The Earth & Space Research Administration (ESRA) serves as a centralized shared services hub at UMBC, providing dedicated Human Resources and Payroll support to faculty, researchers, staff, graduate assistants, and students working within UMBC’s collaborative research centers and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) cooperative agreements (including GESTAR II, CSST, ESI, and GPHI).
Our dedicated HR and payroll administrators act as a vital bridge between grant-funded personnel and UMBC’s central Department of Human Resources & Strategic Talent Management. We streamline personnel operations so our research community can focus on driving scientific innovation.
Here are the main ways we support you through your journey at UMBC:
- Welcoming You to the Team: We guide you through the entire hiring process, from your first pre-hire request to your first day on campus, ensuring you have everything you need to start your research with confidence.
- Managing Your Career Milestones: Whether it’s renewing a contract, transitioning to a new position, or managing an appointment update, we handle the paperwork so your focus stays on your work.
- Taking Care of Your Pay: We’re here to help you navigate timecards and ensure you’re paid accurately. We also manage the complex funding details behind the scenes to keep your compensation seamless.
- Supporting Our International Community: If you’re joining us from abroad, we’ll help you navigate the essential visa, tax, and employment documentation required to work and live in the U.S.
- Your First Point of Contact: From benefits questions to everyday HR workflows, think of us as your friendly neighborhood resource. For specific benefits questions, you can also connect with central HR Benefits at hrbenefits@umbc.edu.
The ESRA HR team is here to ensure seamless, compliant, and efficient personnel management.