Pre-Award Administrator

Position Title: Pre-Award Administrator Job Group: Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: The Nanovaccine Institute at Iowa State University is seeking applicants for a Pre-Award Administrator. This position will be classified as a Research Administrator III. As an institute under the VPR’s office, we offer benefits to research members on campus to support research and student mentorship activities. We offer a full suite of pre- and post-award administrative support to a cohort of researchers centered on the vision and mission of the Nanovaccine Institute. Services and activities include the proposal writing process and budget development to award close out. Staff are available to ensure requirements are met, budgets are managed, and reporting is complete on awards and contracts. Research development and activities of the Nanovaccine Institute are centered on a transdisciplinary approach to transform the design and manufacturing of vaccines and therapeutics that integrates nanotechnology, materials science, immunology, oncology, neuroscience, microbiology, clinical science, and social science. Nanovaccines and nanomedicines developed by the Nanovaccine Institute are designed to encompass bedside-to-bench-and-back considerations including supply chain economics and deployment on a global scale. What You'll Do: Prepare and coordinate complex grant and contract proposals for Nanovaccine Institute-administered projects, including budgets, cost-share commitments, budget justifications, compliance documentation, PI materials, and sponsor-required forms. Coordinate with internal and external collaborators and their research administration staff to fulfill pre-award subrecipient requirements. Provide standard pre-award materials and documentation for Just-in-Time (JIT) requests and sponsored project award reporting. Ensure compliance with federal, state, university, and sponsor regulations related to grants and contracts by maintaining knowledge of applicable laws, policies, and procedures. Develop, implement, and maintain effective pre-award research administration processes, procedures, and best practices. Serve as a liaison with the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) for proposal development and submission activities. Research, identify, and distribute funding opportunities from federal agencies, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and industry sponsors to Nanovaccine Institute members. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, sponsors, and partner institutions to support successful proposal development. Participate in ongoing professional development activities and engage with national research administration organizations to stay current on industry trends and best practices. This is a three-year, fixed term position with the opportunity for renewal. This position does require the employee to reside in the state of Iowa by the start of employment. The successful candidate has the ability to work on-site in Ames if they prefer. Preferred Qualifications: Experience preparing and developing grants, contracts and cooperative agreements. Experience applying the concepts embodied in the Code of Federal regulations including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Experience that demonstrates knowledge of research administration software systems. Experience with budget review and management. About the Nanovaccine Institute: Established at Iowa State University in 2017, the Nanovaccine Institute represents a national, transdisciplinary research consortium to advance nano-based technologies to prevent and treat disease. To learn more, please visit Nanovaccine Institute . 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 [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Appointment Type: Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term) Proposed End Date or Length of Term: August 31, 2029 Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Pay Grade: PS810 Original Posting Date: July 21, 2026 Posting Close Date: August 3, 2026 Job Requisition Number: R19616 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 [email protected] . 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.