Research Support Manager - Department of Radiation Oncology

Free Radical & Radiation Biology Research

The Department of Radiation Oncology has an opening for a full-time Research Support Manager to propose, negotiate, prepare, and administer research contracts and grants with various non-profits, companies, and government agencies for the Department of Radiation Oncology. This position will be responsible for departmental grant submissions, planning, accounting, progress reports, and monitoring of grant expenditures including monthly reporting to Principal Investigators. They will assist faculty, staff, and students to identify funding opportunities with understanding of contract or grant regulations and UI and Departmental policies. They will prepare and submit new, competitive, and non-competitive grant applications and administer all related processes related to budgeting, expenditure evaluation, report preparation, and extensions. The position will also act as program administrator for the Department's Free Radical and Radiation Biology Graduate Program including daily oversight and management of the program and function as liaison to faculty, staff, students and public in all graduate and research program activities. They will manage all program accounts, prepare program budget and progress reports, and provide budget control. They will also prepare annual departmental budgets and financial reports for FRRBP Program Director and Departmental Director in collaboration with the Radiation Oncology Clinical Department Administrator.

Grant Exploration and Development

• Identify new sources of funding for basic research and translational research. Evaluate extramural funding opportunities, communicate requirements of funding opportunities to all faculty, postdocs, and graduate students and interpret guidelines to enhance basic, clinical, and translational research.
• Respond to inquiries regarding specific grant opportunities; make recommendations regarding economic feasibility; establish timelines to assure project deadline dates are met; monitor progress of application development and progress reports.
• Develop budgets and budget justifications
• Comply with internal and sponsor deadlines
• Obtain institutional approvals
• Assist secondary faculty from other departments with grant applications as requested.
• Prepare proposals, pre-proposals and letters of support.
• 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. Oversee the preparation and submission of forms such as NIH PHS 398 and PHS 2590 ensuring leadership review and compliance with required guidelines.
• Ensure that all requirements of the applications are met, are completed, and that the application adheres to UI, Departmental, and Sponsor guidelines.
• Work with external co-investigators to obtain the necessary sub-award application materials and ensure adherence to UI and Sponsor guidelines.

Post-Award Administration/Financial Responsibility

• Oversee and manage all externally and internally funded grants and contracts, including forecasting and interpreting funding agency and University guidelines.
• Manage budgets for all grants, contracts, and programs.
• Establish and be responsible for the fiscal management for research programs, contracts, clinical trials, and core facilities, services and administrative support activities.
• Work with principal investigators to ensure required program or progress reports are completed as required by sponsors and funding agencies.
• Ensure compliance with contract/grant terms in accordance with University policies, state & federal regulations, sponsors, and funding agencies.
• Initiate and process original and correcting journal entries as needed and provide the PIs with monthly financial reports. Meet with PIs regularly to communicate budget status and develop financial plans.
• Prepare and maintain appropriate periodic, special grant, and FRRBP operations reports to Departmental leadership and private investigators to facilitate departmental grant/contract financial planning.

Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program Administration

• Administer the FRRBP Graduate program T32 as well as other institutional and extramural funding sources. Provide oversight of the enrollment, processing, and orientation of graduate students.
• Assist in year-end close of accounts and preparation of financial reports and annual budgets in collaboration with the Radiation Oncology CDA.
• Administer procurement and travel processes for the program and core labs. Process deposits and payments as appropriate utilizing the UI AP/PO electronic system, E-Buy system or P-Card system; reconcile p-card; initiate and process procurement requests using the University AP/PO system as requested; prepare e-deposits.
• Oversee invoicing and collection of fees for three RFRRC core lab facility services.
• Coordinate and facilitate regional meetings related to FRRBP Research Program.
• Facilitate purchasing processes for educational programs and research laboratory operations in coordination with Department purchasing agent.
• Plan and arrange for appropriate facilities and services for new capital equipment and/or FRRBP educational and/or research events.
• Provide functional and/or administrative supervision of support staff in FRRBP program.
• Work with FRRBP program director to develop, coordinate, and administer program research activities, such as orientation sessions for new GRAs, annual GRA interview weekend, T32 site visits, and other annual program events.
• Oversee and manage research-related visits, including funding agency representatives and guest speakers by overseeing contracts, travel arrangements, developing itineraries, scheduling partner meetings, promoting activities, and visit follow-up items such as reconciliation of travel vouchers and ensuring payment of honorariums.
• Attend weekly FRRBP faculty meetings.

• Perform other administrative support activities as assigned for the Department of Radiation Oncology and Free Radical and Radiation Biology graduate program.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all departmental faculty, research support staff, postdocs, graduate students, support staff and the public.
• Generate and review quarterly/yearly Personal Activity Reports for Free Radical and Radiation Oncology Department staff.
• Oversee, participate in and serve as primary contact for space analysis and facilities projects related to research areas including yearly CCOM space survey.
• Monitor all departmental accounts (TDRs) for efficiency and implement modifications as required.

Educational Requirement

A Bachelor's degree with experience in research administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required; Master's degree is desirable.

Experience Requirements

• 3-5 years' experience with grant and contract administration.
• 1-3 years' experience with government funding accounting or comparable contract administration.
• Knowledge of current local, state, and federal grant regulations is required, including extensive knowledge of federal GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Standards) and knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the recommendations and implementation of new policies and procedures and interpretation of existing policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in computer software applications including spreadsheet and database software and experience with large databases for data gathering and reporting.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Evidence of success in working with a variety of individuals including faculty, principal investigators, research staff, and funding agencies.
• Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of University of Iowa policies, procedures and regulations.
• Experience with UI accounts payable and purchasing systems such as General Ledger System, E-Pro, MAUI, and HRIS.
• Experience with academic research administration.
• Experience with graduate program administration.

Application Details:

In order to be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume as part of the application process.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and credential verification. Professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

Additional Information:

• Classification: Research Support Manager
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Pay Level: 5A

Benefits Highlights:

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
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Contact Information:

• Contact name: Joleen Timm
• Contact email: joleen-timm@uiowa.edu

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.