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

Work Schedule JOB DESCRIPTION

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

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

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.

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  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…