Research Support Specialist - Psychiatry

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa's Department of Psychiatry seeks a Research Support Specialist to assist investigators with grant administration and research operations in a dynamic, collaborative environment in Iowa City.

The role includes preparing financial reports, monitoring budgets, ensuring compliance with NIH and university policies, and supporting meetings and data management for multiple studies across psychiatric disorders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with one year of admin experience.
• Knowledge of NIH rules and regulations.
• Experience with grant budget preparation and monitoring.
• Experience in grant accounting and management.
• Proficiency in MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to plan and administer budgets.
• Effective communication and customer service in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work independently and proactively identify improvements.

Responsibilities

• Assist investigators in finding and obtaining external/internal research funding.
• Prepare, navigate, and administer research grants and contracts.
• Support multiple studies and plan future grant submissions.
• Prepare and submit financial and material reports to agencies.
• Monitor compliance with contract/grant terms and university policies.
• Organize meetings/events and serve as local site coordinator.
• Communicate with external funding agencies and university offices.
• Support year-end reporting and audit questions.

Skills

NIH rules

Grant budgeting

Grant accounting

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Budget planning

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa is seeking a Research Support Specialist to assist our research team. Our talented faculty and staff are dedicated to making significant discoveries on a range of psychiatric disorders and disciplines such as aging disorders and dementias, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disorders, genetics, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, and tele psychiatry. If you enjoy helping others in a positive, friendly, and polite atmosphere, consider being a part of this interesting and exciting place to work.

The Research Support Specialist assists investigators in the Department of Psychiatry by navigating, preparing, and administering research grants and contracts. The Research Support Specialist is responsible for independently submitting financial and material reports and schedules to granting agencies. Will support the finance team through the monitoring of budgets, establishing fiscal controls, allocating funds, and initiating and/or approving financial transactions. Will perform administrative support tasks to ensure the smooth functioning of the research office; organize and facilitate meetings/events, function as and a local site coordinator, and serve as a resource to other administrative staff.

Characteristic duties and responsibilities

• Assist investigators in finding, exploring, and obtaining external and internal research funding.
• Prepare, navigate, and administer research grants and contracts.
• Will support multiple research studies and help in the development of plans for future grant submissions.
• Independently prepare and submit financial and material reports and schedules for University and granting agencies.
• Evaluate and review Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Analyze, monitor, and report data, information, and reports.
• May initiate and approve workflow transactions.
• Monitor compliance with contract/grant terms in accordance with University policies and state and federal regulations.
• May perform other administrative support tasks in support of the research (e.g., organize and facilitate meetings/events, respond to inquiries, recruit research participants, monitor research protocols, data collection, analysis, and management; serve as local site coordinator; maintain website content, etc.).
• Communicate with and serve as a liaison with external funding agencies related to supporting the research.
• Communicate with the Division of Sponsored Programs and Grant Accounting offices and assist Research Support Manager with year-end reporting and audit questions.
• Support the preparation of private industry sponsored funding opportunities.
• Provide support in the transfer of research funding from other institutions for new faculty.
• May provide functional supervision and/or administrative supervision of staff. May provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.

Supervision

• Supervision is received from the Research Support Manager.
• May be assigned supervision of students or staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience plus one-year administrative experience.
• Knowledge of NIH rules and regulations.
• Experience with grant budget preparation and monitoring.
• Experience in grant accounting and management.
• Extensive proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, and Excel.
• Ability to process information with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Knowledge and ability to apply policies and practices for planning and administering a budget.
• Capable of effective communication, tools, and techniques to transmit, receive and interpret information.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality customer service in a deadline driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with manuscript preparation and submission.
• Knowledge of University practices, rules and regulations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to multi-task, prioritize and coordinate multiple duties.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Research Support Specialist
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity 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, 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, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .