Hybrid Research Development Specialist STEM (R25-58)

The Research Foundation for SUNY at the University at Albany is a nonprofit organization supporting research and innovation. The Research Development Specialist will assist faculty in developing high-quality proposals for sponsored projects, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Organize meetings for teams planning to respond to large-scale and center-scale Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Review RFP guidelines and develop a project timeline with specific tasks
• Identify potential institutional investments, community partnerships, and other assets that can strengthen the proposal
• Develop and edit proposal components, including research plans, project descriptions, facilities and resources, data management plans, postdoc mentoring plans, letters of support or collaboration, biosketches, and current and pending support
• Manage the progress of proposals to ensure timely and high-quality submissions, including collecting letters, documents, and materials from partner organizations and investigators, and working closely with the sponsored program office to ensure all documents are delivered to Research Administrators five business days before the sponsor deadline
• Manage the external review process, including working with State/RF Purchasing to secure external consultants or reviewers and serving as the point of contact for them
• Offer one-on-one consultations for faculty and researchers with potential research projects or proposals
• Review written materials and provide feedback and professional editing
• Share funding opportunities proactively with targeted research groups
• Organize seminars and workshops on emerging funding trends and opportunities
• Attend professional conferences and events hosted by major federal sponsors such as NSF, NIH, DOD, DARPA, APAR-H, and DOE
• Connect faculty and researchers with officials from potential sponsors, including inviting program officers or managers for campus visits
• Assist with high-priority research initiatives as needed
• Manage all ongoing tasks using a digital platform such as Microsoft Planner or equivalent
• Provide periodic and ad hoc reports on grant development activities
• Work with the Director of Strategic Initiatives on research development-related events management
• Assist in executing internal and external communications strategies across digital and print marketing channels for UAlbany research initiatives

Skills

• Master's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related field, from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization
• One year of experience in grant development, writing individual and team proposals, and facilitating the submission of grant proposals
• Three years of experience in writing and editing research manuscripts
• Experience in managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines, with strong time-management skills
• Capability to work both independently and as a team member in-person and remotely, ability to multi-task and respond professionally in challenging situations is essential
• Capability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment as well as work collaboratively and adapt to changing processes and procedures
• Strong customer service orientation to understand and assist a wide range of internal faculty
• Strong computer (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and analytical skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related field, from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized accrediting organization
• Experience as a grant development professional or equivalent role in an R1 institute
• Experience in large-scale and center-scale grant development
• Experience in multi-institutional grant development

Benefits

• Healthcare
• Dental
• Vision
• Pension plans
• Competitive pay
• Generous paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance

Company Overview