PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, College of Arts & Sciences, Biology

Established in 1873, Arts and Sciences is Boston University's largest and most academically diverse unit, encompassing over 8,400 undergraduates, 2,000 graduate students, 800 faculty members, and 300 staff across 50 departments, programs, centers, and institutes. Our faculty are award-winning researchers, innovative teachers, and dedicated mentors committed to exploring the complexities of our present and past, uncovering new perspectives, and crafting creative solutions to real-world problems. Our staff are dynamic, mission-driven professionals who foster community, inclusion, and belonging to advance every aspect of the college enterprise.

Our community thrives on collaboration, bold ideas, and interdisciplinary exploration. Join us in supporting the pursuit of knowledge that changes the world and provides boundless opportunities to inspire the next generation of leaders. We offer generous benefits, including health, dental, and life insurance, tuition remission, retirement savings, paid time off, and holiday leave.

Boston University's Department of Biology seeks a Proposal Development Specialist. This position works with Biology faculty, postdoctoral associates, and students to advance the departments research mission by assisting with proposal preparation and submission including all budgets, any ancillary administrative documents, and other pre-award tasks as needed; coordinating multi-investigator grant proposals across BU departments and with other outside institutions; helping investigators to navigate research compliance requirements; identifying new funding opportunities; and working with investigators and the Biology business staff to support post-award functions such as subcontracts, no-cost extensions, carry forward spending, sabbatical and summer salary effort allocations, and award annual and closeout reporting to funding sponsors.

This position is the primary liaison with the BU Office of Sponsored Programs and outside funding sponsors on all matters related to pre-award sponsored research. This position identifies and communicates new funding opportunities applicable at different career stages and across a variety of research interests from federal, foundation, academic, and industry sponsors to faculty, staff and students. 

The ideal candidate is proactive, dependable, and able to communicate clearly in both writing and in person. They should be comfortable working independently while also collaborating with others in a team environment. The role requires handling sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Strong organizational skills are important, including the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple assignments at the same time.

The candidate should be open to learning the guidelines related to grant proposal preparation and research administration and be willing to stay current with changing requirements. The biology department is a large, collaborative, and fast-paced environment that values teamwork, diversity, and inclusion.

A bachelor's degree and 3 years of related experience is required for this position. A cover letter is required for consideration.

While candidates with a range of experience levels are encouraged to apply, this role is designed as an entry to early-career opportunity with a strong emphasis on training and development. We encourage applications from individuals who are interested in building skills in research administration and grant development and who are eager to learn and grow in a collaborative and supportive environment.