Research Development Strategist

The Research Development Strategist is an integral member of the Center for Research and Creative Activity. This experienced, professional level position will contribute to the development and implementation of the Division of Research and Economic Development’s strategy, priorities, and goals to grow the University’s research enterprise. The strategist will play a key role in expanding the university’s biosciences research portfolio, with an emphasis on building health sciences, biomedical, and biotechnology research development capacity across the university. Key responsibilities include designing, coordinating, and implementing biosciences focused research development services and resources across a broad range of agencies (e.g., NIH, ARPA-H, NSF, DOE, DOD, NASA).

Recognized subject matter expert who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field with limited oversight from managers. Independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; requires deep job knowledge of area typically obtained through higher education combined with experience. Manages large projects or processes and problems faced are difficult and often complex; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions. May manage programs that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; functions with a high degree of autonomy. Influences others regarding policies, practices and procedures.

60% of the time the Research Development Strategist must:

• Partner with PIs and research teams in the development, sustainability, and growth of the institution’s biosciences research portfolio, including centers and cores.
• Identify and analyze extramural funding opportunities; develop, build, and facilitate collaborations with interdisciplinary and cross-institutional teams; understand sponsor priorities and requirements; and provide both strategic and tactical support through the entire proposal development lifecycle.
• Lead efforts to establish and support projects, partnerships, and initiatives that foster health sciences-related research development capacity building.
• Develop and maintain research and proposal development resources, templates, and processes.
• Content development and project management of education and training activities, such as annual grant writing workshops, job aids, workshops, panels, and networking events, and research interest groups.
• Assist, coordinate, and contribute with Center of Research and Creative Activity personnel on research development, education and training processes and project management activities.
• Ensure efficient, responsive, and targeted use of research development services and resources.
• Foster future health sciences-related growth and sustainability by providing project management skills, and grantsmanship expertise for proposal development by multidisciplinary teams of researchers, research staff, and educators.

35% of the time the Research Development Strategist must:

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve proposal development resources and proposal management systems (e.g., timelines, checklists, requirement matrices, templates).
• Serve as a strategist for research development initiatives that support the Division’s overall research goals.
• Collaborate with PIs and researchers with proposal development, including advising, grantsmanship, and facilitating engagement with administrative leadership.
• Provide PIs and teams with overall grant writing strategies, processes, editorial positioning and style, and figure design to align with the stated goals of each funding agency.
• Understand funding agency proposal review criteria and peer review processes; acquire and maintain a detailed understanding of the expectations, timelines, formats, and processes required by each agency.
• Advise faculty on how to plan, prepare, and write highly competitive, technical and complex research grant proposals, meet often challenging criteria, and acquire best practice knowledge to improve their capability.
• Facilitate and run proposal planning meetings.
• Support special projects initiated by Center and Division leadership.

5% of the time the Research Development Strategist must:
Provide Center for Research and Creative Activity Support:

• Contribute to Center for Research and Creative Activity strategic planning, website content, metric tracking and collection, and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Comprehensive knowledge of policies, requirements, funding mechanisms, and grant p