Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The McKelvey School of Engineering is looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial research development professional to lead research proposal development in engineering, with a particular focus on new interdisciplinary research initiatives informed by the WashU and the School of Engineering’s strategic plan. The primary supervisor of the Senior Research Development Associate (SSRDA) is the Vice Dean of Research in Engineering. In addition, the SSRDA will work collaboratively with a range of faculty leaders, individual faculty, the Research Development Office (RDO), WashU’s government relations, and the school of engineering’s industrial liaison, to support the development of multiple complex grant proposals and programs by providing the highest level of service possible. As this is a new position, the SSRDA will work closely with the Vice Dean of Research to identify the key priorities in building out research development services in Engineering.

The SSRDA will initially spend a significant portion of time in direct support of the McKelvey’s research centers and in facilitating new capabilities and capacity building. The SRDA will work closely with the McKelvey center directors and team members, as well as with WashU’s RDO and the faculty across the institution to support the mission of advancing impactful engineering-related research targeting the greatest challenges facing St. Louis, the nation, and the world.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive research development services to large teams of principal investigators (PIs) pursuing external research funding; work closely with the Vice Dean of Research on leading the development of large-scale interdisciplinary grant proposals and other strategic institutional programs: obtain competitive intelligence on funding programs, facilitate PI team building and ideation, write and edit proposal sections, and coordinate external review of proposals. Identify additional campus expertise and resources to support the research development process, including cross-campus and external collaborators in areas of scientific expertise, workforce development, and outreach and education, among others.  Assist PIs in the development of the management plan for the project. Provide leadership and develop project strategy and coordination of site visit and follow-up inquiries. Provide comprehensive guidance to faculty and other personnel for the application and a high-impact level of mentorship/expertise to faculty as well as integrated knowledge in project management, science, scientific communication/editing, sponsors’ requirements, and WashU requirements and resources.   Work with McKelvey leadership to design and administer an internal seed grant/planning grant funding program.
• Work with government agencies and private sponsors to understand funding strategies and initiatives and to identify needs and synergies with university researchers in engineering. Develop and maintain relationships with funding agency personnel on behalf of WashU. Work closely with external consultants providing project development support to research faculty identified areas. Analyze data, create tables and reports, review trends, and make data-driven recommendations that contribute to proposal writing, strategic planning, outreach to federal sponsors and partners, and competitive intelligence for upcoming funding opportunities.
• The SRDA will organize and host workshops, seminars, and events to further cultivate and develop focused research teams, lead communication efforts both within and outside the university, and manage staff, postdocs, and graduate students placed under their supervision. Develop training and outreach activities, including workshops for faculty and students wishing to build skills and knowledge in computational and data sciences, and training for improved grantsmanship to targeted programs. Produce content for and lead periodic team development lectures and workshops.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Educatio