Research Development Strategist III

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Development Strategist III plays a crucial role in advancing the research and scholarship portfolio of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE). This position involves assisting in the development of strategic plans, supporting faculty in securing large-scale interdisciplinary proposals, and identifying funding opportunities. The strategist will act as a key resource for faculty, guiding them through the proposal development process from concept to submission, and collaborating with college leadership to assess research capacity and identify growth areas. Additionally, the role includes developing and delivering training initiatives, analyzing research metrics, and coordinating site visits for sponsors and review panels.

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.