Research Development Specialist

The Research Development Office (RDO) seeks a Research Development Specialist to support research development programs and strategic initiatives within the Office of the Vice President for Research. The position provides coordination and administrative support for internal funding programs, limited submission opportunities, skills development activities, and large proposal development initiatives.

The specialist contributes to research intelligence activities by developing funding intelligence reports, competitive analyses, and sponsor landscape reviews that inform faculty and institutional decision-making. The position also supports the testing, implementation, and quality review of emerging research development tools and AI-enabled workflows designed to strengthen proposal competitiveness and research development capacity.

Working collaboratively with faculty, researchers, administrators, and campus partners, the successful candidate will support strategic research development activities that advance faculty success and institutional research priorities.

Work Modality: Hybrid within Iowa

To learn more about the department visit https://research.uiowa.edu/research-development-office

For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.

About Pay and Compensation:

Pay Grade: 4A

Qualifications:

Education or Equivalency Required:

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience (typically 1-3 years) with research development and/or research administration, including knowledge of processes, tools, and services for proposal development, strategic research advancement, or enhancement of collaboration/Team Science.
• General understanding of federal funding agencies and/or private foundations.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service. Please include specific examples of how you have provided outstanding service in your resume or cover letter.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as demonstrated at a working proficiency level.
• Superior organizational skills, attention to detail, and high reliability.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a related field.
• Experience advising researchers on funding opportunity identification, sponsor priorities, and engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with emerging artificial intelligence tools and their application to research development, information analysis, and administrative workflows.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience developing and implementing data collection and tracking methods (e.g., surveys, databases, or reporting systems) to support research, funding, or programmatic activities.
• Working knowledge of University of Iowa policies, procedures, and regulations, and experience working with the University of Iowa Research Information System (UIRIS).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and support research development initiatives.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and data into clear, concise reports, summaries, and presentations for a variety of stakeholders.

Position and Application Details and Instructions:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following required documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

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 required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact: VPR Talent (vpr-talent@uiowa.edu)

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. 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.

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

About the University of Iowa

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Research Support Specialist
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa

Compensation

• Pay Level: 4A

Contact Information

• Organization: Research/Hygienics Lab
• Contact Name: VPR Talent
• Contact Email: vpr-talent@uiowa.edu