Research Development Lead – Engineering & Physical Sciences

Brown University; Searchlight Township (NV); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University is seeking an Assistant Director, Research Development for the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. You will support proposal development, manage faculty relationships, and coordinate with federal funding agencies to create strategic opportunities.

This role requires a graduate degree, 5+ years of experience, and strong writing and leadership skills; the team drives research strategy and supports interdisciplinary initiatives with a broad impact.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Independent work

Education

Graduate degree in physical sciences or engineering

PhD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Brown University is seeking an Assistant Director, Research Development for the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. You will support proposal development, manage faculty relationships, and coordinate with federal funding agencies to create strategic opportunities.

This role requires a graduate degree, 5+ years of experience, and strong writing and leadership skills; the team drives research strategy and supports interdisciplinary initiatives with a broad impact.