Assistant Director, Research Development-Engineering and Physical Sciences

Brown University; Providence (RI); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University seeks an Assistant Director, Research Development for the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Located in Providence, this role supports faculty in crafting competitive federal funding proposals and coordinating strategic research initiatives.

You will collaborate with the Research Strategy and Development team to cultivate relationships with agencies such as NSF, NASA, DoD, and DoE, facilitating proposal development and cross-department collaborations.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or related field required.
• At least 5+ years of related experience in a university, federal agency, or research institute.
• Experiential knowledge of federal funding agencies (NSF, NASA, DoD, DoE) required.

Responsibilities

• Establish collaborative relationships with eligible faculty who are preparing federal funding proposals.
• Provide research development support and coaching for proposals in assigned disciplines; identify federal funding opportunities.
• Develop broader impacts, recruitment strategies, and liaison with offices and partners.
• Assist in coordinating relationships with mission-driven agencies (NASA, DoD, DoE) and their labs.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Graduate degree in physical sciences or engineering

PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

About Brown

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world. Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more. To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the University Human Resources web page for further information.

Job Description

About Brown

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world. Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more. To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the University Human Resources web page for further information.

About The Opportunity

The Assistant Director, Research Development (School of Engineering and Physical Sciences) is a member of the Research Strategy and Development team (RSD) within the Division of Research. The purpose of RSD is to catalyze creative scholarship by empowering individuals and teams to lead strategic research endeavors with global impact. The group works with faculty, the Vice President for Research, and senior leaders to provide research leadership, build research capacity, and enable federal funding for research at Brown. Our group offers strategic planning and team support for collaborative research proposals; identifies and disseminates federal funding opportunities; consults with individual faculty on their proposal development strategies; manages competitive and/or limited submission processes; develops and maintains relationships with mission-driven federal funding agencies; and helps connect and leverage Brown’s research investments across the university to help coordinate and optimize federally funded research.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Research Development, the Assistant Director, in coordination with senior leadership within the units, will support the research goals of faculty of the School of Engineering and the Departments within the Physical Sciences, including Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. The Assistant Director also supports the research activities of all Centers, Initiatives and Institutes (e.g. ARIA, an NSF AI Institute) that reports to the assigned units. The Assistant Director, Research Development will undertake the following responsibilities:

Faculty relationship management

establish collaborative relationships with faculty who are eligible to submit federal funding proposals; reach out to new faculty to provide guidance on a career in research; support current individual faculty proposals; learn about faculty research agendas in assigned portfolio, and identify potential funding targets.

Proposal development

provide research development support and coaching for proposals in assigned disciplines; identify federal funding opportunities, assist in the writing of non-technical components; develop broader impacts, community engagement, and recruitment strategies by liaising with other offices and community partners.

Institutional relationships

support the RSD leadership in building and strengthening relationships with mission-driven agencies, such as NASA, DoD and DoE and their affiliate laboratories.

Technical workshops

assist in the creation of workshops, support and coaching for faculty research and teaming; focus on skills such as NSF proposal writing, broader impacts, proposal writing for mission-driven agencies.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Graduate degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or related field required: PhD preferred.
• At least 5+ years of related experience in a university, federal agency, or research institute.
• Experiential knowledge (proposal writing, program management, agency experience) of federal funding agencies (NSF, NASA, DoD, DoE) required.

Job Competencies

• Microsoft and Google suite tools; competent with spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to work independently, coordinating and prioritizing multiple projects.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex health research concepts for non-technical components of a grant.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Recruiting Start Date

2026-04-21

Job Posting Title

Assistant Director, Research Development-Engineering and Physical Sciences

Department

Office of Research Strategy and Development

Grade

Grade 11

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Position Work Location

Hybrid

Submission Guidelines

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote. Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Brown is an E-Verify Employer

EEO Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.