Assistant Director of Research Development Support
Apply locations Chicago, IL time type Full time posted on Posted 2 Days Ago job requisition id JR27659
Department
Provost Office of Research Development
About the Department
The Office of Research Development (ORD) within the Office of Research is a key strategic partner for faculty across the university in their pursuit of funding for visionary, large-scale interdisciplinary research. This central office supports development of research initiatives and proposals across many fields, manages internal competition for federal limited submission funding opportunities, and provides seed funding and strategic support for early-stage research projects at the University.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director will lead research proposal development and professional support for strategic interdisciplinary research activities relating to grant and contract proposals and funding. Reporting to the Executive Director of ORD, the Assistant Director will have scientific aptitude to work collaboratively with faculty in the development of complex research proposals and will serve as a strategic funding consultant across the institution to increase UChicago research funding.
Responsibilities
Provides guidance to faculty and other personnel during the scientific brainstorming, planning, and decision-making for the application that requires significant knowledge of active and emerging federal research programs, scientific trends, and science team management.
Uses scientific expertise to critically edit technical sections of proposals and draft proposal components such as introductions, summaries, and figures or schemes. Prepares and edits supporting technical documents of proposals for numerous federal agencies including NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD.
Independently provides comprehensive proposal development support through project management of setting timelines, assigning responsibilities, coordinating writing production, and ensuring efficient document sharing and quality control. Liaises with research administrators and URA for proposal internal review and submission.
Develops and maintains detailed knowledge of faculty research interests and strengths across Divisions with a concentration on identifying potential for interdisciplinary research.
Works with multi-investigator faculty teams to develop funding and research growth strategies by analyzing funding opportunities and/or funding agency priorities to identify and facilitate large proposals.
Develops content and resources for ORD website and intranet, facilitates dissemination of resources, and maintains knowledge of the competitive research funding landscape to promote effective proposal development.
Manages central-level scientific review for federal limited submission opportunities and provides back-up support for managing the administrative processes. Provides scientific guidance when coordinating with the Foundation and Corporate Relations office on internal applications for research funding from non-federal sources.
Leads coordination of the ORD team science activities in support of the Big Ideas Generator (BIG) seed funding program, including program reporting and metrics.
Ensures quality service and communication to faculty and research teams, develops best practices, maintains compliant standardized templates, and communicates policies/requirements for pre- and post-award issues from all federal funding agencies.
Handles straightforward post-award activities including account creations, regulatory and compliance monitoring, salary allocations, effort reporting, grant projections, cost allocations, cost center charges, equipment inventory, invoice preparation, grant closing process, and account closing.
Prepares summaries of grants and effort allocations for Principal Investigators, meets with them, and responds to their questions. Coordinates with other departments/units/divisions regarding multi-investigator grants. Serves as department contact for annual audits and agency site visits.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
Experience in academia in project management, research administration, or proposal development. Experience in a research environment with knowledge of relevant federal agencies, policies, and procedures.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
Proven ability with software and databases.
Demonstrated experience with scientific grant writing and proposal development.
High level of fluency in word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software (e.g., MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
Comfort with technical platforms and databases.
Preferred Competencies
Demonstrated ability to work across groups, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and intra and interinstitutional partnerships.
Demonstrated experience working in complex environments where collaboration and influence management are critical to success.
Proven ability to work effectively and diplomatically with fellow staff members and students, as well as faculty and agency contacts.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Independence, initiative, and strong organizational skills. Multitask, prioritize, and manage multiple simultaneous projects. Work on multiple tasks within strict deadlines.
Strategic and analytical thinking skills with an ability to solve problems and make effective decisions. Professionalism, discretion, tact, and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
Negotiate on behalf of the unit and build consensus among a large number of diverse stakeholders.
Application Documents
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Financial Management
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
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