Research Support Specialist - Psychiatry

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Iowa's Department of Psychiatry seeks a Research Support Specialist to assist our research team with grants, contracts, and financial reporting. You will help navigate, prepare, and monitor funded projects across neuroscience and psychiatry research areas, coordinating with faculty and the finance team.

This role emphasizes meticulous budgeting, data analysis, and timely liaison with external funding agencies, while ensuring adherence to NIH rules and university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 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 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Ability to communicate clearly and work with high accuracy under deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Assist investigators in finding, exploring, and obtaining external and internal research funding.
• Prepare, navigate, and administer research grants and contracts.
• Support multiple research studies and assist in plans for future grant submissions.
• Independently prepare and submit financial and material reports to University and granting agencies.
• Monitor compliance with contract/grant terms and university policies.

Skills

NIH rules & regulations

Grant budgeting

Grant accounting & management

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

Application Process

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum 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.

Professional references will be required at a later time in the recruitment process.

For more information, contact [e-mail].

Additional Information

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

Compensation

• Pay Level: 4A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Lori Posey
• Contact Email: [e-mail]