Research Specialist Jobs in Indiana
Research Specialist jobs in Indiana are concentrated in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and West Lafayette, where universities, life sciences firms, and healthcare systems generate steady demand for research talent in clinical, social science, and policy specialties. Employers such as Eli Lilly, Indiana University Health, and Purdue University maintain large and active research operations that hire at every level from entry-level lab or survey associate to senior principal investigator. Methodological expertise, data analysis, and regulatory familiarity are the qualifications Indiana employers ask for most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Purdue University, your work can help advance research, scholarship, and engagement that create meaningful impact. As a Senior Research Administration Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting sponsored research initiatives and programs by coordinating projects, managing operations, and fostering collaboration among researchers, staff, students, and external partners.
In this role, you'll help turn ideas into action by supporting research activities, sponsored programming, and strategic projects while ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively and efficiently. This position is ideal for a collaborative professional who enjoys balancing project management, research coordination, communication, and operational leadership.
Responsibilities Include:
- Coordinate and support sponsored research activities in partnership with principal investigators (PIs) and project teams.
- Plan and manage project timelines, deliverables, and research-related activities, including work associated with textbook development and publication.
- Coordinate sponsored programming, conferences, workshops, meetings, and special events.
- Supervise and mentor research assistants, ensuring quality, accountability, and successful project execution.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to advance project goals and sponsored initiatives.
- Prepare technical and professional writing, including grant proposals, sponsor reports, project updates, and supporting documentation.
- Assist with proposal development and sponsor communications throughout the project lifecycle.
- Manage project budgets in collaboration with PIs and staff, including monitoring expenditures and supporting financial reporting.
- Track project progress, identify challenges, and help implement solutions to meet project objectives.
- Support process improvement efforts and contribute to the successful delivery of research and sponsored programming.
This is a limited-term duration position, with an estimated 3 year appointment. Continuation of employment will be dependent upon funding.
What We're Looking For:
Required:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Four years of experience in program administration, higher education, project management, or related experience.
Skills Needed:
- Project management with ability to multi-task.
- Account management with strong attention to detail.
- Knowledge and understanding of grant writing and technical writing.
What is Helpful:
- An advanced degree IE: Master’s or Ph.D.
Additional Information:
- To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary CLICK HERE
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
Career Stream
Professional 3
Pay Band S075
Job Code #20002105
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
Job Summary
At Purdue University, your work can help advance research, scholarship, and engagement that create meaningful impact. As a Senior Research Administration Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting sponsored research initiatives and programs by coordinating projects, managing operations, and fostering collaboration among researchers, staff, students, and external partners.
In this role, you'll help turn ideas into action by supporting research activities, sponsored programming, and strategic projects while ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively and efficiently. This position is ideal for a collaborative professional who enjoys balancing project management, research coordination, communication, and operational leadership.
Responsibilities Include:
- Coordinate and support sponsored research activities in partnership with principal investigators (PIs) and project teams.
- Plan and manage project timelines, deliverables, and research-related activities, including work associated with textbook development and publication.
- Coordinate sponsored programming, conferences, workshops, meetings, and special events.
- Supervise and mentor research assistants, ensuring quality, accountability, and successful project execution.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to advance project goals and sponsored initiatives.
- Prepare technical and professional writing, including grant proposals, sponsor reports, project updates, and supporting documentation.
- Assist with proposal development and sponsor communications throughout the project lifecycle.
- Manage project budgets in collaboration with PIs and staff, including monitoring expenditures and supporting financial reporting.
- Track project progress, identify challenges, and help implement solutions to meet project objectives.
- Support process improvement efforts and contribute to the successful delivery of research and sponsored programming.
This is a limited-term duration position, with an estimated 3 year appointment. Continuation of employment will be dependent upon funding.
What We're Looking For:
Required:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Four years of experience in program administration, higher education, project management, or related experience.
Skills Needed:
- Project management with ability to multi-task.
- Account management with strong attention to detail.
- Knowledge and understanding of grant writing and technical writing.
What is Helpful:
- An advanced degree IE: Master’s or Ph.D.
Additional Information:
- To learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary CLICK HERE
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
Career Stream
Professional 3
Pay Band S075
Job Code #20002105
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.
See All 5 Research Specialist Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Jobs by City in Indiana
Where Indiana roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Specialist Job Market in Indiana
A snapshot from current Indiana openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Indiana Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Indiana.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as life sciences, social science, or public health
- Demonstrated experience designing and executing quantitative or qualitative research studies
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or equivalent analysis tools
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, manuscripts, and grant documentation
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, research ethics, and compliance requirements
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet data-collection deadlines
Research Specialist Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research specialist in Indiana?
Most Indiana employers require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field directly related to the research area, such as biology, psychology, public health, or social science, though many positions at universities and healthcare systems prefer or require a master's degree. Indiana does not issue a state license specific to research specialists, so credentials like the Certified Clinical Research Professional from the Society of Clinical Research Associates or IRB certification carry the most weight when competing for clinical and regulated-research roles.
Which companies hire research specialists in Indiana?
Companies currently hiring research specialists in Indiana include Purdue University, Indiana University, and Advanced Agrilytics, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Indiana's concentration of pharmaceutical manufacturers, academic medical centers, and Big Ten university research programs means demand is distributed across both private industry and higher education institutions.
Which Indiana cities have the most research specialist jobs?
West Lafayette, Huntington, and Notre Dame account for the largest share of research specialist openings in Indiana. Indianapolis leads because of its dense cluster of hospital systems, life sciences companies, and state government agencies, while Bloomington and West Lafayette draw substantial hiring from Indiana University and Purdue University, whose research programs and affiliated institutes employ research specialists across nearly every discipline.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Indiana?
Yes, and more than many comparable roles, because a meaningful portion of research specialist work involves literature review, data coding, statistical analysis, and report writing that can be done off-site. About 100% of research specialist openings tied to Indiana are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting flexibility among survey research, policy analysis, and health informatics employers in particular. Roles requiring lab work, participant interviews, or on-site data collection remain predominantly in-person.
How can I get hired as a research specialist in Indiana with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid research assistant or study coordinator position at one of Indiana's large research universities or academic medical centers, where new graduates regularly start without independent project experience. Indiana University, Purdue University, and Indiana University Health all post entry-level research coordinator and assistant roles that provide hands-on training in IRB compliance, data collection, and study management. Candidates who complete an undergraduate honors thesis, hold CITI Program certification in human subjects research, or have worked as a data analyst, clinical assistant, or survey interviewer gain a measurable edge in the application process.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Indiana?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Indiana on Migrate Mate, which lists current Indiana openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 5 Research Specialist Jobs in Indiana
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