Description:
The Assistant Director of Research Development and Management contributes to the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) research program strategy as well as overseeing all phases of the research grant lifecycle. The ideal candidate will work with the iSEE leadership team to grow sustainability research initiatives by assisting with grant proposal development and fostering collaborations to create multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator teams to bring new sustainability funding to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Research Development & Proposal Support:
- Coordinate with the iSEE Associate Director for Research to shape the institute's research portfolio strategy.
- Identify strategic funding and research opportunities and match these to researchers in iSEE and affiliated faculty.
- Steer the development and coordination of interdisciplinary proposals with faculty teams, through creating timelines, supporting administrative documents, and providing feedback to strengthen research narratives for grant proposals.
- Coordinate interaction with the members of the iSEE business office, academic units, other institutes and offices involved in proposal submissions to ensure timely and well-executed iSEE-led proposals.
- Develop iSEE-supported seed proposal calls and organize review teams for submitted proposals.
- Organize and facilitate interdisciplinary team building workshops and networking among scholars on campus.
- Research Management:
- Review grant financial reports to identify risks associated with burn rate, cost share, and impending grant end dates.
- Serve as a liaison to SPA for postaward questions. Independently interpret and apply sponsor and University policies. Take action to troubleshoot problems, recommend process improvements, and ensure proactive compliance.
- Prepare audit documentation and assist as a point of contact during internal and external audit processes. Respond to audit findings and follow up on required actions in collaboration with the supervisor.
- Establish Collaborative Relationships Across Campus & Beyond:
- Curate and manage iSEE affiliated faculty lists and researcher listservs.
- Actively participate in the Illinois Research Development community of practice and stay up to date with university-wide research facilities and resources.
- Keep current on research funding outlook by following updates from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, government agencies, and foundations and disseminating them within iSEE and to affiliated faculty.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in science, engineering, or social science field.
- Minimum of four years' direct experience with research development and engagement with research teams.
- Experience with research proposal writing, securing and managing research grants from federal agencies such as the NSF, USDA, DOE, etc.