Proposal Development Specialist, Coordinator, or Senior Coordinator

University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) seeks a Proposal Development Specialist, Coordinator, or Senior Coordinator to join the Office of Research Development. The role focuses on editing and coordinating proposals for faculty and collaborators, with opportunities to coach and guide across disciplines.

The position supports large-scale, interdisciplinary projects, emphasizes editing excellence, and requires strong communication, organization, and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Edit single investigator and small group grant proposals and provide editorial support for colleagues developing large, complex proposals.
• Coordinate development of large-scale, collaborative proposals.
• Coach faculty about best practices for proposal writing; prepare faculty to network with program officers.
• Co-authoring, reviewing, and refining individual investigator and small group grant applications; manage development of large-scale collaborative proposals.

Skills

Excellent writing

Editing

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline

Master’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Employment Website

Proposal Development Specialist, Coordinator, or Senior Coordinator

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Position Information

EEO Statement

Working Title

Working Title Proposal Development Specialist, Coordinator, or Senior Coordinator

Department

Department Research Development-13276

Requisition Number

Requisition Number S_260718

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/01/2026

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date) 09/14/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Description of Work

The Office of Research and Innovation (R&I) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln ( UNL ) is committed to promoting a culture and environment for success in research, scholarship, creative endeavors, and economic development. Conducting novel and impactful research that generates new knowledge, solves real-world problems, and enhances lives is among the most fundamental purposes of the institution.

The Office of Proposal Development seeks to hire a Proposal Development professional at one of three levels: Specialist, Coordinator, or Senior Coordinator. This position joins a team of research development professionals to provide comprehensive proposal development assistance to UNL faculty, staff, and administrators.

The primary responsibilities of the proposal development specialist and coordinator are to edit single investigator and small group grant proposals and provide editorial support for colleagues developing large, complex proposals. In addition, the proposal development coordinator also manages the development of large-scale, collaborative proposals.

The primary responsibilities of the senior proposal development coordinator are coaching faculty about best practices for proposal writing; preparing faculty to network with program officers; co-authoring, reviewing, and refining individual investigator and small group grant applications; and managing the development of large-scale, collaborative proposals.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Proposal Development Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline plus three years of demonstrated experience writing and/or editing grant proposals in the public or private sector.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and independently make decisions in a deadline-driven environment.
• Master’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a relevant scientific discipline plus five years of demonstrated experience writing and/or editing grant proposals in the public or private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to provide comprehensive proposal development assistance for large-scale interdisciplinary, multi-institutional projects.
• Excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly become familiar with complex subject matter in a wide variety of academic disciplines.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and independently make decisions in a deadline-driven environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of national research priorities and funding agencies.
• Experience managing complex teams of professionals from diverse backgrounds in a highly competitive environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Proposal Development Specialist:

• Demonstrated experience writing and/or editing grant proposals in the public or private sector.
• Professional experience in a university setting.
• Professional experience in a university setting.

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required

Pre-Placement Driving Record Review Required No

Physical Required

Physical Required No

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required. Subject to DOT approved pre-employment & random testing for alcohol and controlled substances. No

Criminal History Background Check Required

Criminal History Background Check Required Yes

Posted Salary Negotiable based on qualifications and experience

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact

Ember Welsch, Human Resources Coordinator Lead
Office of Research & Economic Development
[e-mail]

Job Category (old)

Job Category (old) Managerial/Professional

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Alternate Work Schedule (if other than 8-5)

Work Location (City, State)

Work Location (City, State) Lincoln, NE

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding? No

If Temporary, indicate end date

Planned Hire Date:

Appointment End Date

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).