Research Development Specialist (RDS) or Senior RDS (proposals, strategy, grant writing/editing)

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University is seeking a Research Development Specialist (or Senior Specialist) to support faculty across the university, focusing on large, collaborative proposals in climate and sustainability research. This fixed-term appointment spans three years, with potential renewal based on funding and program needs.

Under the Sr. Director of Research Development, you will provide grantsmanship advice, writing and editing support, and project management, advancing proposals from concept through

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degree may be required for some programs.
• Strong grantsmanship, proposal development, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage research programs by conducting outreach and allocating resources.
• Identify opportunities for new research and partnerships.
• Write and edit complex content for proposals and grants.
• Coach and mentor program staff and support stakeholder engagement.
• Teach and assist in courses and develop curriculum.

Skills

Grantsmanship

Proposal writing

Editing

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree (depending on program)

Job description

Work Schedule

Hybrid work arrangement with at least 2 days per week on-site.

Budgeted Salary

Specialist: $120,000-$135,000 Senior Specialist: $130,000-$155,000

School/Unit Description

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) was founded in 2021 and is a central research development office, housed within the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) and led by the Sr. Director of Research Development. VPDoR provides guidance and support to facilitate, nurture, and safeguard a thriving research ecosystem. Within this framework, RDO partners with Stanford faculty to strengthen the competitiveness of research proposals by cultivating project‑opportunity alignment, supporting early preparation, and providing proposal development support. With a focus on the concept/narrative side of the proposal, RDO complements other pre‑award services, such as budget development by local research administration support and compliance review and submission by the Office of Sponsored Research. RDO supports research teams from across the University, with an emphasis on proposals that are new to the principal investigator (e.g, early career, or first time applying to a given sponsor) as well as collaborative, multi‑disciplinary, complex, or strategic proposals. The RDO team is a group of 6 dynamic professionals with varied professional backgrounds. We aim to sustain a culture of integrity and operational excellence. We operate on the basis of accountability, collaboration, empowerment, equity and inclusion, growth and adaptability, and open communication.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please read on!

This position will serve faculty across the university, with an emphasis on those from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, launched in 2022 as the university’s first new school in 75 years. The school brings together research and education across the natural, engineering, and social sciences to advance knowledge, solutions, and impact and to create a thriving, enduring future for humanity and the planet.

Position Summary

We are hiring one (1), full time (100% FTE) Research Development Specialist or Senior Specialist, depending on experience. This position will support faculty from across the University, with a focus on large, collaborative research proposals, as well as proposals that are new to the Principal Investigators (PIs) (e.g., early career, new sponsor) in the STEM fields (including social sciences), with a particular emphasis on proposals related to climate and sustainability research. This is a fixed term position for three (3) years. Although not guaranteed, there will be potential for an extension/renewal following the initial 3 years contingent upon additional funding commitments and/or programmatic needs. Under the general direction of the Sr. Director of Research Development, you will have a crucial role in creating research development (RD) activities and resources at Stanford. You will support PIs and proposal teams in the development of responsive and competitive proposals for funding through grantsmanship, consultations, and project management. You will also have a central role in facilitating early preparation, fostering of multi‑disciplinary connections, and team formation for strategic opportunities. This may include workshops, networking events, funding opportunity dissemination, written guides and resources, and more. This position is a unique blend of a central office position with a topical emphasis area in which to build deeper content knowledge and closer relationships. As such, the RD Specialist will work closely with faculty and other proposal support staff at Stanford – in particular with those in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability – and at collaborating institutions, as well as with colleagues within RDO and VPDoR. This position thrives through a skilled approach, a collaborative spirit, a solution-oriented attitude, and a willingness to go the extra mile.

As Research Development Specialist you will

• Provide individualized grantsmanship advice, writing and editing support, and project management assistance and expertise to faculty and proposal teams from across the University, with emphasis on those in climate and sustainability research. In consultation with the Sr. Director, provide the level and type(s) of support that best meet the needs of the proposal team and maximize RDO’s impact:


• Analyze sponsor guidelines and past awards to advise the PI on sponsor expectations and help guide responsive concept development,


• In consultation with the PI and in collaboration with the research administrator, help manage the entire proposal process, from concept development through proposal submission, including management of meetings, task assignments, timelines, document sharing, and version control,


• Advise on and draft specific (non-science) sections, such as management or broader impacts plans and attachments, and/or


• Review, edit, format, and proofread any or all proposal components.


• Identify, create, and implement new or improved proposal resources for faculty PIs, including RDO webpages; tools, tips, templates, and other written resources; newsletters; and/or presentations and workshops.


• Teach and/or support workshops and programs to support grant writers. Example topics may include the Science of Team Science, Research Centers, Introduction to a Sponsor (e.g., NSF, DOE) or Program, Grant Writing Skills, etc.


• Disseminate funding opportunities in a targeted manner, as appropriate.


• Under guidance of the Sr. Director, contribute to RDO’s stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, collaborations, and communications to the University community.


• Be an active RDO team member: share experiences, knowledge, and best practices, and collaborate on projects as appropriate.

As Senior Research Development Specialist you will

• Have the necessary experience to immediately be able to take on the tasks outlined in the Specialist position with a high level of autonomy, efficiency and effectiveness, and


• Bring novel knowledge and insights to the RDO team, such as experience working as a program officer at a granting agency, expert facilitation experience, policy insights, and/or institutional knowledge to strengthen strategic intelligence and advance planning of funding strategies.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in science or engineering or a related field and/or 5+ years of relevant experience preferred


• Demonstrated expertise in proposal development and/or proposal evaluation for various federal and non-federal funders (e.g., NSF, DOE, NASA, CEC, Simons Foundation, etc.)


• Demonstrated expertise in grant writing and/or review (e.g., correct, clear, concise, and compelling writing and attention to funder and opportunity priorities)


• Demonstrated experience with preparing PIs and proposal teams leading up to an opportunity


• Prior experience working in an academic environment comparable to Stanford with teams, faculty, and staff


• Demonstrated collaborative approach and team spirit

September 21, 2026

Core Duties

• Develop and manage research programs by conducting research activities, including outreach to varied stakeholders within the program, assigning resources and making program improvement recommendations that impact policies and programs.


• Identify, recommend and implement opportunities for new research.


• Source, collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.


• Teach and/or assist in the teaching and administration of courses. Develop curriculum. Develop curriculum-rating survey, detailed feedback on courses and make recommendations for preliminary overview and changes.


• Write and/or edit complex content for proposals, research grants, peer-reviewed publications, and other program activities.


• Contribute to and inform on strategic program/entity planning and related funding and financial sustainability.


• May advise students and/or coach/mentor clients.


• Develop or contribute to outreach strategy related to program communications, development, partnerships, and fundraising/funding.


• Coach and mentor program staff.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required for some programs. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.


• Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.


• Ability to oversee and direct staff.


• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.

Certificates and Licenses Required

For teaching jobs, advanced degree or certification may be required for some programs.