Award Administrator

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Generous vacation and holidays

Onsite childcare

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Iowa State University in Ames, IA is seeking an Award Administrator, a Research Administrator II, to manage sponsored research awards, agreements, and amendments. The role emphasizes compliance with sponsor requirements and university policies, and offers opportunities to support faculty and staff on research administration matters.

The position is on-site in Ames with a three-year fixed term and potential renewal, and requires a Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience, plus CRA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Review, set-up, and manage sponsored research awards, agreements, and amendments.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable regulations.
• Review and approve post-award requests, budget revisions, and funding actions.
• Develop and submit post-award prior-approval requests to sponsors.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty and staff on research administration matters.
• Coordinate award transfers, pre-award spend requests, and other post-award activities.
• Develop, negotiate, and administer subaward agreements and related monitoring activities.
• Review and process internal funding awards and related compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support sponsored project administration and research operations.
• Assist with process improvement initiatives, policy development, and training efforts.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation within research administration systems.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Position Title: Award Administrator Job Group: Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related experience

Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: Do you thrive in a collaborative environment that allows you to build strong relationships throughout the organization? If so, the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) at Iowa State University is currently seeking candidates for an Award Administrator, which will be classified as a Research Administrator II!

What You’ll Do

• Review, set-up, and manage sponsored research awards, agreements, and amendments.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable regulations.
• Review and approve post-award requests, budget revisions, and funding actions.
• Develop and submit post-award prior-approval requests to sponsors.
• Provide guidance and support to faculty and staff on research administration matters.
• Coordinate award transfers, pre-award spend requests, and other post-award activities.
• Develop, negotiate, and administer subaward agreements and related monitoring activities.
• Review and process internal funding awards and related compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support sponsored project administration and research operations.
• Assist with process improvement initiatives, policy development, and training efforts.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation within research administration systems.

The successful candidate has the ability to work on-site in Ames if they prefer. This is a three year, fixed term position with the opportunity for renewal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Experience administering grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.
• Experience applying the concepts embodied in the Code of Federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), and other federal and non-federal sponsor-specific regulations.
• Experience that demonstrates knowledge of research administration software systems.
• Experience with budget review, re-budgeting, and post-award modifications.
• Experience creating and delivering training presentations and materials.
• General knowledge of research compliance requirements including human/animal subjects, conflict of interest, export controls and foreign influence.

Department Description

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) promotes and facilitates the research, education, and outreach missions of Iowa State University by supporting and administering research and sponsored programs. OSPA is the central point of coordination for research and sponsored programs and the University’s authorized representative for grants, contracts and other agreements from external sponsors. The goal of OSPA is to deliver high quality services in an efficient and professional manner in compliance with sponsor rules and regulations.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type: Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term). Proposed End Date or Length of Term: October 18, 2029. Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time. Pay Grade: PS808. Original Posting Date: September 8, 2026. Posting Close Date: September 20, 2026. Job Requisition Number: R19907.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensiveland-grantmission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community.

Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone].

TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.