Research job opportunities

Position Overview

The Office of Sponsored Programs is responsible for ensuring the responsible stewardship of research funding, and overseeing the submission of proposals by reviewing those proposals to ensure compliance with federal, State, University and sponsor regulations and guidelines.

The Accounting Specialist II performs a variety of accounting activities that range in level of complexity from clerical accounting duties such as managing receivables and payables, to more complex duties such as reconciling accounts and resolving accounting problems.

Job Duties

Prepare and complete the closeout of sponsored project awards by: (estimated effort: 30%):

• Monitoring approaching award termination dates and contacting departments and PIs to ensure awards are being either prepped for closeout or that an extension has been requested
• Reviewing agreement/contract to verify final reporting requirements, including final invoice and final financial reporting due dates, and special reporting requirements (e.g. patent and property reporting)
• Working with Department Grant Administrators (DGAs) to ensure all expenditures have posted to Banner or, if expenditures are still pending, adjusting final invoices to reflect those expenses
• Reviewing/auditing expenditures for compliance that posted in Banner at the end and after of the award performance period and inform DGAs of the steps to remove costs if needed
• Prepare in house closes for awards that do not allow carryforward of funds into the next project year
• Analyzing and reconciling budgeted amounts, funds received, accounts receivable balance and general ledger to ensure financial numbers are accurate
• Researching differences in general ledger balances and process correcting entries or make recommendations for potentially writing off uncollectable or errors in balances
• Ensuring that final invoices and reports are submitted within the contractual guidelines to avoid potential loss of funding
• Working with Principal Investigators (PIs) to complete final and accurate patent and property reports
• Monitoring final payments and inactivating Banner accounts
• Reviewing Burn Rate Report monthly for termed grants and verify remaining balances are accurate and ensure accounts are being inactivated in a timely manner and all sponsors requirements have been satisfied
• Submitting outstanding obligations and process adjusting entries to correct balances if applicable. Seek assistance from management for complex accounting issues

Ensure collection of funds from Sponsors by (estimated effort: 30%):

• Reviewing and verifying accuracy of amounts indicated by Banner process
• Researching, analyzing and resolving discrepancies
• Preparing and submitting monthly, quarterly, fixed-price and other invoices and backup documentation in compliance with sponsor policies and processes
• Working with PIs as needed for technical documentation to be included with invoices as needed
• Preparing and requesting fund electronically from various federal letter of credit systems to meet bi-weekly payroll requirements
• Performing review of balances in letter of credit systems verses balances in Banner and document differences on letter of credit spreadsheet
• Performing reconciliation of balances in letter of credit systems verses letter of credit spreadsheet and research and resolve differences for accuracy
• Reviewing accounts receivable regularly and follow up on overdue invoices
• Working directly with sponsor’s representative to resolve any accounts receivable or other invoicing issues

Create and submit periodic and final financial reports to federal and other sponsors by (estimated effort: 25%):

• Reviewing contractual or regulatory guidance at account setup to ensure that system event dates are accurate and reporting is not delinquent
• Reviewing Banner data prior to preparation of reports to ensure accuracy
• Preparing and submitting federal financial and other sponsor-format reports as required
• Researching, analyzing and resolving discrepancies

Oversee the financial administration of ongoing sponsored projects by (estimated effort: 10%):

• Reviewing and assessing contractual documents to determine billing, financial reporting and technical reporting requirements at account setup
• Ensuring system event dates are set up to notify PIs of technical reporting due dates

Other position expectations to include by (estimated effort: 5%):

• Maintaining and meeting deadlines
• Understanding the role of ‘subject matter experts’ in financial compliance
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities (R&R) as delineated in the University R&R matrix
• Utilizing Banner, VERAS and other University systems for position responsibilities
• Maintaining an understanding of federal, state and other regulations and processes to ensure minimal risk of loss to the University due to non-compliance
• Maintaining professional relationships with sponsors, including responding promptly to inquiries or issues
• Acting as a liaison between the PI/DGAs and the sponsor with regard to all financial matters
• Ensuring seamless customer services by communicating information to the appropriate personnel in OSP
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalency

Additional information

• Apply through the University of Idaho Careers page.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the letter of qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin on September 9, 2026.

Position Overview

The IMCI Image and Data Acquisition Core (IDAC) Manager reports to the IDAC Director and IMCI Director within the University of Idaho’s Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation (IMCI). The position oversees operation, maintenance, service and user training for core research equipment, including flow cytometers, microscopes, ddPCR, calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance and pinning robots. The Manager administers user charges, provides core usage statistics, coordinates vendor support and maintains productive relationships with University personnel, equipment users and vendors. This position will work between 20-30 hours per week.

Provides functional supervision of day-to-day activities of a laboratory or field research enterprise, including directing the activities of graduate and undergraduate students, staff researchers and research support staff. Develops guidelines and protocols for lab operations. Assures quality control; maintains budget; and operates, tests and repairs electronic and/or scientific test equipment used. Assists with the construction and modification of new and prototype scientific devices.

Job Duties

Operate and maintain IDAC equipment and oversee equipment use by: (estimated effort: 75%):

• Operating a cell sorter, confocal microscopes and analytical instruments to acquire optical imaging and other analytical data
• Managing instruments and computers for data analysis, scheduling and use
• Overseeing the Bookitlab scheduling and user fees billing software
• Training, supervising and assisting users to operate instruments and equipment
• Managing user data by ensuring proper storage and backups, and communicating with users about data storage and retrieval
• Configuring computers for instrument integration and analysis program requirements, and installing and updating data and image acquisition and analysis software
• Maintaining and troubleshooting instruments and equipment and ensuring quality control
• Interacting with researchers and vendors to address problems beyond the operator’s capabilities
• Repairing hardware and software issues as able or coordinating with outside services
• Managing equipment service and maintenance agreements
• Coordinating all user access to the core facility and arranging user training on instruments and software from vendors
• Maintaining the laboratory space by properly accumulating and disposing of hazardous waste, tracking equipment inventory and organizing resources
• Ensuring that University regulations, federal laws and appropriate policies are adhered to and take appropriate actions to address violations

Provide effective management to facilitate financial stability and viability of the core by (estimated effort: 15%):

• Submitting user charges for IMCI administration to complete billing in a timely manner
• Reporting usage and accounting statistics to IMCI and UI administrators as requested
• Working with IMCI administration to determine the annual budget, create and maintain service center fee structures and develop a sustainable business plan
• Coordinating website maintenance and updates
• Marketing the core by advertising a variety of results from core instruments and providing demonstrations, tours and workshops to promote the potential of the core
• Promoting customer service improvement through monitoring, surveying and reporting customer satisfaction and taking corrective actions to improve service

Facilitate optimal and appropriate technology usage by (estimated effort: 5%):

• Consulting with IMCI Administrative Team and UI faculty, staff and students regarding instrumentation, technical capabilities and services available to support research programs
• Reading relevant scientific literature and technical bulletins specific to improving imaging and cytometry, as well as analytical methods, for the existing equipment

Safety and Compliance by (estimated effort: 10%):

• Providing a safe and effective work environment and appropriate safety training for users
• Ensuring that all IDAC activities comply with safety standards set by the University of Idaho Environmental Health and Safety Office, the University of Idaho Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Additional information

• Apply through the University of Idaho Careers page.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the letter of qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin on August 24, 2026.

Position Overview

The Idaho Geological Survey (IGS) is seeking a Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist to join a multidisciplinary team supporting geologic mapping and geospatial data initiatives across Idaho. This position develops and manages geospatial databases, performs GIS analyses, creates and edits digital geologic maps and supports the publication of geologic data products. Working with considerable independence, the successful candidate will apply GIS, cartographic and database management expertise to advance state and federally funded projects, improve data accessibility and workflows and help deliver geospatial information that supports scientific research, natural resource management, hazard assessment and informed decision-making.

This position supports IGS staff in research and grant-related responsibilities across programs in all GIS needs, including database creation and management, digital cartography and geologic mapping editing and layout. They will be responsible for interpreting spatial data, conducting analyses, creating maps and providing actionable insights. This position requires the ability to work independently and provides support and technical guidance to the Digital Mapping Manager and Survey staff on GIS-related matters.

Job Duties

Provide GIS support by (estimated effort: 45%):

• Supporting projects through GIS and database design and creative problem-solving
• Assisting geologic and mapping lab staff with map and GIS deliverables associated with USGS STATEMAP and Earth MRI grants
• Creating, converting and maintaining GIS datasets in standardized geodatabase schema
• Employing, modifying and creating computer programs and scripts to assist with GIS projects

Capture geologic map data digitally for both publication and regional database purposes by (estimated effort: 25%):

• Using several software packages and hardware systems to aid in the map-making process and provide a high level of quality control to the data capture process
• Digitizing, editing and attributing database objects from geologic field maps according to internal and contract standards
• Editing and maintaining geodatabase tables
• Creating and compiling accurate metadata to comply with IGS, USGS and contract standards.

Generate accurate and well-constructed geologic map publications by (estimated effort: 20%):

• Using ArcGIS and Adobe Suite products to generate scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing map documents
• Working with ArcGIS style files to manage symbolization of map features
• Importing GIS-generated layers into Adobe Illustrator to build map layouts
• Packaging GIS datasets and map documents for publication.

Contribute to the overall IGS mission by (estimated effort: 10%):

• Communicating regularly with staff and administration regarding in-house GIS and geologic digital data management
• Providing input to IGS staff for project and agency planning purposes
• Writing documentation for various GIS and data management procedures
• Providing general training to staff in the use of GIS, databases and other applications as necessary.

Additional information

• Apply for the GIS Specialist position.
• In your application, please address all the minimum requirements in the letter of qualification. Preferential review of applicants to begin on July 17, 2026.