Research Development Professional

About the Job

The UMD Research Development (RD) Professional will help University of Minnesota Duluth researchers compete successfully for external funding by providing research development services, particularly strategy and proposal development support for complex multidisciplinary grant proposals. This will be the first dedicated research development role at UMD. As such, this position will entail both significant initiative-taking for outreach and education to faculty and research staff, as well as creativity and adaptability in developing new strategies and systems for growing research development support at UMD. Further, although the Research Development Professional is not a formal leadership position, the employee in this position will need the ability to lead by influence, especially proposal development efforts that include project teams of senior and junior faculty, research staff, and other partners.

This position will be an employee and team member of the Research Development Office (RDO) reporting directly to the Research Development Strategy Lead with dotted line reporting to the UMD Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Education and Research. The RD Professional will work in-person at least 4 days a week on the UMD campus, leveraging a new, centralized office presence for RIO at UMD and thus have an important role representing RIO/RDO and connecting UMD researchers to other RIO/RDO support services as necessary. Occasional travel to the UMN Twin Cities campus will be required (approx. 2–4 times/year).

In addition to candidates in higher education or other sectors with experience developing proposals to federal agencies or other funders for large-scale projects, others who could thrive in this role are those in nonprofits, government agencies, or other entities who are successfully working across boundaries and balancing multiple priorities to manage complex team-based projects.

• More UMD proposal submissions result in awards.

• More proposals are submitted by UMD researchers, particularly ambitious proposals for large-scale initiatives and high-value awards.

• UMD researchers are more aware of research development and the support and resources available from RDO and RIO.

• In consultation with faculty, research staff, and other internal and/or external partners as necessary, plan, design, and implement strategy and manage processes to develop winning proposals for forthcoming and active solicitations. (30%)

• Review and edit proposal narratives and supporting materials for effective impact on funders and proposal reviewers; track progress and completion of proposal package elements. (30%)

• Conduct outreach and education to faculty and staff on UMN research development resources (including RDO) and how to effectively leverage them. (10%)

• Identify and evaluate potential research funding and partnership opportunities for which UMD can be competitive and bring these to the attention of relevant stakeholders. This includes performing horizon scanning and qualitative and quantitative analysis that generates strategic intelligence on opportunities, funder needs and priorities, and on competitors and their capabilities. (10%)

• Provide consultation and training as necessary to researchers, faculty, and other staff on proposal development strategies and tactics and on positioning research programs for potential funding opportunities. (10%)

• Build relationships with researchers and faculty across the University and with potential partners at other universities, companies, national labs, and nonprofits to facilitate the rapid identification and creation of teams that can mount a highly competitive response to funder solicitations. Connect researchers, faculty, and other staff across all UMN campuses as necessary to advance UMD work. (5%)

• Support and engage in RDO administrative, strategic planning, and business development activities as required. (5%)

The Research Development Office (RDO) is a unit within the University of Minnesota (UMN) Research and Innovation Office (RIO) helping the UMN research community identify funding opportunities, build strategic partnerships, develop competitive proposals, and advance large-scale research initiatives. RDO works across campuses, colleges, and disciplines to strengthen the University's research enterprise and increase its state, national, and worldwide impact.

Overlooking Lake Superior, the University of Minnesota Duluth is the 2nd-largest campus of the University of Minnesota and combines liberal arts education and research prowess to create a unique medium-sized university. UMD is home to the world-renowned Large Lakes Observatory and has close affiliations with the Natural Resources Research Institute and Minnesota Sea Grant.

• Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated project leadership skills including being proactive, collaborative, and able to negotiate among multiple interests.

• Excellent project management skills with a proven ability to effectively manage tasks, time, and multiple deadlines.

• Entrepreneurial and takes initiative.

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.

• Highly organized with significant attention to detail.

• Dedication to continuous learning and advancing skills, including learning new software tools and best practices and acquiring new domain knowledge.

• Ability to achieve advanced- to expert-level proficiency in using Google Workspace tools.

Preferred

• Master's degree

• Experience in higher education, nonprofits, or the public sector