Multidisciplinary Proposal Developer

About the Job

The Multidisciplinary Proposal Developer in the University of Minnesota's National Security Research Institute (NSRI) serves as a strategic catalyst for advancing the University's National Security Research Mission. Acting as a trusted partner to faculty, research teams, and institute leadership, this role is integral to securing highly competitive funding that drives innovation and impact. From initial concept through final submission, the Proposal Developer leads the creation of complex, high-quality, multidisciplinary, and multi-investigator proposals.

The position brings technical insight, shapes research narratives, defines scope, and integrates strategic content that strengthens competitiveness. It also manages timelines, orchestrates cross-departmental documentation, and establishes the governance, budgetary, and collaboration frameworks needed to meet sponsor expectations while aligning with NSRI priorities. Working closely with NSRI colleagues; faculty across campuses; and administrative, research, and compliance offices system-wide, the Proposal Developer helps cultivate strong internal and external partnerships, assemble high-performing research teams, and align faculty strengths with emerging national security opportunities.

This position reports to the NSRI Assistant Director of Operations.

• Lead the end-to-end management of complex research proposal development and submission processes, from initial planning through final submission.
• Oversee proposal task coordination across internal teams and external partners, identify deliverables, establish proposal development roadmaps and timelines, coordinate and plan meetings with research teams, and meet proposal submission deadlines.
• Drive team communications throughout proposal development to ensure effective collaboration and timely submissions.
• Analyze solicitations (e.g., BAAs, FOAs, RFPs) to distill sponsor priorities and missions, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, policies, and compliance expectations.
• Provide strategic consultation on proposal development, aligning proposals with program goals and connecting teams to essential institutional expertise and business and industry partners.
• Assist principal investigators with establishing competitive research teams.
• Produce high-quality content for non-technical sections of proposals (e.g., project management, data management, facilities, education and outreach, etc.); provide support for technical sections of proposals as requested.
• Develop strategies to enhance messaging and presentation of facts and data through the addition of graphics, figures, and other visuals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned proposals, ensuring effective coordination among team members and Principal Investigators to deliver high-quality, competitive submissions.
• Conduct final quality control reviews for consistency and accuracy, and with attention to delivering a compelling, clear narrative; coordinate and participate in peer reviews of proposals prior to finalization and submission as needed.
• Assist with or advise on controlled unclassified information (CUI), export control awareness, and security-sensitive content when applicable.
• Develop templates, style guides, toolkits, and examples to enhance proposal quality and efficiency across the institute.

• Maintain working knowledge of national security research priorities, emerging sponsor interests, and funding trends across relevant agencies (e.g., DOE, DoD, DHS, DARPA, HHS/ARPA-H, NASA).
• Collaborate with NSRI leadership to shape and advance the institute's strategic vision; contribute to high-level business planning discussions.
• Help identify new funding opportunities and match faculty expertise with emerging needs.
• Engage with research development professionals, faculty, and other internal and external stakeholders; gather input on emerging trends in the National Security research arena and build networks that strengthen the institution's research capacity and competitiveness.

Other duties as assigned by the NSRI Assistant Director of Operations.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and the National Security Research Institute (NSRI) endorse a "work with flexibility" approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote.

This position was designated to be fully in the office/lab (Profile
1) or partially remote (Profile 2, with work expected to be performed in the office/lab a minimum of 3 days per week). At least initially, the…