Research Development Specialist, UTC Research Institute

University of Tennessee•Chattanooga, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Development Specialist provides expertise in research development and sponsored program administration to support the UTC Research Institute (UTCRI). The position identifies and interprets funding opportunities, advises on proposal strategy, and coordinates the development of competitive proposals aligned with institutional priorities. The position independently manages proposal development and serves as a subject matter resource on sponsor guidelines, federal regulations, and university policies. This role works closely with faculty, staff, and institutional partners to develop proposal budgets, assemble required documentation, and ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional requirements. The Specialist oversees the proposal development process, including identifying sponsor opportunities, coordinating technical team meetings, managing timelines to meet institutional and sponsor deadlines, drafting non-technical documentation, and submitting proposals. This position contributes to the growth of UTCRI's research portfolio by supporting strategic initiatives, analyzing funding trends, and developing tools, resources, and training to enhance proposal competitiveness across UTCRI and its affiliated programs.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor's degree
Two or more years of relevant professional experience in research administration, project or program management, grant development, higher education administration, or a related field
Working knowledge of funding agency guidelines and sponsored research requirements
Ability to interpret and apply sponsor guidelines, federal regulations, and institutional policies
Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and provide actionable guidance
Ability to independently manage multiple, deadline-driven projects
Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including editing and developing content
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment
Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or relevant advanced training
Experience in research development, grant writing, sponsored programs, or supporting externally funded projects in an academic, research, government, or nonprofit environment

Responsibilities

Identifies and assesses funding opportunities aligned with UTCRI's priority areas and emerging research initiatives.
Develops and implements strategies to enhance proposal competitiveness, including positioning, team formation, and alignment with sponsor priorities.
Maintains knowledge of faculty expertise, institutional capabilities, and research strengths to support targeted outreach and team-building.
Analyzes funding landscapes, sponsor priorities, and research trends to inform UTCRI's strategic planning and research growth initiatives.
Supports campus-wide research development initiatives and collaborative efforts.
Analyzes and interprets funding opportunity announcements (e.g., solicitations, requests for proposals, program guidelines) to determine application requirements, eligibility, and strategic positioning.
Independently coordinates proposal development activities, including setting timelines, tracking deliverables, and ensuring timely completion of proposal components.
Facilitates the development of complex proposals, including multi-investigator and multi-institution submissions, by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
Develops proposal budgets and justifications in collaboration with principal investigators, ensuring accuracy, allowability, and alignment with sponsor guidelines and university policies.
Ensures alignment among the technical narrative, project scope, and budget allocation.
Coordinates and reviews required proposal documentation (e.g., biosketches, current and pending support, letters of collaboration, facilities documents) for completeness and compliance.
Drafts and coordinates review of non-technical documents (e.g., mentoring plans, letters of support, facilities documents).
Provides rule-driven editing and compliance review of the proposal to ensure adherence to sponsor guidelines and institutional requirements.
Initiates and manages proposal routing and approvals in Cayuse (transitioning to Huron/DASH Research & Agreements), ensuring compliance with university policies and submission requirements.
Serves as liaison among principal investigators, UTCRI leadership, and administrative units to facilitate proposal submission and resolve pre-award issues.
Develops and delivers training on proposal development, budgeting, sponsor guidelines, and research administration processes for research faculty and postdoctoral researchers.
Serves as a subject matter resource on sponsor requirements, federal regulations, and institutional policies.
Maintains regular communication with UTCRI leadership to report on activities, outcomes, and strategic opportunities.
Coordinates and supports research development events, workshops, and outreach efforts to enhance collaboration and proposal activity.
Works with internal administrative units (e.g., ORSP, ORI) to facilitate proposal processes, resolve issues, and ensure compliance.