Research Support Specialist - Department of Epidemiology

Position Summary

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Application Details: 

To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.  Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 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 five professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. 

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.

Benefits Highlights:

• Regular salaried position.  Located in Iowa City, Iowa. 
• Hybrid work available. 
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
• For more information about Why Iowa? Click here. Why Iowa City? Click here. 

Additional Information:

Classification Title: Research Support Specialist

Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific

Schedule: full time

Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa

Pay Level: 4A

Contact Information:

Organization: College of Public Health

Contact Name: Michele Hogue

Contact Email: michele-hogue@uiowa.edu