Research Development Officer, Division of Research & Innovation

Wayne State University; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University in Detroit is seeking an experienced Research Development Officer in the Division of Research & Innovation to lead proposal development, strategic partnerships, and faculty support for competitive external funding.

The role collaborates with academic leaders, coordinates large-scale proposals, and builds connections with external partners to position teams for grant success while advancing the university’s research impact and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7+ years’ experience in Research Development, proposal development, and/or grant writing in higher education.
• Experience with sponsored research administration, funders, and peer review processes.
• Experience in leading large-scale proposals (> $5 million) and coordinating partners.

Responsibilities

• Project management on large-scale proposals and coordinating materials.
• Provide grantsmanship guidance and develop templates for proposals.
• Coordinate with external partners and stakeholders for proposal submissions.
• Organize red team reviews and support faculty in securing external funding.
• Forecasting and strategic planning for proactively responding to funding opportunities.
• Track federal funding opportunities and communicate relevant options to the campus community.

Skills

Grant writing

Proposal development

Team collaboration

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Ph.D. or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Research Development Officer, Division of Research & Innovation

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced ResearchDevelopment Officer, Division of Research & Innovation atits Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university locatedin the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from allbackgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Ourdeep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity,diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educationalopportunities which prepare students for success in a globalsociety.

Position Purpose

The Research Development (RD) Officer will be a member of theResearch Development team in the Division of Research &Innovation (DORI) reporting to the Assistant Vice President forResearch. The Office of Research Development (ORD) empowers WayneState University faculty and researchers to pursue bold,competitive funding opportunities that advance discovery andimpact. Through proposal development support, strategic partnershipbuilding, and faculty recognition initiatives, ORD provides theinfrastructure and expertise researchers need to competesuccessfully for external funding, helping WSU strengthen itsstanding as an urban R1 research institution committed toexcellence and community impact.

Essential Functions

Project management on large-scale proposals: work with faculty andstaff teams to develop well-organized, polished, competitive grantproposals that are responsive to funder requests.

Related activities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing grantsmanship guidance.
• Establishing a timeline for items required for proposalsubmission.
• Drafting templates for proposal and supporting documents.
• Coordinating and collecting required materials from externalpartners and stakeholders.
• Organizing and running red team reviews.
• Facilitating connections to external partners and partnershipmanagement.
• Develop programming and resources for faculty and staff, such astoolkits, workshops, mentoring programs, etc. with the goal ofhelping position teams for success in pursuing external researchfunding.

Work with AVP on forecasting and strategic planning for proactivelyresponding to large-scale funding opportunities.

Track federal funding opportunities and work with theCommunications team to advertise those that are relevant to the WSUcommunity. Work with WSU’s government relations firm on strategicopportunity discovery and matching.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Bachelor’s degree

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Ph.D.or other advanced degree preferred.

Experience : Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+years’ experience).

7+ years' experience in Research Development, proposal development,and/or grant writing in higher education or master’s degree with 5+years' experience in Research Development, proposal development,and/or grant writing in higher education.

Experience in grant proposal development and scholarly writing andediting preferred.

Demonstrated success working with teams to submit large-scaleproposals (>$5 million) preferred.

Training and/or experience in a variety of participatoryfacilitation practices (e.g., Strategic Doing, LiberatingStructures, Ideas Labs, design sprints, or other facilitationmethods and tools) that invite participants to share diverseperspectives/ideas and develop a shared vision preferred.

Significant experience with conduct and/or management of sponsoredresearch, e.g., familiarity with funders and/or funding mechanisms,peer review, federal merit review processes, etc.

Program/project management experience with demonstrated ability to carry out projects to completion.

Experience with administrative aspects of activity and eventplanning.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of federal and non-federal research sponsors’ commonrequirements and anticipated funding goals.

Ability to effectively provide training to others in the form ofworkshops and individual instruction.

Strong initiative and demonstrated ability to work independentlyand in collaborative settings is essential.

Must be able to work in a sensitive and confidential manner withproposals and research data, using independent judgment andprofessionalism.

Commitment to strengthening broader impacts/societalimpacts/community engagement and an understanding of the importanceof these critical factors to the research community.

Ability to collaboratively and professionally work with a widevariety of faculty, staff, and stakeholders with a range ofpersonalities, opinions, perspectives, and approaches to thework.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. or other advanced degree preferred.

School/College/Division

The Division of Research & Innovation

Primary Department

H0905 - VP Research

Employment type

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/Salary Information

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
  
• Annual Salary: To be determined
  

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment.

Job Openings

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements

University policy requires certain persons who are offeredemployment to undergo a background check, including a criminalhistory check, before starting work. If you are offered employment,the university will inform you if a background check isrequired.