Assistant Director of Research Development and Management

Assistant Director of Research Development and Management Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

This position will be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement but will require three days per week in the office on campus in Urbana-Champaign.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development and health care. Faculty, staff and students share their knowledge, expertise and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.

The Assistant Director of Research Development and Management contributes to the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) research program strategy as well as overseeing all phases of the research grant lifecycle. The ideal candidate will work with the iSEE leadership team to grow sustainability research initiatives by assisting with grant proposal development and fostering collaborations to create multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator teams to bring new sustainability funding to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Research Development & Proposal Support:
  • Coordinate with the iSEE Associate Director for Research to shape the institute's research portfolio strategy.
  • Identify strategic funding and research opportunities and match these to researchers in iSEE and affiliated faculty.
  • Steer the development and coordination of interdisciplinary proposals with faculty teams, through creating timelines, supporting administrative documents, and providing feedback to strengthen research narratives for grant proposals.
  • Coordinate interaction with the members of the iSEE business office, academic units, other institutes and offices involved in proposal submissions to ensure timely and well-executed iSEE-led proposals.
  • Develop iSEE-supported seed proposal calls and organize review teams for submitted proposals.
  • Organize and facilitate interdisciplinary team building workshops and networking among scholars on campus.
• Research Management:
  • Review grant financial reports to identify risks associated with burn rate, cost share, and impending grant end dates.
  • Serve as a liaison to SPA for postaward questions. Independently interpret and apply sponsor and University policies. Take action to troubleshoot problems, recommend process improvements, and ensure proactive compliance.
  • Prepare audit documentation and assist as a point of contact during internal and external audit processes. Respond to audit findings and follow up on required actions in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Establish Collaborative Relationships Across Campus & Beyond:
  • Curate and manage iSEE affiliated faculty lists and researcher listservs.
  • Actively participate in the Illinois Research Development community of practice and stay up to date with university-wide research facilities and resources.
  • Keep current on research funding outlook by following updates from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, government agencies, and foundations and disseminating them within iSEE and to affiliated faculty.

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, or social science field.
• Minimum of four years' direct experience with research development and engagement with research teams.
• Experience with research proposal writing, securing and managing research grants from federal agencies such as the NSF, USDA, DOE, etc.

• PhD or terminal degree in science, engineering, or social science.
• Extensive experience in identifying, writing, and managing complex proposal development for large collaborative interdisciplinary research and scientific initiatives (>$1 million).
• Experience interacting with foundations and corporations.
• Experience in developing new initiatives for…