Research Development Strategist I

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida in Gainesville seeks a Research Development Strategist I to identify funding opportunities and manage seed funding programs. You will work with faculty to develop competitive proposals and provide strategic grant-writing guidance.

The role includes delivering training sessions, fostering cross-department collaboration, and analyzing funding landscapes to maximize UF's research opportunities. Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of related experience required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Identify funding opportunities and align with UF priorities.
• Assist in proposal development and grant writing with faculty.
• Develop training sessions and workshops on grant skills.
• Foster collaboration across departments and external partners.
• Analyze research trends and funding landscapes for strategy.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal and written communication

Independence & teamwork

Relationship building

Microsoft Office

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Research Development Strategist I

Job No: 540959

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support, Grant or Research Administration

Department: 11070000 - RE-STRATEGIC RESEARCH DEVEL

Classification Title: Research Development Strategist I

Classification Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

In addition, required skills required include: the ability to provide excellent customer service; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work independently and with others; ability to foster positive working connections and build effective relationships; experience in the Microsoft Office suite; and being a strong problem solver, seeking win-win answers.

Job Description

Identify Funding Opportunities:

Stay abreast of state, national, and international funding opportunities and priorities across various disciplines. Identify grants, fellowships, and collaborative opportunities that align with UF's research priorities. Manage internal seed grant and limited funding competitions.

Proposal Development and Grant Writing Support:

Work closely with faculty and research teams to develop compelling and competitive research proposals. Provide guidance on drafting proposals that align with funding agency priorities and showcase UF's strengths. Offer expertise in grant strategy and writing, while ensuring proposals meet the highest standards of quality and have a clear competitive advantage. Provide constructive feedback and assist in refining project timelines, responsiveness, narratives, graphics, budgets, and other proposal components.

Training and Workshops:

Develop and deliver training sessions and workshops to enhance the research development skills of faculty and research staff. Invite speakers from various federal and other funding agencies to provide educational sessions. Keep the UF community informed about best practices and strategies for successful grant acquisition.

Team Science:

Foster collaboration across departments, colleges, and external partners. Build and maintain relationships with funding agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders to enhance research opportunities. Build teams by organizing networking events.

Research Trend Analysis:

Conduct analysis of research trends, funding landscapes, and emerging opportunities. Use this information to guide strategic planning and decision-making within UF Research and the university, to maximize competitive positioning for funding success.

Expected Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

In addition, required skills required include: the ability to provide excellent customer service; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work independently and with others; ability to foster positive working connections and build effective relationships; experience in the Microsoft Office suite; and being a strong problem solver, seeking win-win answers.

Preferred

• Ability to search out funding opportunities and apply critical thinking skills to make effective decisions; good project management and organizational skills; basic understanding of research funding mechanism or grant development process; analytical mindset to identify and leverage strategic opportunities; and being proficient with relevant research tools and software.
• Internships or course work related to research development or grants is a plus.

Special Instructions to Applicants

A criminal background check is required.

This is not a remote work position, and it is located on the University of Florida main campus in Gainesville, FL.

Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

The final candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at https://www.naces.org/

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer.

Health Assessment Required:No

Applications Close: 27 August 2026

Our Commitment

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.