Job Information

University of Utah Director, Research Development in Salt Lake City, Utah

Details

Open Date 11/11/2022

Requisition Number PRN32975B

Job Title Director, Research Dev

Working Title Director, Research Development

Job Grade I

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Varies

VP Area President

Department 00639 - VP for Research

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $103,700 - $148,100

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Job Summary

Introduction

The Office of the Vice President for Research is seeking a Research Development Director to develop and provide oversight of all administrative aspects of a new campus-wide grant-development unit – the Large Infrastructure Funding Team ( LIFT ), designed to build and support response teams for center, program, and other large-scale, interdisciplinary grant opportunities. For example, LIFT will organize and coordinate responses to NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) (https://nsf.gov/eng/eec/erc.jsp) ,Science and Technology Centers (STCs) (https://beta.nsf.gov/oia/ia/learn-about-nsf-science-technology-centers) , andMid-Scale Research Infrastructure-1 (Mid-Scale R1) (https://beta.nsf.gov/events/mid-scale-research-infrastructure-1-program-0/2022-10-28) RFAs. LIFT will also build and guide teams responding toDepartment of Defense ( DOD ) (https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-making-agencies/department-of-defense.html) ,Department of Energy ( DOE ) (https://www.energy.gov/science/office-science-funding/office-science-funding-opportunities) ,Small Business Innovation Research ( SBIR ) and Small Business Technology Transfer ( STTR ) (https://www.sbir.gov/about) ,National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding\_program.htm) ,National Endowment for the Humanities ( NEH ) (https://www.neh.gov/grants) ,National Endowment for the Arts ( NEA ) (https://www.arts.gov/grants) , and other large-scale Federal, State, and Foundation funding calls. Optimally, LIFT will have between 9 and 15 major grant applications in progress at any time. These grants typically require multiple components such as multi-university partnerships, industry partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expertise in curating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive research environment.

e and coordinate responses to NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) (https://nsf.gov/eng/eec/erc.jsp) ,Science and Technology Centers (STCs) (https://beta.nsf.gov/oia/ia/learn-about-nsf-science-technology-centers) , andMid-Scale Research Infrastructure-1 (Mid-Scale R1) (https://beta.nsf.gov/events/mid-scale-research-infrastructure-1-program-0/2022-10-28) RFAs. LIFT will also build and guide teams responding toDepartment of Defense ( DOD ) (https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-making-agencies/department-of-defense.html) ,Department of Energy ( DOE ) (https://www.energy.gov/science/office-science-funding/office-science-funding-opportunities) ,Small Business Innovation Research ( SBIR ) and Small Business Technology Transfer ( STTR ) (https://www.sbir.gov/about) ,National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding\_program.htm) ,National Endowment for the Humanities ( NEH ) (https://www.neh.gov/grants) ,National Endowment for the Arts ( NEA ) (https://www.arts.gov/grants) , and other large-scale Federal, State, and Foundation funding calls. Optimally, LIFT will have between 9 and 15 major grant applications in progress at any time. These grants typically require multiple components such as multi-university partnerships, industry partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expertise in curating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive research environment.

About the Role

The Director will play a key leadership role in the strategic planning and execution of LIFT . This includes developing, implementing, and overseeing LIFT’s functionality model, mission, budget, and policies in coordination with the Associate Vice President for Research Office. A central function of this role is to work with internal and external stakeholders to increase program/center funding.

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, development, 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, (3) establishes critical grant-writing and research development support infrastructure, and (4) prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion within the research sphere. 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 the University’s response to DEI research.

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. The VPR leads through its core values of integrity, diversity, respect, collaboration, and innovation.

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 including affordable health insurance on the first day, generous retirement contributions of 14.2%, 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

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

  • Directly and independently partner with the VPR , University of Utah, and other local and national stakeholders in strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of LIFT on behalf of the Associate Vice President for Research Unit ( AVPR ).
  • Develop and manage the LIFT budget.
  • Develop and manage the LIFT strategic plan – including identifying, hiring, training, and mentoring unit staff.
  • Identify relevant funding opportunities to pursue and support by collaborating with Faculty, Staff, Principal Investigators, Leadership, and other key personnel for strategic center/programmatic grant research. Collect and coordinate resources and tools to promote collaboration. Identify complementary research interests among faculty and assemble competitive teams to respond to funding opportunities.
  • Facilitate, manage, and serve as key contributor to the preparation of complex research proposals, including participation in proposal writing, alignment of PIs and key personnel, resource and budget recommendations, and timeline development. Guide integrated research teams (sharing leadership responsibilities and decision-making authority)
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration with other academic centers, industry partners, partnering institutions, etc. Provide information and analysis to support formal partnerships with external entities.
  • Interact with and serve as liaison with sponsors, department offices, political and corporate leaders, etc. Serve as institutional representatives to the University of Utah community and external stakeholders.
  • Organize internal research community building and training events (e.g., symposia, seminars, asynchronous and in-person courses and workshops, etc.) and provide majority of oversight for LIFT’s communications and marketing platforms
  • Oversee the development and execution of internal funding mechanisms and other small grant programs to catalyze center/programmatic grant research.
  • As requested by the VPR Office, participate in broader institutional initiatives, proposal and award applications, staff mentoring, and other administrative assignments.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree + four years of related experience or Bachelor’s degree + eight years of related experience or 16 years of related experience.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

  1. MS or PhD Degree
  2. 5 or more years of highly relevant grant proposal development experience
  3. 5 or more years of highly relevant grant writing experience
  4. University research administration experience
  5. Strong organizational and time management skills
  6. Significant experience with grant development, writing and/or grants communications
  7. Experience with complex program development and management
  8. Experience with complex team-building and demonstrated ability to work as part of a in interdisciplinary team
  9. Commitment to integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion into all responsibilities
  10. Willingness and ability to work flexibly and on short notice to meet tight grant deadlines.

Type Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action:

Director/ Title IX Coordinator

Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA)

135 Park Building

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-8365

oeo@utah.edu

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

For more information: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

To inquire about this posting, email: employment@utah.edu (%20employment@utah.edu) or call 801-581-2300.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.