Grants Specialist - Bioeconomy Institute

Position Title:
Grants Specialist - Bioeconomy Institute

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with budgeting
Experience with Microsoft Excel
Experience with sponsored funding and interpreting federal guidelines
Experience with project management
Knowledge of ISU policies and procedures

Job Description:

The Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Grants Specialist I position.

The Bioeconomy Institute (BEI) at Iowa State University leads the nation and world in establishing the bioeconomy, where society obtains renewable fuel, energy, chemicals, and materials from agricultural sources, supporting environmentally and economically sustainable solutions. The Institute engages faculty and stakeholders focused on research projects related to biorenewable resources and biobased products. The position will serve a key role in supporting BEI’s engineering & agriculture-focused research teams.

The Grants Specialist will assist with proposal preparation, grants administration, and project management for a core group of BEI faculty and staff affiliated with the Institute. This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing team!

Responsibilities include:

• Review of sponsored funding solicitations

• Preparation and revision of budgets and budget justifications for research proposals

• Providing guidance to faculty and research staff on budgets and proposals

• Assistance with award management, including budget monitoring and financial reporting

• Review of award expenditures and processing expense corrections

• Assisting project personnel with travel arrangements and preparation of travel reimbursements

• Project management and support for interdisciplinary research teams

• Providing support for BEI visitors and Institute events

• Knowledge of ISU and federal policies and procedures

• Communication with central administrative units, on-campus partners, and external collaborators

This position is a key contributor to the BEI administrative team and will support our interdisciplinary research teams. Candidates should have strong customer service and communication skills. Additional skills beneficial to research administration include time management, attention to detail, and adaptability. 

This is a two-year, fixed term position with the expectation for renewal based on funding availability.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.
Level Guidelines
• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision
• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode
• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope
• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained
• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate
• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity
• May provide guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

June 30, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS806

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: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? 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.

Original Posting Date:
May 22, 2024

Posting Close Date:
June 4, 2024

Job Requisition Number:
R14751