Research Development Associate

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 64,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah Health Research Office seeks a Research Development Associate to coordinate and support a designated strategic research initiative, manage project plans, and help implement an institutional framework for honorific nominations and large grant proposals.

The role requires strong writing, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to work with faculty, staff, and campus partners, and may involve in-person events and workshops as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to edit and format complex documents.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate operations for strategic research initiatives.
• Assist in proposal development and team science activities.
• Support community-building events and workshops.
• Help develop awards processes and documentation across the office.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Research Development Associate

Job Summary

The University of Utah Health Research Office (HSRO) seeks aResearch Development Associate (Research Development AssociateII/III/IV, depending on qualifications) to coordinate and support abroad portfolio of research development activities across the HSROResearch Program Development Team. The position will provideday-to-day management of a designated strategic researchinitiative; help implement an institutional framework foridentifying, prioritizing, and supporting honorific awardnominations; support large research grant proposal development;support select workshops and events; and strengthen the operatingsystems that keep the team's work moving.

As a central member of the team, the Research Development Associatewill work with faculty, initiative leaders, staff, and campuspartners to translate priorities into organized work plans,coordinate people and information, communicate next steps, anddeliver high-quality materials. The role is well suited to aresourceful professional who combines strong project coordination,communication, writing, relationship-building, attention to detail,and strong interest in academic research. Theposition will complete assignments of moderate scope and complexitywith increasing independence and guidance from senior researchdevelopment professionals.

The Research Development Associate will report to the SeniorDirector of Research Program Development and will contributeflexibly to emerging and ongoing priorities across the HSRO. Thisposition must be available for an in-person schedule per universitypolicies, including occasional early-morning and evening activitiesassociated with our office's in-person workshops and events.

About the University of Utah Health Research Office

The HSRO strengthens programs, departments, and collegeswithin University of Utah Health by providing strategic planning,decision support, goal setting, administrative and programmaticexpertise, and program development. The Research ProgramDevelopment Team helps develop and implement strategicresearch initiatives and other activities that build institutionalresearch capacity. We prioritize team well-being, activecollaboration, and a positive and supportive environment thatfosters personal and professional growth.

Research Development Associate, CP

Coordinate and support a variety of strategic and capacity-buildingactivities to enable and enhance research efforts at theUniversity. Perform tasks related to strategic researchadvancement, communicate research opportunities, and enhancecollaboration. Assist with administrative functions for complexproposals, support data collection and reporting needs, and formatand copy-edit documents. Disseminate grant opportunities, provideproposal-related metrics, organize events and seminars, and supportcommunity-building operations. Resolve varied problems requiringanalysis and creativity while developing specialized skills throughtraining and experience.

Learn more about the great benefits of working forUniversity of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

HSRO Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Research Initiative Coordination:Coordinate operations of a designated strategicresearch initiatives. Develop and maintain work plans,meeting schedules, deliverables, and progress updates; supportinitiative leadership and committee activities; and coordinatebudget tracking and reporting with appropriate partners. Identify,compile, and communicate relevant extramural funding opportunities. Develop content for a weekly initiative newsletter. Plan researchcommunity-building events, such as symposia, seminar series,networking sessions, and stakeholder meetings. Developannouncements, presentations, reports, and other materials forinternal and external audiences.

Proposal Development & Team Science:Coordinate the development of complex research proposals under theguidance of senior research development professionals. Organizefunding opportunity kickoff sessions and team meetings, establishtimelines and task assignments, maintain document-controlprocesses, gather required components, and serve as a liaison amonginvestigators, pre-award staff, and collaborating units orinstitutions. Contribute to proposal quality and readiness byediting drafts, writing or adapting nontechnical components,collecting institutional information and metrics, coordinatinginternal reviews, and helping ensure that materials are completeand responsive to sponsor and University requirements.

Community Building:Support the design anddelivery of networking events, symposia, workshops, professionaltrainings, and information sessions. Assist with program content,speakers, agendas, registration, materials, logistics,communications, participant evaluation, and follow-up. Buildeffective working relationships across the HSRO and with faculty,departments, colleges, and campus partners. Facilitate timelycommunication, follow-through, and resolution of routine projectissues.

Support University National Distinction:Helpdevelop and maintain an institutional framework for honorificawards and other external recognition, including an awardscalendar, candidate pipeline, monthly newsletter, reusableresources, and documented processes. Coordinate the development ofindividual nominations by establishing timelines and checklists;gathering nomination materials; coordinating letters, reviews, andapprovals; maintaining confidential records; tracking submissionsand outcomes; and developing templates and guidance.

Other Research Development Activities:Support activities across our office's existing initiatives and contributeto emerging institutional initiatives as needed. Attend andcontribute to weekly Research Program Development team meetings.Other administrative assignments, as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Department may hire employee at one of the following joblevels:

Research Development Associate, II: Requires abachelor's (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master's (orequivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

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

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

Preferences

• Master's or PHD Degree
• Experience coordinating multiple projects, programs, orinitiatives with overlapping timelines and stakeholders.
• Strong writing, editing, communication, organizational, andinterpersonal skills, with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines andorganizational levels while handling sensitive or confidentialinformation with discretion.
• Experience in a university, academic medical center, healthsystem, or research-intensive environment.
• Experience with scientific research.
• Familiarity with federal and state funding agencies, includingthe NIH, DoD, ARPA-H, NSF, and USHE.
• Flexibility and responsiveness in managing changing prioritiesand time-sensitive work.

The ideal candidate:

• Thinks strategically about how to position research ideas forfunding success
• Is comfortable working with senior faculty and guiding complexdiscussions
• Can balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail
• Excels at synthesizing and integrating information frommultiple sources
• Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, deadline-drivenenvironment

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN46245B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary:

Department: 01488 - Health Research Admin Office

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: $63,775-$90,000

Close Date: 12/18/2026

Open Until Filled: