Research Development Associate

University of Utah Health Research; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 33,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah Center on Aging seeks a Research Development Associate to coordinate age‑friendly health care and geriatric research initiatives across university and partner settings. You will support interdisciplinary collaboration, identify funding opportunities, and assist with program implementation and evaluation.

The role requires strong writing, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and project coordination skills, with a focus on translating evidence into practice for older adults

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.
• Experience coordinating multiple research, clinical improvement, or community-engaged projects with overlapping timelines and stakeholders is preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Age‑Friendly Health Systems, the 4Ms framework, and geriatric care is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Age‑Friendly Health Care Initiative Coordination: develop work plans, schedules, deliverables, and progress updates; support committees and clinical champions; create toolkits and communications.
• Geriatric Research Development, Grant Opportunities, and Team Science: identify funding opportunities, maintain a funding pipeline, coordinate complex proposals, and liaise with internal and external partners.
• Evaluation, Data Analysis, and Knowledge Translation: manage data, define measures, build dashboards, and translate results into practice resources.
• Partnership and Community Engagement: cultivate relationships with stakeholders, plan events, and coordinate communications and outcomes.
• Center Operations and Strategic Communications: maintain project plans, calendars, and newsletters; support budget tracking and stakeholder communications.

Skills

Grant writing

Project coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

REDCap

Job description

The University of Utah Center on Aging seeks a Research Development Associate (Research Development Associate II/ III /IV, depending on qualifications) to coordinate and advance a portfolio of Age-Friendly Health Care and geriatric research initiatives. The position will support the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs that improve care and outcomes for older adults; strengthen interdisciplinary aging research; coordinate strategic partnerships; support complex grant proposals; and build the operational systems needed to move Center priorities forward.

As a central member of the Center on Aging, the Research Development Associate will work with faculty, clinical leaders, researchers, health system partners, community organizations, and older adults and care partners to translate strategic priorities into organized work plans and measurable results. The role is well suited to a resourceful professional who combines project coordination, communication, writing, relationship-building, data-informed improvement, and attention to detail with a strong interest in aging, Age-Friendly Health Care, implementation science, and interdisciplinary geriatric research. The position will complete assignments of moderate scope and complexity with increasing independence and guidance from Center leadership and senior research professionals.

The Research Development Associate will report to the Center on Aging and will contribute flexibly to emerging and ongoing priorities across its clinical, research, education, and community-engagement missions. This position must be available for an in‑person schedule per University policies, including occasional early‑morning or evening activities associated with workshops, research events, stakeholder meetings, and community programs.

Following hire, the selected candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, subject to completion of applicable VA onboarding, credentialing, background, privacy, security, and training requirements.

About The Center On Aging

The University of Utah Center on Aging is an interdisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing health, independence, and quality of life for older adults through research, education, clinical innovation, workforce development, and community partnership. The Center brings together investigators, clinicians, learners, health system leaders, community partners, older adults, and care partners to accelerate discovery and translate evidence into age‑friendly practice. Its work supports coordinated, person‑centered care and promotes the principles of the 4Ms—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility—across care settings and populations.

Research Development Associate, CP

Coordinate and support strategic, capacity‑building, and implementation activities that advance Age‑Friendly Health Care and geriatric research across the University and its partners. Support interdisciplinary research collaboration, identify and communicate funding opportunities, coordinate complex proposals, assist with program implementation and evaluation, collect and report outcomes, and develop clear materials for clinical, research, community, and funder audiences. Organize learning collaboratives, workshops, symposia, and stakeholder forums; strengthen partnerships with older adults and care partners; and help translate evidence into sustainable improvements in care for older adults.

Responsibilities

Center on Aging Specific Responsibilities

• Age‑Friendly Health Care Initiative Coordination: Coordinate implementation and expansion of age‑friendly practices across clinical and community settings, with particular emphasis on reliable delivery of the 4Ms—What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Develop and maintain work plans, meeting schedules, deliverables, performance measures, and progress updates; support steering committees, workgroups, and clinical champions; coordinate education and technical assistance; identify implementation barriers; and help teams test, spread, and sustain improvements. Prepare presentations, reports, toolkits, communications, and recognition materials for internal and external audiences.
• Geriatric Research Development, Grant Opportunities, and Team Science: Proactively identify, evaluate, track, and disseminate grant and other funding opportunities aligned with the Center’s Age‑Friendly Health Care and geriatric research priorities. Match investigators and interdisciplinary teams with appropriate opportunities; maintain a funding pipeline and proposal calendar; summarize sponsor priorities and requirements; and coordinate go/no‑go and concept‑development discussions. Coordinate development of complex, interdisciplinary aging‑related proposals under the guidance of Center leadership and senior investigators. Organize funding‑opportunity reviews, kickoff sessions, and team meetings; establish timelines and task assignments; maintain document‑control processes; gather required components; and serve as a liaison among investigators, pre‑award staff, clinical partners, community collaborators, and participating institutions. Partner closely with university Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and health system leadership to structure Sponsored Research Agreements, navigate IP licensing, and accelerate the commercialization of high‑impact aging and clinical care innovations. Contribute to proposal quality by editing drafts, writing or adapting nontechnical components, collecting institutional information and metrics, coordinating internal reviews, and helping ensure that materials are complete, inclusive, and responsive to sponsor and University requirements.
• Evaluation, Data Analysis, and Knowledge Translation: Lead and perform substantial data management and analysis for Age‑Friendly Health Care and aging research initiatives. Work with clinical, research, operational, and analytics partners to define measures; clean, integrate, validate, and analyze complex quantitative and qualitative datasets; assess trends, adoption, performance, and outcomes; and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Develop and maintain dashboards, data visualizations, reports, abstracts, manuscripts, presentations, and sponsor deliverables. Help translate research findings and quality‑improvement results into practical resources that can be used by clinicians, health systems, community partners, older adults, and care partners.
• Partnership and Community Engagement: Build effective working relationships with faculty, clinicians, health system leaders, trainees, community organizations, policymakers, funders, older adults, and care partners. Support advisory groups and stakeholder‑engagement activities; plan symposia, workshops, learning collaboratives, listening sessions, and networking events; and coordinate program content, speakers, agendas, registration, materials, logistics, communications, participant evaluation, and follow‑up. Promote meaningful inclusion of diverse perspectives and facilitate timely communication, shared accountability, and resolution of routine project issues.
• Center Operations and Strategic Communications: Strengthen the systems that support the Center’s research, clinical innovation, education, and community missions. Maintain project plans, calendars, resource libraries, standard processes, and stakeholder communications; identify and disseminate relevant funding, training, and partnership opportunities; support budget tracking and reporting with appropriate partners; and develop newsletters, web content, summaries, presentations, and other materials that communicate the Center’s impact and priorities.

CP Specific Descriptions

Research Development Associate, II

Build upon the foundational responsibilities of Research Development Associate I with expanded knowledge and greater independence. Identify areas of institutional research priorities, coordinate resources to promote collaboration, and serve as a representative to stakeholders. Manage strategic research initiatives, advise on proposal development, and execute communication strategies to inform stakeholders of research operations. Organize and lead interdisciplinary community‑building activities, co‑lead large proposal teams, and provide guidance to enhance research development strategies. Address varied issues requiring evaluation, interpretation, and innovation while contributing to the growth of the University’s research mission.

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

This is a Developing‑Level position in the General Professional track.

Job Code: P58452

Grade: P14

Expected Pay Range: $32,904 to $69,269

Research Development Associate, III

Independently implement strategic and capacity‑building activities to advance research initiatives. Represent the University to external visitors and partners, coordinate strategic research initiatives, and oversee pre‑submission peer reviews of proposals. Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies, build competitive proposal teams, and participate as key personnel on proposals. Mentor other associates and proactively identify opportunities to grow the University’s research enterprise. Resolve complex problems requiring independent decision‑making and strategic recommendations to enhance research outcomes.

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

This is a Career‑Level position in the General Professional track.

Job Code: P58453

Grade: P16

Expected Pay Range: $39,815 to $84,252

Research Development Associate, IV

Implement advanced strategies to support and enhance research development initiatives at the University. Engage with political and corporate leaders, analyze outcomes, and mentor associates while managing multiple strategic initiatives. Develop institutional strategic directions, guide integrated research teams, and oversee internal and external reviews for proposals. Provide leadership in enhancing the University’s research profile and address complex operational challenges that require innovative solutions.

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

This is an Advanced‑Level position in the General Professional track.

Job Code: P58454

Grade: P18

Expected Pay Range: $48,175 to $90,000

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Development Associate, III : Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Research Development Associate, IV : Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Research Development Associate, V : Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 10 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

• Master’s or doctoral degree in public health, health services research, gerontology, aging studies, nursing, social work, implementation science, health administration, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating multiple research, clinical improvement, or community‑engaged projects with overlapping timelines and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Age‑Friendly Health Systems, the 4Ms framework, geriatric care, or health care delivery for older adults.
• Experience with geriatric, aging, health services, implementation science, or quality‑improvement research.
• Strong writing, editing, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with close attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and organizational levels and to engage respectfully with older adults, care partners, clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders.
• Experience in a university, academic medical center, health system, aging‑services organization, or research‑intensive environment.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, evaluating, tracking, and communicating grant opportunities; matching funding opportunities to investigators or programs; and supporting funding pipelines for aging and health care research, including opportunities from NIH institutes and centers, AHRQ, ACL, PCORI, CMS, foundations, and state or regional partners.
• Experience with program evaluation, performance measurement, data visualization, dissemination, or translating evidence into practice.
• Advanced experience conducting substantial quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including data cleaning, integration, validation, interpretation, visualization, and reporting using large or complex clinical, research, or program datasets.
• Experience using REDCap to build or manage data collection instruments, maintain research or program data, support reporting, or coordinate study workflows.
• Flexibility and responsiveness in managing changing priorities, team‑based work, and time‑sensitive deliverables.

Type

Benefited Staff

Additional Information

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.

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

Veterans’ Preference

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.

Equal‑Opportunity and Diversity Statement

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah 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 Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.