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Research Operations Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Research Operations Assistant information

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$10

$18

$28

How much do research operations assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for research operations assistant in Iowa is $18.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.47 and $21.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research operations assistant?

Research Operations Assistants are professionals who provide administrative and logistical support to research teams, helping ensure studies and projects run smoothly. They may handle tasks such as scheduling, maintaining research documentation, coordinating meetings, managing supplies, and assisting with compliance and data entry. Their work allows researchers to focus on conducting experiments and analyzing results by managing the behind-the-scenes operations. Research Operations Assistants often work in academic, clinical, or corporate research environments, collaborating with scientists, project managers, and other staff.

How does a research operations assistant typically support collaboration between research teams and other departments?

A Research Operations Assistant plays a key role in facilitating smooth communication and coordination between research teams and other departments such as IT, HR, or finance. They often help schedule meetings, manage documentation, and ensure that all logistical needs for research projects are met. By handling administrative tasks and acting as a central point of contact, they enable researchers to focus on their core work and help resolve cross-departmental issues efficiently. This collaborative support is crucial in maintaining project timelines and promoting a productive research environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research operations assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Operations Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in research administration or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with project management tools, data management systems, and compliance software is commonly required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability help you efficiently support research teams and handle shifting priorities. These skills ensure smooth research processes, regulatory compliance, and effective collaboration within research environments.

What is the difference between Research Operations Assistant vs Research Coordinator?

AspectResearch Operations AssistantResearch Coordinator
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; certifications are a plusUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree; certifications in research management are common
Work EnvironmentSupports research teams in labs or office settings, handling administrative and logistical tasksManages research projects, coordinates activities, and liaises with stakeholders
Employer & Industry UsageFound in academic, healthcare, and corporate research settingsCommon in clinical, academic, and industry research projects

The Research Operations Assistant primarily provides administrative and logistical support within research teams, focusing on day-to-day operations. In contrast, the Research Coordinator manages research projects, oversees compliance, and coordinates between teams and stakeholders. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Operations jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Research Operations jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Research Operations Assistant jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Research Operations Assistant job openings:

Clinical Research Manager - NICU Research

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Oversees all clinical research study activities in the Division of Neonatology, including coordination, scheduling, and procedures in the NICU

  • Provides oversight and leadership in conducting multiple scientific protocols simultaneously and interfaces with administrative and clinical staff

  • Manages research team staff, coordinates data processing and analysis, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

464th of 630 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics division of Neonatology is seeking to hire a Clinical Research Manager. The Clinical Research Manager is responsible for providing oversight to all clinical research study activities in the UI Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology; interfacing with administrative and clinical staff, providing expertise and leadership in conducting multiple scientific protocols simultaneously; providing oversight to Neonatal Research Network research operations at the University of Iowa and Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; supporting research staff in conducting research procedures with NICU patients; co-directing the monthly Iowa Neonatal Clinical Research Committee (iNCRC) meeting; managing research team staff; coordinating the processing and analysis of data; presenting study information to clinical staff and funding agencies; and managing budgets for multiple protocols.

Position Responsibilities: 

  • Works closely with the Neonatology Division Director and the Neonatology Research Director to cultivate a progressive strategy for clinical research within the division

  • Manages all aspects of the research program in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics

  • Provides oversight to Neonatal Research Network (NRN) research operations in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa as well as NRN-related studies at the satellite site in Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

  • Oversees the operation of all neonatal clinical research projects in the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, including the recruitment, coordination and scheduling of subject participation and procedures as required by protocols in the NICU

  • Interfaces with administrative and clinical staff at each site, providing leadership in conducting, organizing, improving, and maintaining the delivery of complex scientific protocols, functioning as an expert on all phases of multiple projects conducted simultaneously in the NICU

  • Provides consultative services to the principal investigators and other participating centers regarding feasibility, execution, and administration of protocols

  • Acts as co-chair of the Iowa Neonatal Clinical Research Committee

  • Maintains a general knowledge of the care of infants, especially premature infants

  • Assists with writing grant applications, writes directions for study procedures, collaborates with healthcare and ancillary services in conduction of studies, assuring that enrollment is accruing as expected, data collection and entry is complete and accurate, and assist with data tabulation and writing for scientific publications and presentation at meetings

  • Oversees quality assurance/auditing of individual subject data

  • Oversees the monitoring of the health status and safety of all subjects during study participation, including troubleshooting of equipment and pharmacy processes for protocols

  • Assists lead coordinator in developing presentations to orient new nursing and medical staff to multiple research protocols

  • Oversees research coordinators in conducting meetings and educational sessions with clinical staff for study procedures and equipment

  • Works with coordinators in developing presentations and brochures to recruit study participants

  • Works with coordinators in developing/writing IRB applications and other regulatory requirements for research protocols

  • Provides guidance for maintaining regulatory requirements for Sioux Falls Sanford Health

  • Serves as administrative liaison with regulatory offices

  • Completes regulatory submissions and close out processes

  • Hires, develops, and manages the performance of clinical healthcare research associates, research assistants and students, assuring that all are compliant with UI policies and procedures

  • Manages all research personnel (research assistants, associates and data abstractors) which includes regular one-on-one meetings

  • Attends daily research team huddle

  • Assists with the creation and maintenance of NICU clinical research team schedule, including on-call

  • Maintains records of ethical, regulatory, and good clinical practices training among all research staff at Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, division of neonatology

  • Performs public relations activities on behalf of the division of neonatology and Sanford Health

  • Provides leadership and management of budgets for clinical research protocols in the neonatology division; meets regularly with division administrative personnel and departmental financial research support manager; continuously monitors and approves expenditures for studies to keep within budgetary constraints for protocols

  • Oversees the operations of the division of neonatology national and internal databases/registries, ensuring accurate and timely data acquisition and entry, auditing and reviewing records, coordinating with division members in obtaining data and reports

About the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics and UI Stead Family Children's Hospital

The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is a national leader in pediatric medicine.  The Department's mission is to provide outstanding care to the children of Iowa and beyond by being a leader in state-of-the-art clinical care to children, performing cutting-edge research to find new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses, and educating the next generation of pediatric health care providers.  The Department comprises the medical and research staff of UI Stead Family Children's Hospital.  UI Stead Family Children's Hospital is one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric care and research institutions, and Iowa's only comprehensive children's hospital.

About The Division of Neonatology

The nationally recognized Division of Neonatology is committed to providing innovative, comprehensive, high-quality care from our team that results in the best outcomes for infants cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Each year, approximately 950 babies receive a range of neonatal services in the 88-bed NICU, Iowa's only Level IV NICU that has been consistently ranked among the top NICUs in the country for over 10 years. The program is home to world leading programs in both neonatal hemodynamics and extreme prematurity. The scope and expertise of divisional neonatologists and pediatric colleagues is such that they are resourced to provide a level of care and services unavailable in most NICUs, including subspecialty neonatal hemodynamics, neurocritical care and extreme prematurity programs, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.

Education Requirement:

  • A Master's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience Requirements:

  • 3-5 years of experience in health care clinical research

  • Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people feel safe and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so

  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

  • Excellent organizational skills

  • Ability to travel out-of-state, less than 10%

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Knowledge of regulatory guidelines and procedures

  • Previous experience in neonatology

  • Previous experience in IRB, FDA regulations and budget development

  • Previous supervisory experience

  • Previous experience with Redcap and proficiency with Excel

Position and Application details:

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

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 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 pedsuichildrenshr@healthcare.uiowa.edu

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

Additional Information
  • Classification Title: Clin Trials Rsrch Manager
  • Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 5a
  • Starting Salary Minimum: 62000
Contact Information
  • Organization: Healthcare
  • Contact Name: Bradley Phillips
  • Contact Email: pedsuichildrenshr@healthcare.uiowa.edu

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