Research Development Strategist III

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida seeks a Research Development Strategist III on the Main Campus in Gainesville, FL to advance grant and proposal initiatives across HWCOE. You will coordinate strategic plans, guide multidisciplinary proposals, and identify funding opportunities, working with faculty and leadership to align activities with college priorities.

The role emphasizes collaboration, program planning, and stakeholder engagement to support a robust research portfolio.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and three years of experience in grant and contract administration or an equivalent combination.
• PhD degree in engineering or a related field is preferred.
• Ability to identify and pursue external funding opportunities and apply critical thinking.
• Experience with interdisciplinary research teams and grant development processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing a strategic plan to align collaborative initiatives with HWCOE's goals.
• Support development of large-scale interdisciplinary center and team proposals.
• Guide faculty through proposal development, concept shaping, and sponsor alignment.
• Identify funding opportunities and advise on competitive strategies.
• Support development of research, scholarly, and creative activities aligned with college priorities.
• Assess research capacity with HWCOE leadership and identify growth opportunities.
• Plan and develop research-program activities for HWCOE institutes and centers.
• Identify applicants for high-profile opportunities and target them accordingly.
• Engage stakeholders to gather feedback and respond to inquiries.

Skills

Grant writing

Strategic planning

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Research Development Strategist III

Job No: 541541

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Grant or Research Administration, Engineering

Department: 19010600 - EG-RESEARCH

Job Description

Classification Title

Rsrch Devlopmnt Strategist III

Classification Minimum Requirements

Master's degree and three years of experience in grant and contract administration, grant writing, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Strategic Research Support

• Assist in developing a strategic plan to align collaborative initiatives with HWCOE's research goals
• Support the development of large-scale interdisciplinary center and team proposals
• Provide guidance and support for faculty and research teams throughout the proposal development process, including concept development and sponsor alignment
• Help faculty identify and pursue external and internal funding opportunities by monitoring sponsor announcements, facilitating funding searches, and advising on competitive proposal strategies
• Serve as a strategic resource for faculty scholarship by supporting the development of research, scholarly, and creative activities that align with college priorities
• Collaborate with HWCOE leadership to assess research capacity, identify growth opportunities, and support initiatives that enhance the college's research and scholarship portfolio
• Support HWCOE institutes and centers in planning and developing research-program activities
• Identify potential applicants for high-profile, limited-applications opportunities, and target those opportunities to them
• Engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and act as a point of contact for program-related inquiries and information

Funding Opportunities

• Identify funding opportunities that align with the HWCOE's research priorities and long-term research goals
• Stay abreast of national and international funding opportunities and priorities across the disciplines relevant to HWCOE
• Review and use reports to identify trends in funding opportunities and guide decision-making
• Provide funding-opportunity data and analyses to HWCOE leadership, department chairs, and faculty
• Implement tools to track and assess the success of funding pursuits

Proposal Development and Grant Writing Support

• Provide proposal development support on multidisciplinary proposals
• Coordinate project activities and timelines, and offer guidance on the content, structure, and strategy of grant proposals
• Arrange and manage external consultants and vendor services as needed, including scopes of work and review of vendor invoices
• Offer guidance on the non-technical components of proposals, such as data management, broader impacts, facilities, and budget justification, to reduce the administrative burden on researchers
• Coordinate with UF Research Security and Export Controls on proposals expected to involve export-controlled or ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) work

Training and Workshops

• Develop and maintain an annual plan for ongoing training initiatives
• Design and structure training modules to address specific research-development needs
• Organize and conduct specialized workshops on advanced topics related to research development, and tailor them to the evolving needs of researchers
• Align training programs with the evolving research landscape and HWCOE goals
• Collaborate with other colleges and institutions on joint outreach initiatives
• Organize seminars and speaker series featuring experts in relevant fields
• Incorporate current practices and trends into training programs
• Assess and improve the effectiveness of training and outreach initiatives

Metrics, Analysis and Reports

• Develop key performance indicators for research development activity
• Conduct data analysis, manage databases, and generate reports on research activities, funding, and outcomes to support decision-making
• Track and analyze research and scholarship metrics to inform planning, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts within the college
• Ensure accuracy and timely delivery of reports
• Advise on emerging research and funding trends

Site Visits

• Support and coordinate activities for sponsor and review-panel site visits, including developing timelines and checklists, and facilitating preparation sessions as needed
• Conduct training sessions for researchers and staff on best practices for these visits
• Engage and coordinate with principal investigators, department chairs, and other stakeholders to ensure their preparedness for the visit
• Coordinate with the sponsor and its program officers to address any pre-visit queries and requests, and respond to any post-visit reviewer questions
• Address any unexpected issues that may arise during the visit

Expected Salary

Salary is commensurate based on education and experience

Required Qualifications

Master's degree and three years of experience in grant and contract administration, grant writing, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preferred

PhD degree in engineering or a related field, and experience in grant and contract administration or grant writing, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

In addition to advanced degree, ability to search out funding opportunities and apply critical thinking skills to make effective decisions; good project management and organizational skills; 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.

Experience in research development, grant writing or related areas; experience working with interdisciplinary research teams; project management and organizational skills; and understanding of funding agencies and mechanisms in academia.

Health Assessment Required: No

Applications Close: 14 October 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.