Research Programs Specialist

Job Summary/Company: Sparks Group has partnered with a medical association seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to provide vital support to their Office of Research. This role serves as a key contributor to initiatives involving research grants, investigator support, and professional education. You will assist a multi-disciplinary team in managing grant cycles and coordinating innovation programs. This is an ideal role for an individual looking to grow their career in research administration or healthcare non-profit management. Major Responsibilities

Grant Administration & Compliance

• Conduct initial compliance checks on grant applications and populate submission data trackers.

• Assist in the grant review process by updating reviewer materials and presentations.

• Manage the full grant lifecycle, including preparing award/regret letters and update statuses.

• Track grant outcomes and evaluate program success by organizing awardee reports and following up on delinquent deliverables.

Financial & Committee Support

• Process payment and travel reimbursement requests, ensuring all required documentation is secured for approval.

• Provide administrative support to Research Committees and working groups, including drafting and finalizing formal meeting minutes.

• Maintain comprehensive tracking sheets for funded awards and new award checklists.

Event & Education Coordination

• Assist in the logistics for professional development workshops, scientific symposia, and annual innovation showcases.

• Manage Annual Meeting preparation, including inventory management, shipping logistics, and on-site material preparation (binders, seating, etc.).

• Support the development of articles and outlines for organizational news publications.

Operational Support

• Finalize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) through meticulous formatting and editing.

• Manage the organization and maintenance of the team workroom and physical research resources.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in a health science or related field.

• Experience: Prior experience in research or grants program administration is highly preferred.

• Schedule: Ability to attend 3–6 evening conference calls per month and work 3–5 weekends per year for special events.

• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/Teams). Experience with Proposal Central or online survey tools (e.g., Survey Monkey) is a plus.

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This job is Hybrid Remote.

Pay Range: Hourly $28.00 to $29.50

We offer several comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, paid and unpaid time off, and retirement and savings plans to qualifying employees.

Download the Sparks Group mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play.

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Sparks Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship, family status, genetic information, disability, or protect veteran status.