportunity to work with groundbreaking research in diverse fields
  • Engagement with multiple investigators and institutions
  • Access to advanced technologies related to grants and contracts management
  • Collaborative work environment within the research administration team
Full Job Description
Posting Description
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATOR, Plasma Science and Fusion Center , to serve as a member of the research administration team. This role supports our researchers conducting groundbreaking research across a wide range of fields such as plasma science, plasma fusion physics, data science and engineering, magnetics and nuclear magnetic imaging, cryogenics, and geothermal engineering. The PSFC has annual research volume of $45 million. The Research Administrator provides comprehensive pre- and post-award support for a portfolio of Principal Investigators (PIs) and sponsored research programs. Responsibilities include preparing and administering grant proposals and awards; managing research account finances, projections, salary distributions, effort coordination, and expenditures; conducting regular financial meetings with PIs; monitoring overruns and resolving account issues; and ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements and Institute policies. The role collaborates extensively with faculty, research staff, Institute offices, funding agencies, and external research partners to support sponsored research activities involving multiple investigators and institutions.

The full job description is available at https://www.psfc.mit.edu/about/careers/

Job Requirements
REQUIRED : Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years' experience in accounting, finance, or similar field; initiative and the ability to work independently to solve problems with minimal supervision; a good team player and ability to adhere to tight deadlines; strong interpersonal, communication, analysis, and organizational skills; ability to learn changing technologies related to grants and contracts management and federal guidelines and regulations; excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) and SAP or similar grants accounting applications; ability to deal with confidential information and/or issues using discretion and judgment; and experience in managing sponsored awards. PREFERRED : Knowledge of and experience with MIT financial systems.

9/18/2026

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The university is known for its strong emphasis on scientific and technological research and its engineering programs. MIT was founded in 1861 and has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has produced numerous Nobel laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and MacArthur Fellows.
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