Associate Director for Research Development

Updated: 9 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ; School of Engineering and Applied Science Admin

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Bargaining Unit:
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • End Date if Temporary:
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Salary Range: $110,000 to $125,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.


Position Summary

The Associate Director for Research Development will work collaboratively to strengthen Columbia Engineering’s research enterprise through developing and pursuing large-scale funding strategies for complex, cross-disciplinary projects, utilizing an entrepreneurial,  problem-solving approach to explore, launch, and sustain strategic research initiatives with the promise for broad, societal impact. Reporting to the Director for Strategic Research Initiatives, the Associate Director for Research Development is tasked with supporting strategic planning efforts and developing large-scale ($5M+) funding proposal projects that align with Columbia Engineering’s priorities spanning research, talent development, broadening participation, science communications, and knowledge dissemination efforts. With a particular eye toward coordinating and crafting high-quality proposals that expand and enhance the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) interdisciplinary collaboration infrastructures, the Associate Director will enable more – and more competitive – research proposals, particularly for initiative- and center-level, or complex, funding opportunities.


Responsibilities

  • (30%) Overall: Research Development Support

    Under the supervision of the Director for Strategic Research Initiatives, this role will work closely with SEAS administrative leadership, staff leadership, and faculty to identify, develop, and lead large-scale, strategic funding proposals that are multi-departmental and multi-institutional. Provide administrative support and leadership on projects, grant proposals, and other strategic initiatives to establish a communicative and efficient learning community of multidisciplinary scholarship, including convening brainstorming meetings, drafting complex grant proposal content, forging inter- and intra-institutional partnerships, and facilitating annual reviews. Generally,  this role will launch new support programs and services to incentivize SEAS researchers to pursue large-scale funding opportunities and enhance greater University-wide engagement with SEAS research infrastructure.
  • (30%) Editorial Communications

    Will assist faculty in all aspects of proposal writing, editing and preparation. With sound judgment to support and streamline large faculty teams, this role will take responsibility for drafting and editing non-technical proposal material, such as Management Plans, Communications & Outreach Plans, Diversity Plans, Technology Transfer Plans, Education Plans, and Project Management Plans. They will also edit technical and non-technical research proposal content, ensuring exhaustive and rigorous compliance with all RFP requirements. This role will embark on other strategic writing and editing projects as determined by the individual project’s Lead PI and the Director for Strategic Research Initiatives. The  role will develop proposal templates and boilerplate language for SEAS researchers to broadly leverage for future proposals.
  • (20%) Internal Communications

    Working closely with the Director of Strategic Research Initiatives; this role will identify large, multidisciplinary funding opportunities from federal and non-federal sources that capitalize upon the SEAS’ intellectual and programmatic expertise. They will ensure that appropriate faculty and research leadership are aware of the full suite of extramural funding opportunities available to them and will facilitate the flow of information to internal audiences, including faculty, committees, leadership, and staff, ensuring that communications content and protocols are responsive to client expectations. Will develop a culture of appreciation for large resgrant-makingmaking and will lead internal communications strategy, including a bi-weekly newsletter, a complex website, and other integral content development for faculty. Will closely collaborate with the Director of Strategic Research Initiatives, Senior Vice Dean for Research and Academic Programs, and relevant SEAS staff to facilitate grantsmanship training programs.
  • (10%) Develop Programming Targeting Funding-Specific Opportunities Work with the Director of Strategic Initiatives to develop strategies to better align funding opportunities with SEAS faculty research interests and school and university-wide strategic priorities. Will launch and manage new programs that engage and incentivize SEAS faculty to pursue large-scale funding opportunities via funder-specific and program-specific research development training opportunities. Liaise with extramural sponsors and program offers, provide strategic planning, communications, and other operational support and guidance to match researchers seeking funding with strategic opportunities.
  • (10%) Special Projects

    Embark upon strategic, unforeseen, and opportunistic special projects that advance the visibility, nimbleness, and funding potential of SEAS’ research community, potentially including partnership formation and stewardship, strategic planning committees, and new program design and launch. Troubleshoot, participate in crisis management, and manage expectations of leadership and external partners. They will serve as an informed, insightful, and confidential sounding board to the Director for Strategic Research Initiatives and Senior Vice Dean for Research and Academic Programs, to test ideas, debate issues, and provide critical feedback. Special projects may require travel.

Minimum Qualifications

  • MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GRADE: 

    Bachelor’s degree, Master’s/PhD preferred.

    At least   four to  six years of experience in fundraising and/or editorial communications, or a comparable combination of a PhD and grant writing experience.

    Prior experience in research proposal development, preferably to federal agency sponsors.

  •  ADDITIONAL POSITION-SPECIFIC MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

    Committed interest to learning more about complex, interdisciplinary research and the associated funding landscape. Though proficiency in technical research methods and concepts is not mandatory, an eagerness to learn and engage is unequivocally is essential for success.

    Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills required

    Outstanding organizational and project management skills.

    High level of discretion and good judgment, ability to take initiative, integrity, trustworthiness, diplomacy, respect, and team collaboration.

    Flexibility, collegiality, and an overall eagerness to move projects forward within a start-up and risk-taking team environment.

    Ability to multitask and respond professionally in challenging situations are essential

    Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as determined by project deadlines and in discussion with the Director of Strategic Research Initiatives.

  •  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

    Advanced degree strongly preferred. This preference can also be met by candidates currently pursuing an advanced degree.

    Eagerness to contribute to the construction of a new Office of Research, and to create processes and administrative structures that endure and sustain. Comfort in an entrepreneurial, risk-taking, and “start-up” environment without immediately defined roles and boundaries.


Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.



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