Director of Office of Research Development

The Office of Research Development (ORD), within the Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education (VPREDGE), is seeking a highly motivated individual to join the office as Director of ORD. The Director of ORD supports ORD initiatives aimed at increasing research and creative activities on campus. The Director of ORD will be responsible for supporting faculty across all stages of the competitive grants and contract application process: identification, development, preparation and submission. The Director of ORD will work collaboratively with research development specialists housed within the ORD and across many of MSU’s colleges and research centers/institutes. This position will report to the Associate Vice President for Research Development and regularly interact with faculty, research administrators, and Office of Sponsored Programs staff.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop a strong understanding and database of faculty research interests and the alignment of these interests with signature and emerging programs. 
• Assist ORD staff to maintain funding opportunity Master calendar, including Limited Submissions, and managing the internal review process. 
• Assist MSU faculty and researchers to identify specific funding opportunities (federal, state, private) and to prepare grant proposals for submission. 
• Assist in building a program to promote interdisciplinary research collaborations across academic units. 
• Assist in coordinating research collaborations across universities, especially those in the five state WWAMI region. 
• Facilitate team science process to prepare large-scale, competitive multidisciplinary proposals. This includes leveraging collaborative opportunities with other universities and partners (i.e., national laboratories). 
• Review grant proposals against the solicitation’s merit review criteria and identify required documents (e.g., letters of collaboration, biosketches). 
• Update and maintain proposal boilerplate language and develop a resource of successful proposal examples. 
• In tandem with other existing training on campus, develop and assist in delivering grantsmanship and project administration training for new and mid-career investigators.
• Assist with organization and management of ORD staff and coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure excellence in research development programming.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Master’s degree and a minimum of three additional years of relevant experience, such as research development/ administration and multi-investigator proposal development.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of the pre-award research administration process and sponsored grant life cycle. 
3. Knowledge of research compliance as it relates to proposal submission and grant management. 
4. Experience with creating and delivering training workshops.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively at all levels in a collaborative team environment. 
6. Advanced organizational and project management skills. 
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Ph.D. with research experience. 
2. Successful submission of large, complex grants.
3. Knowledge of and/or experience with the science of team science and effective team management strategies.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Represent the Office of Research and Economic Development and its programs to others in a professional and courteous manner
• Have excellent leadership, written and oral communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Provide evidence of strong decision-making skills and initiative
• Exercise adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective and professional approach
• Work effectively both independently and in a team-orientated manner, under minimal supervision
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of constituents both internal and external to the organization
• Appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information

Desired start date: Upon successful completion of search. Screening of applications will begin on August 2, 2021; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

MSU Mission:

As the state's land-grant university, Montana State integrates education, creation of knowledge and art, and service to communities.

One of MSU's greatest assets is its location. Bozeman is known as one of the top towns in the country for outdoor recreation. Bozeman, surrounded by mountains, is lauded by many for offering a high quality of life. It's easy to understand why people want to live, work and play here. Add the cultural amenities of a local symphony and museums, the vibrancy of a college community and an energetic downtown -- Bozeman is the complete package.

Diversity Statement: 

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran’s status, sex, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.

Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu .

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: http://www.montana.edu/hr/disability_accommodation/complaints_grievances.html .