Research Development Specialist (Proposal Development Specialist)

Department

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (UA-PDS-IUBLA)

Department Information

Proposal Development Services (PDS) assists with preparing grant proposals before submission to external funders. Specialists offer advice, consultation, and reviewer-focused grantsmanship feedback, as well as comprehensive project management support for complex proposals and those of strategic priority to the university.

Specialists also conduct training and targeted workshops for prospective grant applicants and assist in writing unit content as needed.

Job Summary

The Proposal Development Services (PDS) team is seeking a Research Development Specialist. Provided services will be tailored to the diverse and varying needs of faculty and researchers based on their career stage, experience submitting successful proposals for external funding, availability of school and departmental resources, and the grantsmanship skills, abilities and capacity of the faculty and researcher.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

Leads teams and training sessions if hired at the senior level.

General Responsibilities

• Consults, directs, and assists investigators on the development of external funding proposals including preparation, submission, acceptance, and administration.
• Investigates and answers questions from external agencies, researchers, fiscal officers, research administrators and others;

counsels researchers and staff on the preparation of budgets, completion of certifications, and institutional information to ensure compliance with university policies, federal regulations, and agency guidelines.

Ascertains the status of proposals, awards, research risk approvals, internal approvals such as route sheets, and related documents;

initiates action to resolve problems when necessary.

• Assists faculty and staff in identifying documents or forms needed in connection with pending or funded projects.
• Follows up on all correspondence to ensure that appropriate action is taken or information provided.
• Independently leads large, collaborative multi-institutional proposals, and provides leadership and oversight for other department team members on these projects.
• Provides comprehensive project management services including establishing timelines and processes for proposal production, helping to convene potential collaborators, organize faculty project teams, and lead proposal development meetings of the project team;

edits proposals for concision, clarity, and consistency of style.

• Provides strategic analysis and guidance for investigators and research teams.
• Connects investigators with relevant internal and external professionals for development of certain proposal sections;

suggests, when appropriate, faculty or researchers who may collaborate to strengthen proposals, particularly on large projects involving interdisciplinary and intercampus cooperation.

• Advises on positioning of a project idea in relation to agency mission, active or anticipated funding opportunities, and program criteria.
• Reviews and provides non-technical reviewer-focused feedback on proposal text for content and structure; discusses reviews for declined proposals and advises on potential revisions.
• Provides analysis, writing, or other support to senior leaders for proposal-relevant strategic initiatives.
• Analyzes funder priorities, communicates with agency personnel to better understand current and upcoming funding opportunities that are appropriate for IU faculty and / or researchers, and disseminates opportunities that align with institutional strategic priorities.
• Offers consulting support to research interest groups involved in strategic initiatives.
• Develops and presents content for workshops, web-based materials, tailored presentations for investigators, schools and departments.
• Participates and leads other educational initiatives to assist faculty in finding funding opportunities and developing competitive grant proposals.
• Models effective communication, consensus building, team building, and team management to work effectively and collaboratively with agency contacts, project leaders / team members, senior administration, project management staff, internal units, and / or external contacts.
• Researches and works collaboratively with senior leaders and other individuals / units involved in research development in recommending development standards, best practices, and related policies / procedures.
• May serve as project leader; often provides guidance to junior peers.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience.

Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

Bachelor's degree in related field

Preferred

Master's degree or Ph.D. in STEM or health sciences

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

5 years in proposal and / or research writing or related experience

Preferred

• Experience in a higher education research setting
• Experience with private, state and / or federal granting agencies and an understanding of the policies and procedures of external granting agencies

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment.

The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

Training is available if the candidate does not have required experience in all areas.

Work Location

This position is eligible for remote work or to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

Advertised Salary

$72,500 - $90,000 (a salary beyond this range is possible based on experience and background)

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including :

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level : Advanced

FLSA : Exempt

Job Function : Research

Job Family : Research Development

Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11 : 59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days.

To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications.

Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX.

Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator.

See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

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You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at

iups@iu.edu

or by visiting IUPD.

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