Research Development Strategist I

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Development Strategist I is responsible for identifying funding opportunities, providing proposal development and grant writing support, developing and delivering training sessions, fostering collaboration and team science, and conducting research trend analysis to guide strategic planning and decision-making within UF Research and the university. The goal is to maximize competitive positioning for funding success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently and with others.
Ability to foster positive working connections and build effective relationships.
Experience in the Microsoft Office suite.
Being a strong problem solver, seeking win-win answers.

Nice To Haves

Ability to search out funding opportunities and apply critical thinking skills to make effective decisions.
Good project management and organizational skills.
Basic understanding of research funding mechanism or grant development process.
Analytical mindset to identify and leverage strategic opportunities.
Proficient with relevant research tools and software.
Internships or course work related to research development or grants is a plus.

Responsibilities

Stay abreast of state, national, and international funding opportunities and priorities across various disciplines.
Identify grants, fellowships, and collaborative opportunities that align with UF's research priorities.
Manage internal seed grant and limited funding competitions.
Work closely with faculty and research teams to develop compelling and competitive research proposals.
Provide guidance on drafting proposals that align with funding agency priorities and showcase UF's strengths.
Offer expertise in grant strategy and writing, ensuring proposals meet the highest standards of quality and have a clear competitive advantage.
Provide constructive feedback and assist in refining project timelines, responsiveness, narratives, graphics, budgets, and other proposal components.
Develop and deliver training sessions and workshops to enhance the research development skills of faculty and research staff.
Invite speakers from various federal and other funding agencies to provide educational sessions.
Keep the UF community informed about best practices and strategies for successful grant acquisition.
Foster collaboration across departments, colleges, and external partners.
Build and maintain relationships with funding agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders to enhance research opportunities.
Build teams by organizing networking events.
Conduct analysis of research trends, funding landscapes, and emerging opportunities.
Use this information to guide strategic planning and decision-making within UF Research and the university, to maximize competitive positioning for funding success.