Research Development Specialist

Florida Institute of Technology; Melbourne (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Institute of Technology seeks a Research Development Specialist to support faculty in identifying external funding opportunities and pursuing competitive grant proposals. The role provides strategic funding guidance, proposal development support, editorial review, and project coordination across single and multi-investigator submissions.

You will partner with faculty throughout the proposal lifecycle, identifying funding opportunities, strengthening narratives, coordinating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred in related field.
• Experience in research development or sponsored programs.
• Strong writing and editing skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify funding opportunities across federal, state, foundation, and industry sponsors.
• Coordinate proposal development, storytelling, and editorial reviews for individual and multi-investigator submissions.
• Facilitate planning meetings, timelines, and resubmissions; support limited submissions.

Skills

Grant writing

Editing

Proposal review

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or higher preferred

Job description

The Research Development Specialist will support faculty in identifying and pursuing external funding opportunities and developing competitive grant proposals. This position provides strategic funding guidance, proposal development support, editorial review, and project coordination for individual and multi-investigator submissions. The specialist serves as a key partner to faculty throughout the proposal lifecycle, helping investigators identify funding opportunities, strengthen proposal narratives, coordinate interdisciplinary teams, and navigate complex proposal development processes.Key Responsibilities:Funding Opportunity IdentificationConduct proactive searches for federal, state, foundation, and industry funding opportunitiesStay up-to-date on the latest trends in funding opportunities and shifts in federal and non-federal agency prioritiesMatch funding opportunities to faculty expertise and strategic institutional prioritiesProvide targeted funding recommendationsFacilitate interactions with Program OfficersProposal DevelopmentConsult with faculty on proposal strategy and competitivenessReview proposal drafts and provide substantive feedbackAssist with development of project narratives, broader impacts, significance statements, and commercialization sectionsFacilitate proposal planning meetings and timelinesSupport resubmissions based on reviewer feedbackParticipate in review of limited submission proposalsMulti-PI and Large Proposal CoordinationCoordinate multidisciplinary proposal teamsOrganize planning meetings and proposal development schedulesTrack contributions, deadlines, and required documentsFacilitate communication among investigators and administrative officesSupport center-scale, consortium, and institutional proposalsFaculty DevelopmentProvide one-on-one proposal coachingConduct workshops on grantsmanshipDevelop proposal templates, guides, and best practicesAssist new faculty with establishing funding strategiesRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree (Master's degree or higher in a relevant field preferred)Experience in research development, grant writing, sponsored programs, research administration, or related fieldDemonstrated experience identifying funding opportunitiesStrong writing, editing, and proposal review skillsExceptional project management and organizational skillsAbility to work effectively with faculty from diverse disciplinesPreferred QualificationsMinimum three years experience supporting proposals to NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, NASA, or major foundationsFamiliarity with federal sponsor requirementsExperience coordinating interdisciplinary and multi-investigator proposalsCertification from NORDP, NCURA, SRAI, or related organizationsEqual OpportunityFlorida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator at 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, or email [e-mail], or [phone]; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.Americans with Disabilities ActPlease notify us at least five days in advance if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed by calling the Office of Human Resources at 321-674-8100.Annual Security & Fire Safety ReportThe federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities, both public and private, participating in federal student aid programs to disclose campus safety information, and imposes certain basic requirements for handling incidents of sexual violence and emergency situations.Florida Tech’s 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Florida Tech; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.The numbers provided include crime statistics that were reported to local law enforcement agencies, campus security and other Campus Security Authorities.The report also includes institutional policy statements regarding campus safety and security measures; descriptions of prevention and awareness programs; related university procedures and important guidance; and other essential safety information.You can obtain a printed copy of this report at the Department of Security Welcome Center located at 3126 Panther Place, during normal business hours, or by accessing the following web site 2026 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.Official TranscriptsOfficial transcripts of all collegiate work must be sent directly from the attended institution to the Office of Human Resources prior to the first day of employment. All international degrees must have a course-by-course official evaluation and translation sent to the Human Resources Office directly from an evaluation company affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).We are an E-verify employer