Research Development Officer

at  University of Michigan

JOB SUMMARY

The College of Innovation & Technology at the University of Michigan-Flint is experiencing significant growth in research funding for top proposal awarding agencies. The Research Development Officer supports the research enterprise in the College of Innovation & Technology (CIT) at the University of Michigan-Flint, in facilitation of grant proposal development. The Research Development Officer reports to the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and supports in priority initiatives related to the CIT strategic planning in research to catalyze interdisciplinary research teams for relevant solicitations and increasing the probability of selection success in grant awards via multiple research development activities. The Research Development Officer serves as a necessary liaison for CIT with the UM-Flint Office of Research for grants and the University of Michigan Office of Research Development to enhance collaboration opportunities with other UM campuses, including via the Bold Challenges initiative, and facilitate access to available resources.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS*

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Five years of experience leading research funding efforts through proposal development
• Experience in pre-award proposal development spanning diverse sponsors or federal agencies
• Experience reviewing and editing grant proposals, supplementary documents and budgets
• Experience writing short copy (web-based text), long copy (research proposals and reports), and research presentation material (power point) for broad audiences

• Facilitate cross-division links, interdisciplinary research, and collaboration;
• Work with the CIT Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and senior faculty to develop formal/informal mentoring strategies in CIT to enhance research success for faculty facing a variety of challenges;
• Work with CIT faculty and staff teams to develop meticulously arranged and professionally finished grant proposals for highly sought after grants and are responsive to funder requests for large-scale and interdisciplinary opportunities; tasks include creating timelines and checklists, tracking proposal writing progress, drafting supporting documents, and proposal editing with a goal of increasing the quality of submitted proposals;
• Promote a lively and collegial internal research culture by providing multiple opportunities (forums, events, seminars and workshops) for researchers to meet informally and develop shared interests and initiatives including grants-writing seminars, ideation sessions, in addition to providing a range of project management services to increase ambition and readiness for large-scale funding opportunities;
• Be a liaison with the University of Michigan Office of Research Development to enhance collaboration opportunities across campuses and facilitate access to available resources including the engagement of CIT researchers in university-wide initiatives (e.g. Bold Challenges, Boost, etc) and close synchronization in planning workshops;
• Be a liaison and point person for information related to funded research grants, award recipient lists and other research-related information. In collaboration with the communications team, facilitate communication of this information for research promotion, awards celebration;
• Liaise with UM-Flint Office of Research pre-award and post-award research administrators to ensure appropriate grant and project management processes such that quality grant applications are delivered promptly and university requirements are met;
• Work with the CIT Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and CIT leadership to develop long-term strategic plans for research within the college;
• Participate in professional development opportunities (e.g. University of Michigan Office of Research Development, conferences, grant-writing workshops);