Research Development Associate - A&S - Weidenbaum Center

Position Summary
The Research Development Associate for the Weidenbaum Center will independently coach research teams, under the supervision of the Director of the Weidenbaum Center, in areas that have potential to scale to major Center-level initiatives, primarily in the departments of Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. Activities will be wide-ranging from facilitating brainstorming and development of ideas, building teams and facilitating team activities, identify funding opportunities, strategic planning, and increasing the competitiveness of grant proposals through scientific editing and proposal management services. Cover letter and resume are required.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Consulting and supporting faculty teams in the development of complex research proposals, especially those that cross-schools and campuses. This includes proposal management services, scientific editing services, identifying additional collaborators, graphical editing, and facilitating communication across disciplines/project areas, facilitating red team reviews, and being a liaison between research teams, administrative units, University leadership, and other university offices contributing to proposal content.
• As a member serving the Weidenbaum Center, helping faculty in Economics, Political Science, and Sociology develop grant proposals (federal and foundation) in a variety of divisions, including interdisciplinary research proposals.
• Identify, establish, and facilitate collaborative research teams in high priority cross-disciplinary research areas. This includes organizing and facilitating team events, drafting white papers, constructing roadmaps, strategic planning, brainstorming, and working with teams to address challenges to expanding research activities in that area.
• Work with RDO colleagues to anticipate, identify, and disseminate federal funding opportunities to Washington University research enterprise.
• Coach individual faculty, postdocs, and students on writing grant applications for federal sponsors, including line-editing and spearheading meetings with PIs.
• Organize and host grant writing and information events on federal agencies and programs.
• Analyze data, create tables and reports, review trends, and make data-driven recommendations that contribute to proposal writing, strategic planning for research areas and schools, outreach to federal sponsors and partners, and competitive intelligence for upcoming funding opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, or scientific and technical writing.
• Experience with managing, developing, scientific writing and editing, and reviewing of multi-investigator or multi-institution grant applications.
• Experience with federal grants websites and award databases.
• Experience managing large scientific teams.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills; ability to write precise, well organized documents.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple requirements.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Ability to work under deadline pressure.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five years of experience developing or writing proposals to or for federal, state, or private agencies or five years of experience writing scientific research proposals, articles and technical reports for similar audiences, or an equivalent combination of experience. 

Grade
G12

Salary Range
$57,300.00 - $97,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected]  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.