Research Development Administrator

Summary:

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation invites interested candidates to apply for an exciting opportunity as the Research Development Administrator. This position will work with the Director of Research Development and Strategic Projects to facilitate the University-wide development and submission of successful extramural research funding proposals. This position is integral to implementation activities in support of the One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan on both the VCU Health and Monroe Park campuses. As a liaison and project manager, the Research Development Administrator will help facilitate and support collaborations, directly assist with multidisciplinary, large-scale proposals, and oversee the implementation of targeted activities to increase and maintain research awards from the National Science Foundation to support VCU’s research infrastructure and the One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan initiative, goals and objectives.

Typical Duties:

Core proposal development duties will include funding opportunity identification and targeted dissemination; research team building; interpretation of grant solicitation requirements; project management, including the development of proposal writing plans and timelines; and editorial assistance, including copy editing, drafting non-technical content, and ensuring proposals adhere to funder guidelines. This position will help provide grant writing and proposal development coaching and mentoring, as well as specialized training and outreach to early career investigators to help expedite individual and team research plans.

Assist with all research development initiatives under the One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan. These include implementation of intramural funding opportunities, targeted proposal development assistance per the goals and initiatives, and other priorities set by the Provost and Vice President for Research and Innovation. Provide independent leadership to identified One VCU Research Strategic Priorities Plan initiatives.

Work with the Director to collect and analyze data on research development activities and programs, particularly the VCU Grant Academy, One VCU Research intramural funds, and other targeted division initiatives.

Manage daily operations of the VCU limited submission process

Provide administrative management of research development training and workshop development, including scheduling, securing speakers, presenting, and identifying content needs. Assist with updating and maintaining institutional research development resource materials and web content.

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, or other relevant writing-focused or scientific field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience
At least 3 years of experience with grant writing/proposal development/research development in an academic institution or large nonprofit setting
Experience with federal, state and non-profit funders, particularly the National Institutes of Health, and National Science Foundation
Demonstrated project management experience under strict timelines
Ability to analyze complex written material
Excellent written and oral communication skills
The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in biological, physical, or social sciences, education, business, or humanities.
4 or more years of experience in grant writing/proposal development/research development working in a research-intensive university environment including a medical school.
Experience with large-scale, multi-institutional grant proposals.
Prior event planning experience.