Research Development Associate

Announcement

Details

Open Date 06/02/2026 Requisition Number PRN45231B Job Title Research Development Associate Working Title Research Development Associate Career Progression Track P00 Track Level P4 - Advanced, P3 - Career FLSA Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

This role will will typically be M-F & standard business hours. This position supports and contributes to a wide variety of external grants with different deadlines. Some nights and weekends may be required based on needs of the business. This is a hybrid position with a required 2-3 days in office, on campus. No fully-remote option is available.

VP Area President Department 00639 - VP for Research Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $70,000 - $95,000 Close Date 08/29/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 06/19/2026 Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking an experienced Research Development Associate to support the development of large, complex, interdisciplinary research proposals. This position is part of the Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT) within the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research.

LIFT supports center-scale, multi-investigator, and other large strategic funding opportunities - most commonly federal proposals exceeding $5M. The team partners with faculty to shape, coordinate, and strengthen proposals to maximize competitiveness.

This position is full time, benefited position with a hybrid schedule (approximately two days per week on campus).

About the Role

This role focuses on strategic proposal development and integration. Faculty authors develop the scientific content; this position ensures that proposals are well-framed, coherent, funder-aligned, and executable.

The Research Development Associate will serve as a lead integrator on large-scale proposals, working closely with faculty, proposal team members, and research administration staff to guide proposals from concept through submission.

Core responsibilities include:

• Strategic framing and concept development for large-scale proposals aligned with university priorities
• Narrative integration and substantive editing of multi-author documents
• Proposal architecture and planning, including structuring sections and aligning content to sponsor expectations
• Facilitation of interdisciplinary teams, including guiding key decisions related to scope, positioning, and partnerships

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.

Responsibilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Proposal Development

• Lead early-stage concept development and framing discussions with faculty teams
• Translate complex scientific ideas into clear, funder-aligned positioning
• Identify competitive strengths, gaps, and opportunities relative to sponsor priorities

Narrative Integration & Editing

• Integrate contributions from multiple authors into a cohesive, compelling proposal
• Provide substantive editing focused on clarity, structure, and reviewer perspective
• Ensure alignment with sponsor review criteria and expectations

Proposal Planning & Team Facilitation

• Establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables
• Facilitate meetings to drive progress and decision-making
• Guide teams through key proposal development phases, including red-team reviews

Collaboration & Coordination

• Partner with research administration, pre-award staff, and leadership
• Coordinate interdisciplinary teams and external partners
• Contribute to proposal tools, templates, and best practices

Funding Strategy & Landscape Awareness

• Interpret and identify funding opportunity announcements and sponsor priorities
• Provide strategic guidance on targeting and positioning proposals
• Support development of teams for future center-scale opportunities

What This Role Does NOT Do

• Does not write full scientific proposals on behalf of faculty
• Does not manage submission systems (e.g., Cayuse)
• Does not replace departmental pre-award or budget development functions

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Development Associate, III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Research Development Associate, IV: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

1. Experience supporting large, complex, multi-investigator proposals (center-scale preferred)

2. Ability to interpret funding solicitations and align proposals to sponsor priorities

3. Exceptional writing and editing skills with technical content

4. Experience facilitating interdisciplinary teams

5. Strong organizational skills in deadline-driven environments

6. Ability to provide constructive guidance to senior faculty and stakeholders

7. Willingness to work flexibly to meet proposal deadlines

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate:

• Thinks strategically about how to position research ideas for funding success
• Is comfortable working with senior faculty and guiding complex discussions
• Can balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail
• Excels at synthesizing and integrating information from multiple sources
• Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest level of completed education?

• None

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree

• Doctorate Degree

• • How many years of related work experience do you have?

• Less than 2 years

• 2 years or more, but less than 4 years

• 4 years or more, but less than 6 years

• 6 years or more, but less than 8 years

• 8 years or more, but less than 10 years

• 10 years or more, but less than 12 years

• 12 years or more, but less than 14 years

• 14 years or more

• • Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B status)?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents