Grants Specialist I/II at Iowa State University in Ames, IA

Position Title:

Grants Specialist I/II

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

Job Description:

This posting is for a Grant Specialist position and may be filled at either a Level I or Level II, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skill set. 

Level I:
Support impactful research within the College of Engineering by managing pre-award and/or post-award grant activities. Partner with faculty to develop competitive proposals, build compliant budgets, and interpret federal, state, local, and sponsor guidelines. You will review funding announcements, prepare and route proposals in Streamlyne, and ensure accuracy in salary, fringe, tuition, other direct costs, and indirect cost calculations. In this role, you’ll assist PIs and Co-PIs with budget development, coordinate with internal and external partners, analyze accounting data, and support compliance with Uniform Guidance and university policies. This position is highly collaborative and detail-oriented, ideal for someone who can translate complex regulations into clear guidance, manage multiple deadlines, and support researchers in advancing innovative engineering projects. And this position might also support post-award activities, such as performing accounting reconciliations, preparing financial reports, and serving as a liaison with sponsored program accounting.

Level II:
Support impactful research by independently managing both pre-award and post-award grant activities. Partner with faculty to develop competitive proposals, build compliant budgets, and navigate federal, state, and sponsor guidelines with greater autonomy and judgment. You will review funding opportunities, prepare and route proposals, and ensure accuracy in salary, fringe, tuition, other direct costs, and indirect cost calculations. Following award, you will monitor spending, ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional regulations, process budget revisions, and coordinate with campus partners to keep projects moving efficiently and in alignment with project goals. This role is highly collaborative and detail-driven, ideal for someone who can translate complex regulations into clear guidance, proactively manage multiple priorities, and support researchers in successfully executing innovative projects from proposal through completion. This position is expected to work independently with minimum guidance. And this position might also manage post-award projects, such as performing accounting reconciliations, preparing financial reports, verifying allowability with sponsored program accounting, and completing salary allocations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in pre-award and/or post-award research administration in a higher education or research-intensive environment, including work with faculty and sponsored projects.
• Familiarity with federal funding regulations and compliance requirements, such as Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), NSF/NIH or other major sponsor guidelines.
• Hands-on experience using grant management or proposal systems (e.g., Streamlyne, Cayuse, PeopleSoft, or similar research administration platforms).
• Strong budget development and financial analysis experience, including building detailed project budgets, cost justification, and reconciling expenditures.

About the Department

The Engineering Research Institute (ERI) supports and advances innovative research across the College of Engineering by helping faculty and research teams secure and manage external funding. The department provides comprehensive support throughout the grant lifecycle, including proposal development, budget preparation, compliance guidance, and post-award financial management. ERI works closely with campus partners and sponsoring agencies to ensure research activities meet all regulatory and sponsor requirements. Through this support, the team helps drive impactful research, discovery, and collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Department Website

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

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:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
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.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS807

Original Posting Date:

May 8, 2026

Posting Close Date:

May 21, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19194

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

 

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.