60%-100% Research Support Specialist -Hybrid- Cancer Center

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa is seeking a Research Support Specialist to coordinate and perform research support activities for the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center with emphasis on exploring funding opportunities, assisting in grant proposal preparation, submission, post-award administration and operational support.  Lead research administrator for multi-project, multicomponent U and P level grants including SPOREs (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence).

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of both on-campus (UI Health Care) and remote work within the state of Iowa upon completion of a 6 month onsite training period, with the majority of work taking place on the U of I/UI Health Care campus.  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

Duties to include:

Prepare, submit and administer post-award functions for complex cancer focused grants. Specialize in multi-project and multicomponent applications spanning UI Colleges and Departments. These often include external collaborators. In addition, other grant support is provided for supplemental grants and contracts.

Grant Exploration and Development

• Provide support for a portfolio of research studies conducted within the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

• Assist investigators associated with the HCCC in finding and obtaining external and internal research funding.

• Perform routine review of grant funding agency regulations to identify/obtain specific grant or guideline information and updates to assure information is integrated into grant submission documents appropriately.

• Prepare, navigate and administer grants and contracts; evaluate requests for proposals (RFP); prepare and review proposals to assure completeness; route proposals.

• Assist faculty, staff and students with preparation and submission of proposals; coordinate grant submissions for Cancer Center members. 

• Participate in the development and preparation of grant proposals including budget preparation. 

• Review and respond to internal requests for information, review and proof information to ensure documents are accurate and complete prior to submission to grant funding agency/organizations.

• Maintain current knowledge of electronic proposal submission processes for all types of grants; extensive use of Cayuse (similar to Grants.gov) NIH Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR) & Proposal Central.

• Prepare and submit forms assuring leadership review and compliance with required guidelines. 

• Review ScienceCV conversion and submission, review to determine missing information and obtain and update information from faculty and staff as necessary per NIH guidelines.

• Prepare and process routing forms utilizing the UIRIS electronic routing forms; assist others in the Cancer Center who need assistance processing electronic forms; answer questions and provide tutorials as necessary.

• Organize and compile final grant copy assuring various sections are in appropriate order and final proof has been completed by Administration, route to appropriate departments, assure all documentation is completed in a timely manner and grant deadlines are maintained.

Post-Award Administration/Financial Responsibility

• Prepare and submit post-award financial and material reports and schedules for University and granting agencies.

• Monitor budgets monthly, establish fiscal controls, prepare fund allocations  to comply with internal and sponsor deadlines.

• Maintain EVAL activity investment tracking and spreadsheets for research programs, seed grants, contracts, clinical trials, core facilities, services and administrative support activities.

• Analyze, monitor and report financial data, information and reports.

• May initiate grant-related Change of Status and PayCV transactions as requested.

Compliance

• Monitor compliance with contract/grant terms in accordance with University policies and state and federal regulations.

• Ensure Investigator training takes place in a timely manner.

Operational/Administrative Support

• Perform other administrative support tasks in support of the research (e.g., respond to inquiries, data collection, analysis and management; prepare agendas, prepare meeting minutes, maintain website content, etc.).

• Coordinate and perform the annual space reporting and scientific equipment inventory required by Central Administration; work with UI Central Administration and external agencies as needed during the inventory process; reconcile missing equipment. 

• Attend meetings to expand knowledge of grant application procedures which may include occasional out of town travel.

• Coordinate all aspects of annual grant related retreats, including monitoring and documenting attendance, venue, catering hotel accommodations, presentations, networking, etc.

• Maintain databases associated with membership, publications, data tables used for reporting to funding agencies. Provide back up support for publications, grant tracking and membership functions.

• Process payments as appropriate utilizing the UI AP/PO electronic system; reconcile p-cards as requested; initiate and process procurement requests using the University AP/PO system as requested.

• Perform other administrative support activities as assigned for the Cancer Center grants office.

• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public.

External Communication and Negotiations

• Responsible for drafting external communications for leadership and investigator review.

• Accelerate and assist with new faculty grant transfers from external organizations. Often involving navigating prior institutions and funding agency approvals.

• Coordinate all aspects of annual grant related newsletters; collect information, work with graphic designer on layout and printing, coordinate distribution.

Job Family Technical Competencies:

• Knowledge of finance and accounting practices, financial analysis, and reporting; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to different situations.

• Knowledge of and ability to use processes, tools and services for developing and managing grants and contracts. 

• Knowledge of the contractual, compliance and legal matters related to expenditures related to grants from various federal, state and private funding agencies; ability to evaluate, interpret and improve the language used in grant contractual agreements.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Administrative and functional supervision received by HCCC Associate Director for Administration

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May supervise students or other staff as assigned

UI Health Care Core Values (WE CARE)

Welcoming

We are welcoming to the community, partners, staff, and patients utilizing the collective strength of our people. 

Excellence

We achieve and deliver our personal and collective best in the pursuit of quality and accessible health care, education, and research.

Collaboration    

We collaborate with health care systems, providers, and communities across Iowa and the region as well within our UI community. We believe teamwork- guided by compassion- is the best way to work.

Accountability  

We behave ethically, act openly and with integrity in all that we do, taking responsibility for our actions.

Respect             

We create an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, supporting the well-being and success of all members of our community.

Empowerment 

We commit to fair access to research, health care, and education for our community and opportunities for personal and professional growth for our staff and learners.

University of Iowa Health Care—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is Iowa’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. The NCI designation recognized our cancer center, and its research scientist, physicians, and other health care professionals, for their roles in advancing cancer research that impacts on our ability to prevent, detect and treat our patients with cancer. Not just a floor, or a building, or even confined to a single college. Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center coordinates all cancer-related research, education, and patient care by faculty from 41 departments and six colleges, as well as UI Health Care and UI Children’s Hospital.

Percent of Time: 60%-100%

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, Hours generally worked between 7:00am-5pm

Pay Grade: 4A

https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/guide-pay-plans

Benefits Highlights:

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, IA

• 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

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Business Administration in business degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• One to three years of grant related experience.

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Excel.

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated attention to detail.

Desired Qualifications

• Pre-award grant application experience highly desirable.

• Post-award grant accounting experience highly desirable.

• Knowledge of University of Iowa policies, procedures and regulations

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter(under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

References: Five professional references will be requested and required at a later step in the recruitment process

This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. 

With additional questions, please reach out to Sarah Waldschmidt at sarah-waldschmidt@uiowa.edu