Sr Research Development Officer

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Northeastern University is seeking a Sr. Research Development Officer (SRDO) to lead high-impact, multi-investigator proposals and capacity-building efforts. You will partner with faculty to advance strategic initiatives, cultivate industry ties, and expand interdisciplinary programs across campuses.

The role requires strong writing, relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage complex, time-sensitive projects in a dynamic academic environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a research-related field plus five years in research development or a terminal degree plus three years.
• Extensive knowledge of extramural sponsors and proposal processes, preferably in a university.
• Excellent written and oral communication for diverse technical audiences.
• Experience translating solicitations into fundable proposals and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Increase institutional research competitiveness through capacity building and strategic initiatives.
• Develop partnerships and manage large, complex proposals with interdisciplinary teams.
• Provide leadership and management of diverse research proposals and programming.
• Build relationships with faculty, including early career and non-traditional researchers.
• Collaborate with research support services to expand interdisciplinary programs.

Skills

Proposal development leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Strong writing and editing

Strategic planning

Stakeholder relationship building

Project management

Education

Master’s degree in a research-related field

Doctoral/terminal degree

Job description

About the Opportunity

The Office of Research Development at Northeastern University is situated under the Office of the Sr. Vice Provost for Research and supports Northeastern research, scholarship, creativity and innovation within the Research Division. The office provides specific assistance to all Northeastern faculty and researchers in the development and submission of research proposals and offers professional development opportunities to faculty and researchers. The SRDO will be a critical and valued member of the Northeastern Research Development team, and will work to cultivate a strong research culture and growth in this national R1 research university. This position reports to the Vice Provost for Research Development located at our Boston campus.

Responsibilities

The Sr. Research Development Officer (SRDO) will be responsible for increasing institutional research competitiveness through targeted capacity building, supporting strategic initiatives, developing partnerships and interdisciplinary teams and large complex proposals, and research related professional development and programming. We seek a highly collaborative and versatile colleague with attention to detail, impeccable writing skills and strong facilitation skills. Characteristics of the ideal candidate include curiosity, creativity, and compassion, and someone who thrives in a dynamic environment. The SRDO will provide leadership, strategy development, and management of large/complex research proposals. They will develop deep knowledge of college-based and multidisciplinary research programs and will participate in the expansion of existing programs and the development of new initiatives, working with teams of faculty to develop strategies for successful funding. The SRDO will develop and maintain relationships with researchers, particularly early career, or non-traditional faculty, with a focus on building a sustainable matrix of sponsorship from diverse sources, including collaborative research with industry, and will leverage faculty strengths and internal funding programs to map to key sponsor activities. The SRDO will strengthen the institutional infrastructure for promoting interdisciplinary research and scholarly development across the university, working closely with members of research support services across the network.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a research related field, plus five years of experience in research development with an emphasis on multi-investigator proposal development; or Doctoral/terminal degree, plus three years of experience. Comparable experience, including but not limited to, research administration, research communications, project management or public administration or equivalent experience in areas that have the appropriate transferrable skills will also be considered;
• Extensive knowledge of extramural federal and non-federal sponsors supporting research and education activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Knowledge of federal agency proposal and award processes is desired.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities with particular emphasis on ability to understand, interpret, and summarize scientific research initiatives across a variety of subject domains for presentation to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex solicitations and translating technical concepts into a fundable proposal.
• Proven experience in business development, strategic planning, project management and technical writing.
• Ability to assume lead role in project and program management and demonstrated expertise in managing the development of complex documents, together with faculty colleagues.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple complex programs and activities in a timely manner with a high degree of quality, while remaining responsive to varying deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to build consensus and lead teams in order to achieve desired outcomes.
• The successful candidate will be a flexible, creative, scientifically literate professional and team player with ability to add value to the development of faculty-led research proposals and initiatives across a variety of subject domains.

Position Type

Research

Compensation

Grade/Pay Type: 111S
Expected Hiring Range: $87,785.00 - $123,998.75
With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—including 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.