Research Administrator III

Position Title:
Research Administrator III

Job Group:
Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Pre- or post-award grant management experience.
Experience negotiating supplier contracts and enacting procurement policies and procedures.
Experience that demonstrates fund/grant accounting principles and practices.
Knowledge of ISU policies and regulations.
Supervisory experience.

Job Description:

Agricultural Innovation starts here! 

The ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab (www.isudigitalag.org) consists of professional staff and graduate students who work closely with industry partners to develop advanced technology solutions for agriculture.  Our impact is measured by economic development within our industry, jobs created in Iowa, and innovations licensed to our corporate colleagues.  We are passionate about industry partnerships and enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency through service and science-driven solutions. 

The Research Administrator III will be a key member of the team. This highly collaborative position includes project management, grant administration, and budget responsibilities. With over 35 new externally funded grants per year, this is an exciting time to join our dynamic team!

Responsibilities include:

• Development, submission, campus unit interfacing, and billing of approximately 35 new externally funded grants per year.

• Lead monthly budget meetings with Project Managers to review activities, discuss budget status, and assess or modify spending and execution plans required to meeting project deliverables. 

• Lead post-award project and financial administration through the preparation of financial reports, monitoring budgets, establishing fiscal controls, and reporting financial data and information.

• Contribute to drafting financial projections and future budgeting models. 

• Responsible for logistical execution of scheduling, space, and budgeting for team-sponsored events.

• Point of contact for industry sponsors and campus partners for Digital Ag.

• Provides approvals on invoices, supplier contracts, and costing assignments.

• Consultation and expertise in areas of policy compliant, procedure, and programming of team purchasing, travel, and administrative support.

• May assist with employment business needs such as hiring of students, preparing initial onboarding schedules, and timekeeping. 

• Promote internal customer satisfaction.

• Manage a local team of administrative support staff.

This work will be completed in a highly collaborative team environment.  The successful candidate:

• Demonstrates the ability to work independently.

• Manages and completes projects within a specified timeline.

• Communicates effectively and provides technical leadership.

• Ensures a safe working environment.

This position provides strong work diversity in a welcoming environment. Candidates who are detail-oriented, organized, and value being on a strong team are encouraged to apply.  All staff members are expected to interact collegially and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, and ethics. The Digital Agriculture Innovations Team offers multiple opportunities for career growth and technical development for its employees. This is a three-year term position, with expectation for renewal based on availability of funding. Position will remain open until filled.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. 

Level Guidelines
• Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
• May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
• May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:
Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

April 21, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work Period

Time Type:
Full time

Pay Grade:
PS810

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?
Our 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

Original Posting Date:
March 22, 2024

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:
R14285