Proposal Development Specialist

Proposal Development Specialist

Office of Research / University Research Centers

Research & Economic Development

Georgia State University

Georgia State University has been one of the fastest growing research universities in the nation over the past decade. The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED) at Georgia State University is dedicated to supporting research and instructional laboratories, animal facilities, Sponsored Programs and environmental programs to ensure regulatory compliance, guidance, and best practices for the health and safety of our campuses and surrounding community. We strive to create an environment that fosters excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

Research & Economic Development is seeking (1) dedicated and experienced Proposal Development Specialist

WHAT MAKES THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH A GREAT PLACE?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Professional development opportunities and mentorship.
• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting.

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Proposal Development Specialist provides direct, hands-on support to faculty in developing competitive external funding proposals, with a primary focus on proposal strategy, writing support, and submission readiness. Additionally, this position contributes to institutional research growth by supporting internal grant recipients in advancing projects toward external funding.

This role is faculty-facing and execution-oriented, with an emphasis on improving proposal quality and competitiveness rather than administrative processing.

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Proposal Development Specialist the following:

• Faculty Proposal Development

o Work directly with faculty to develop external grant proposals from early concept through submission

o Provide substantive editing and feedback on proposal narratives, including clarity, structure, and alignment with sponsor priorities

o Guide faculty on positioning, framing, and responsiveness to funding opportunity announcement

• Grantsmanship Training

o Provide targeted coaching for early-career investigators and resubmissions

o Create and update resources such as templates, guides, and examples

o Partner with internal stakeholders on targeted grantsmanship training and sponsor-specific resource creation

• Research Funding Pipeline Development

o Support the development of a robust pipeline of projects advancing toward external funding, including internal grant recipients, high-scoring unfunded proposals, and emerging faculty-led ideas

o Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and track upcoming funding opportunities that align with strategic priorities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to solve problems, exercise judgement & make decisions with little assistance from the supervisor.
• Familiarity with tools and databases for managing grant funds regulations.
• Knowledge of federal and sponsor guidelines
• Proficiency in creating and formatting financial templates and proposals.

Minimum Hiring Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years of related experience; or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications

• At least one year of research development experience

• Strong writing and editing skills, especially for technical and academic content.

Salary offers will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications in relation to the Minimum Hiring Standards. Candidates earlier in their careers are typically offered salaries closer to the minimum of the hiring range, while those with more advanced or relevant experience may be considered for compensation at or above the hiring range.