Research Support Specialist
Serve as a member of the Department of Epidemiology finance and research team, plan and coordinate the fiscal management and administrative activities as assigned within the research centers and programs.
Grant Exploration and Development:
Perform pre-award administrative activities for assigned faculty.
Assist departmental faculty and researchers with proposal submissions to various federal and non-federal sponsors. Activities include but are not necessarily limited to:
Developing budgets, budget justifications, reviewing and adhering to proposal submission guidelines, online grant systems, preparing forms, preparing and maintaining documents for submission packages, preparing just- in-time requests, coordinate cost-share requests and subcontracts and meet multiple overlapping deadlines in support of external grant submissions.
Prepare and write program materials, including correspondence, reports and budget justifications.
Prepare, assemble, and distribute program materials, including contract and grant applications.
Prepare and route various grant/contract forms, such as proposals, subcontract agreements, progress reports, and material transfer agreements.
Post-Award Administration/Financial Responsibility:
Function as primary contact for assigned faculty, managers, and other staff in a wide range of financial transactions.
Prepare monthly reports illustrating revenues, encumbrances, and projected balances to make recommendations and take actions to resolve issues.
Enforce various sponsored guidelines and university policies and procedures.
Respond to requests for financial information from sponsors.
Finalize financial status reports and resolve issues with Sponsored Programs.
Prepare journal entries as required.
Review financial reports and alert faculty to areas of concern.
Assist with progress reports and manage faculty other support documents.
Prepare and maintain periodic and special program operations and/or financial reports. This includes monitoring and reconciling monthly budgets and expenses. Create and process invoices.
Assemble financial and other data to respond to inquiries from departmental, college, governmental, or funding agencies.
Prepare detailed cost projections in support of multiple research projects.
Compliance:
Monitor compliance with contract/grant terms in accordance with University policies and state and federal regulations.
Establish timelines, and work with Principal Investigators and Grant Accounting to ensure monthly and periodic mandatory program reports are completed and sent to funding agencies as required for timely reimbursement.
Provide guidance to faculty and/or other departmental staff regarding research support regulations and the appropriateness of expenditures.
Maintain confidentiality of data, including financial and human resource information.
Operational/Administrative Support:
Organize and synthesize complex information about financial aspects, resulting in clear and comprehensive summaries.
Workflow related approvals (i.e., purchasing, travel, and human resources electronic transaction routing) ensuring contract/grant compliance.
Compile, process, organize, analyze, monitor and maintain data according to prescribed parameters established or with conditions specified by the source of funding.
Evaluate and initiate requests for services, supplies, equipment and maintenance.
Perform administrative support tasks in support of the research, including organizing and facilitating meetings/events; responding to inquiries; and monitoring research protocols, budgets and deadlines.
External Communication and Negotiations:
Act as a liaison with participating faculty and University departmental offices.
Participate in contract/grant negotiations and analysis of fiscal and contract provisions with other agencies and entities.
Leadership/Supervision:
Administrative and functional supervision may be exercised over assigned support staff and students.
Required Qualification:
A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
Prior experience with contract and grant administration or relevant experience in a comparable environment with tight regulatory and compliance requirements.
Considerable (1-3 years) experience related to fiscal management or administration including multi-project financial review and analysis, with the ability to track and project financial activity and commitments.
Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and computerized database management systems.
Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to function independently.
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience with grant proposal/contract preparation, including a demonstrated ability to interpret proposal/contract guidelines required by sponsoring agencies.
Experience with budget preparation and program reporting, including charts and/or documents of a technical or scientific nature.
Experience using University accounting and human resources systems, policies, procedures, and regulations.
Knowledge of University policies, procedures and regulations.
Position and Application Details:
This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For questions, contact Michele Hogue michele-hogue@uiowa.edu
Benefits Highlights: This is a regular, salaried position. Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: Benefits | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Research Support Specialist
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: 50%-100% position
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation: Pay Level: 4A
Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
