Research Development Strategist III

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

This position plays a crucial role in supporting strategic research initiatives within the HWCOE (Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering). The Research Development Strategist III will assist in developing strategic plans, supporting the creation of large-scale research proposals, and guiding faculty through the entire proposal development process. This includes identifying funding opportunities, advising on competitive strategies, and serving as a resource for faculty scholarship. The role involves collaborating with leadership to assess research capacity, identify growth areas, and enhance the college's research portfolio. Additionally, the position supports institutes and centers, identifies potential applicants for high-profile opportunities, and engages with stakeholders. The role also encompasses identifying relevant funding opportunities, staying updated on national and international funding landscapes, analyzing trends, and providing data to leadership. Proposal development and grant writing support are key, including coordinating project activities, managing external consultants, and offering guidance on non-technical proposal components. The position is also responsible for developing and conducting training initiatives and workshops on research development topics, aligning them with evolving research needs and college goals. Furthermore, the role involves developing key performance indicators, conducting data analysis, managing databases, and generating reports on research activities and outcomes. Finally, the position supports and coordinates site visits for sponsors and review panels, including preparation and follow-up.

Requirements

Master's degree and three years of experience in grant and contract administration, grant writing, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

PhD degree in engineering or a related field
Experience in grant and contract administration or grant writing
Ability to search out funding opportunities and apply critical thinking skills to make effective decisions
Good project management and organizational skills
Understanding of research funding mechanism or grant development process
Analytical mindset to identify and leverage strategic opportunities
Proficient with relevant research tools and software
Experience in research development, grant writing or related areas
Experience working with interdisciplinary research teams
Understanding of funding agencies and mechanisms in academia

Responsibilities

Assist in developing a strategic plan to align collaborative initiatives with HWCOE’s research goals
Support the development of large-scale interdisciplinary center and team proposals
Provide guidance and support for faculty and research teams throughout the proposal development process, including concept development and sponsor alignment
Help faculty identify and pursue external and internal funding opportunities by monitoring sponsor announcements, facilitating funding searches, and advising on competitive proposal strategies
Serve as a strategic resource for faculty scholarship by supporting the development of research, scholarly, and creative activities that align with college priorities
Collaborate with HWCOE leadership to assess research capacity, identify growth opportunities, and support initiatives that enhance the college’s research and scholarship portfolio
Support HWCOE institutes and centers in planning and developing research-program activities
Identify potential applicants for high-profile, limited-applications opportunities, and target those opportunities to them
Engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and act as a point of contact for program-related inquiries and information
Identify funding opportunities that align with the HWCOE’s research priorities and long-term research goals
Stay abreast of national and international funding opportunities and priorities across the disciplines relevant to HWCOE
Review and use reports to identify trends in funding opportunities and guide decision-making
Provide funding-opportunity data and analyses to HWCOE leadership, department chairs, and faculty
Implement tools to track and assess the success of funding pursuits
Provide proposal development support on multidisciplinary proposals
Coordinate project activities and timelines, and offer guidance on the content, structure, and strategy of grant proposals
Arrange and manage external consultants and vendor services as needed, including scopes of work and review of vendor invoices
Offer guidance on the non-technical components of proposals, such as data management, broader impacts, facilities, and budget justification, to reduce the administrative burden on researchers
Coordinate with UF Research Security and Export Controls on proposals expected to involve export-controlled or ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) work
Develop and maintain an annual plan for ongoing training initiatives
Design and structure training modules to address specific research-development needs
Organize and conduct specialized workshops on advanced topics related to research development, and tailor them to the evolving needs of researchers
Align training programs with the evolving research landscape and HWCOE goals
Collaborate with other colleges and institutions on joint outreach initiatives
Organize seminars and speaker series featuring experts in relevant fields
Incorporate current practices and trends into training programs
Assess and improve the effectiveness of training and outreach initiatives
Develop key performance indicators for research development activity
Conduct data analysis, manage databases, and generate reports on research activities, funding, and outcomes to support decision-making
Track and analyze research and scholarship metrics to inform planning, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts within the college
Ensure accuracy and timely delivery of reports
Advise on emerging research and funding trends
Support and coordinate activities for sponsor and review-panel site visits, including developing timelines and checklists, and facilitating preparation sessions as needed
Conduct training sessions for researchers and staff on best practices for these visits
Engage and coordinate with principal investigators, department chairs, and other stakeholders to ensure their preparedness for the visit
Coordinate with the sponsor and its program officers to address any pre-visit queries and requests, and respond to any post-visit reviewer questions
Address any unexpected issues that may arise during the visit