IBRI: Unique. And Uniquely Successful.

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) stands alone in the life sciences ecosystem — a first-in-class translational medicine institute built to transform how discoveries move from the lab bench to the patient bedside.

Unlike traditional research organizations or commercial biotech accelerators, IBRI was designed from inception to unite what others have long kept apart: academic research, early-stage biotech, and industry execution. We are the connective tissue between inquiry and impact — a collaborative engine accelerating cures and reshaping how innovation happens.

Backed by industry leaders, investors, and philanthropic partners, IBRI curates and supports emerging biotech ventures with the capital, talent, and infrastructure they need to move faster and think bolder. Our home in Indiana offers a powerful advantage — the ability to direct more resources to science, not overhead — accelerating progress while lowering barriers to discovery.

Our labs work at the frontiers of diabetes, metabolic disease, Alzheimer’s, and rare pediatric conditions — fields where unmet need demands both rigor and imagination. IBRI’s public–private model creates a fertile space where great science can mature without the premature commercial pressures that often derail true breakthroughs.

And those breakthroughs are happening here.

When IBRI innovations reach clinical readiness, intellectual property is spun out or sold back to industry, creating a continuous revenue stream that fuels the next wave of discovery. The model sustains itself — rewarding scientists, investors, and donors alike while delivering what matters most: therapies that change lives.

After a decade of measurable progress, IBRI’s model has proven what’s possible when collaboration, creativity, and capital converge with purpose. We are not simply advancing translational medicine — we are redefining it. IBRI is more than a research institute. It’s a movement — one uniquely successful in transforming the way science becomes solutions, and solutions become cures.

The Opportunity:

We’re seeking a dynamic Director of Research Grants Administration to drive our strategy for securing and managing external funding. In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee the full pre-award lifecycle—developing, submitting, and administering a diverse portfolio of government and foundation grants. Your expertise will help align funding opportunities with our scientific priorities and institutional goals, ensuring compliance and success across federal, state, and private sponsors.

If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for collaboration and impact, join us to shape the future of research through innovative funding solutions.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Grant Leadership

• Lead and manage the IBRI grant portfolio.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive IBRI grant strategy and manage the processes and portfolio to ensure optimal support for scientists, as well as to optimize outcomes for the IBRI.
• Coordinate between Institute management, scientists, and finance to ensure all elements of the budgets and workplans are completed and communicated appropriately.
• Collaborate with Finance, Project Management, and other internal stakeholders to inform key business planning activities.

Pre-Award Management

• Lead the full pre-award process, including identifying funding opportunities, guiding proposal development, and ensuring timely submission.
• Collaborate closely with scientific staff and principal investigators to align proposals with research objectives and sponsor requirements.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (Finance, Project Management, leadership) to develop accurate budgets and confirm resource availability.
• Ensure all submission packages are complete, accurate, and compliant with sponsor, federal, and institutional requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison with funding agencies during the application phase, addressing inquiries and clarifying requirements.

Post-Award Transition & Oversight

• Upon award notification, confirm terms and conditions, finalize compliance documentation, and ensure accurate setup of award accounts in cooperation with Finance.
• Provide initial guidance to researchers on allowable costs, reporting timelines, and sponsor obligations.
• Once the award is fully established and compliance confirmed, ongoing financial management (e.g., invoicing, drawdowns, expense monitoring, etc.) transitions to the Finance team, however this role remains available for interpretation of sponsor requirements and non-financial reporting.

Compliance & Risk Management

 Maintains rigorous adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations governing sponsored research.

• Ensure that all submissions are aligned with IBRI policies and procedures.
• Continuously review and improve policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Train staff and researchers on grant process and compliance standards.
• Implement best practices to mitigate risk and ensure audit readiness.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 7 years non-profit grant experience (e.g. college, university, research institute, foundation, etc.).
• Strong leadership and networking skills.
• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for grants administration.

Compensation:

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered commensurate with experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The IBRI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.