Research Dev Associate II

Research Dev Associate II

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research is seeking a Research Development Associate II to support research leadership in the administration and development of key VPR research initiatives. This is a dynamic, multi-faceted role that includes components of both research administration and research development work. 
 
This role would primarily support elements of Research Hubs and Working Groups. These are organized, thematic entities built to drive our nationally renowned research towards new heights. Hubs, Working Groups, and other VPR-led research initiatives are designed to rapidly address research topics that cut across disciplinary boundaries, facilitate long-term collaboration and research success for our research community, expand the funding portfolio of the institution, and support the University of Utah's goal of becoming a top public university with unparalleled societal impact. Hubs and Working Groups conduct social/working events around specific funding areas or opportunities, measure and monitor institutional strengths and opportunities, organize interdisciplinary response teams for portfolio-expansion opportunities, prepare and submit extramural funding proposals, and more.
 
Examples of initiatives the Research Development Associate II may support are:  

•       Research Hubs (ex: Energy Futures Research Engine) 
  
•       Research Working Groups
  
•       Grand Challenges (ex: Remote and Austere Conditions Grand Challenge)
  
•       Future efforts with similar profiles to above entities
   
  About the Role
  The Research Development Associate III will act both independently and with supervision of research leadership & faculty to support and implement a wide range of strategic, proactive, and capacity-building activities designed to enable and enhance research. This often includes strategic research advancement, communication of research and research opportunities, enhancement of collaboration and team science, and project management for proposal development. This role is designed to be dynamic - assignments to research initiatives will be based on expertise, background, and interest. Individuals with strong organizational, communication, and project management skills are likely to be successful in this role. 
   
  About the AVPR Office
  The Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR) Office provides direct oversight of the University of Utah's internal and external grant activity, grant development, institutional capacity building, and submission pipeline. The AVPR Office works to provide high-impact support, infrastructure, and resources for the University of Utah research community. The primary responsibilities of the AVPR Office include identifying and building resources that (1) expands the University's scholarly and creative research portfolio, (2) increases high-profile, collaborative external funding submissions and awards, and (3) establishes critical grant-writing and research development support infrastructure. The AVPR Office also oversees the limited submissions opportunity selection process, the University Research Committee (URC), the VPR Office's internal grants and research faculty award opportunities, the One Utah Research Council (OURC), and other research portfolio enhancement efforts.
   
  About the VPR Office
  In 1968, the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) was created to promote and build research excellence at the University of Utah. The VPR office oversees numerous research administration units that provide support services, research opportunities, and professional development for researchers, students, and staff on campus. The reporting VPR units are responsible for compliance and safety; research education and training; grant proposal development and submission, and more. Through strategic leadership and planning, the VPR office provides effective resources that serve the University's research community and accelerate innovation and discovery at the U. 
   
  About the University of Utah and Benefits
  The University of Utah is located at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and offers a rich benefits package for eligible employees including affordable health insurance on the first day, generous retirement contributions, 13 paid holidays per year plus vacation accruals each month, tuition reduction for employees and families, paid parental leave and more. Please visit our Benefits website for more information: https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits// 
  
  Responsibilities
  

• Work independently and with initiative leadership to convene, coordinate, and develop research interest groups (such as Hubs and Working Groups). Support leadership in developing and promoting content & structure of research initiatives. Coordinate resources and tools to promote collaboration.
• Provide a wide range of administrative support for research initiatives and their leadership. This includes but is not limited to calendaring/scheduling management, processing questions/requests from UofU community, ordering supplies & catering, etc.
• Plan, prepare, and execute operations on interdisciplinary community events, seminars, workshops, grant preparation meetings, grand challenge events, campus visits from distinguished guests, and other capacity-building research events. Events vary in scope and size.
• Prepare and disseminate written communications (informational emails, event flyers, professional documents, presentations, etc.) on behalf of the initiative and its leadership. Work with initiative leadership to execute communication strategies to inform internal and external stakeholders of initiative activities.
• Routinely identify and disseminate funding opportunities and proposal development tools to initiative leadership and participants.
• Work with initiative leadership to measure and monitor initiative activity for effectiveness and progression. Collect proposal and award information metrics and other reporting needs.
• With oversight from leadership, begin to assist with administrative and development tasks on large/complex grant proposals. This primarily means providing project management and team coordination for grant response teams preparing and submitting extramural grant proposals. Duties may also include: basic copy-editing/formatting of proposal drafts, writing non-technical proposal components, providing strategic advice on making proposals more competitive, etc.
• Collaborate with other VPR units to identify institutional research priorities, strengths, opportunities, etc.
• When applicable and as requested by initiative leadership, serve as institutional representative of the research initiative to internal and external communities.
• As requested by the VPR Office, participate in broader institutional initiatives, proposal and award applications, staff mentoring, and other administrative assignments.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically requiredNearly Continuously: Office environment.Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be requiredNearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree + two years of related experience or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience).
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences
1. Very strong organizational and time management skills
2. Very strong written and verbal communication skills
3. Ability to analyze problems and identify creative, innovative, and analytical solutions
4. Relevant project management experience
5. Relevant administration and/or university administration experience
6. Relevant understanding of federal, state, foundation, and/or corporate research landscape
7. Relevant grant proposal development experience
8. Experience with complex team building/team-facilitation and demonstrated ability to work as part of a in interdisciplinary team
9. Willingness and ability to work flexibly and on short notice to meet tight grant deadlines.

Special Instructions


Requisition Number: PRN40073B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Primarily Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends as required for grant deadlines and events. 
Department: 00639 - VP for Research
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: $47,600 - $84,249, depending on experience
Close Date:
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/172497


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