Research Administration Coordinator - Grants Hub

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Do you enjoy helping teams work more efficiently and effectively? Do you want to have an impact on how research is supported at Iowa State?

If so, the Grants Hub is seeking a Research Administration Coordinator to support our mission of helping Iowa State researchers win funding and build interdisciplinary research teams. This position will be classified as a Research Administrator I.

The Research Administration Coordinator will administer the various software platforms and processes that enable our research development services and recommend ways to improve them. They will also coordinate limited submission and internal funding processes, help researchers find funding opportunities, coordinate incoming requests, and will often be a researcher’s first point of contact with the Grants Hub. In addition, the Research Administration Coordinator will support program logistics for NSF I-RAISE (Iowa Research Administration Internship Student Experience).

What You’ll Do:

• Administer software platforms and processes for ticketing, file management, limited submission and internal funding competitions, external funding searches, and pre-award project management. 
• Develop and deploy new tools (or oversee their development by student interns) that leverage automations and AI to effectively and ethically streamline research administration tasks.
• Teach researchers and research support staff how best to use software tools to find funding opportunities and collaborators.
• Search for and evaluate limited submission funding opportunities, as well as other external funding opportunities and data to support OVPR strategic priorities.
• Post and publicize internal calls for proposals and coordinate the internal review and selection processes for limited submission and internal funding competitions.
• Facilitate logistics for NSF I-RAISE to publicize the program, coordinate application review, match student interns to mentors, ensure a positive on-campus experience for visiting students, and provide basic post-award administrative support.

The successful candidate will have exceptional organizational and time management skills; a high comfort level with technology; strong oral and written communications skills; a proactive and collaborative approach to customer service and innovation; a high attention to detail; and the ability to adjust to shifting deadlines and priorities.

The successful candidate must reside in the state of Iowa on or before their start date. This position offers the flexibility to work on-site in Ames or in a hybrid work arrangement as well.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with research administration or research development, preferably in an academic environment
• Experience reading and interpreting requests for proposals (RFPs) in various disciplines
• Demonstrated experience working with a project management platform such as Smartsheet or Airtable
• Demonstrated experience working with major funding search databases and research intelligence tools (e.g., Pivot-RP, grants.gov, Academic Analytics)
• Experience developing, validating, and deploying tools such as automated workflows and AI agents to improve complex administrative processes

About Grants Hub at Iowa State University:
The Grants Hub is Iowa State’s central research development unit, located within the Office of the Vice President for Research. We are proactive and future-focused, providing strategic pre-award support and consultation to help researchers successfully compete for funding and build high-impact research teams. Our broad range of services are available to new and experienced investigators from all colleges, departments, and disciplines. To learn more, please visit Grants Hub.

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.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• 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 [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

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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. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

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.