Reporting to the director of Research & Large Center Development (RLCD), the senior associate supports the crucial Research, Economic Engagement, and Outreach Office (REEO) mission of engaged scholarship by connecting UNH Extension and outreach programs to researchers or teams of researchers to enhance local, regional, and national impact. The senior associate plays a vital role in helping REEO meet its strategic goals of increasing externally funded research and sponsored programs and broadening UNH’s visibility as an engaged research university. The position will develop and implement research development services and programs that support engaged scholarship by improving grant-seeking skills, building partnerships, and supporting the development of competitive, external proposals. UNH is a federal contractor within the meaning of the Executive Order on Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors. This position may require that you be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the future, unless you apply for and receive a religious or medical exemption.
Duties / Responsibilities
Proposal Development
- Work with individuals and teams of researchers/scholars to develop competitive proposals for external funding from federal, state, not-for-profit, and for-profit prospective sponsors.
- Act as a liaison between UNH Extension and the Outreach and Engagement Office to leverage external stakeholder networks and translational science expertise in support of interdisciplinary research proposals.
- Support large, complex proposal development as a member of the research development team.
- Ensure proposals are strategically responsive to the funding agency.
- Facilitate developing strategy and timelines, narrative construction, and effective writing and presentation.
- Provide continuity of service from initial meeting through proposal editing to submission.
- Coordinate institutional commitments for proposals.
Research Development
- Help UNH researchers, extension faculty, and scholars become more successful communicators, grant writers, and advocates for their research/scholarship.
- Develop strategies to improve funding portfolio for priority topics and/or funders.
- Develop and refine curriculum content in selected Research & Large Center Development education/training seminars and workshops.
- Conduct proposal writing and sponsor-specific information sessions/training seminars/workshops for faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and other UNH researchers/scholars to position them to be competitive and strategic in seeking external funding.
Strategic Collaborations
- Partner with UNH offices and programs as appropriate to catalyze new interdisciplinary research initiatives.
- Develop and provide resources and tools to promote collaboration.
- Facilitate collaborations within UNH, across institutions, and with state and industry partners.
Limited Submission and Internal Competitions
- Announce internal (UNH) competitions and advertise availability of limited submission programs.
- Manage the internal review process: select and secure reviewers, prepare materials for reviewers, prepare review panel summaries for applicants, and interpret reviewer comments and recommendations for the applicants.
- Support nomination of chosen nominees.
- Manage student editorial and graphic support interns.
Research & Large Center Development Internship Program
- Advertise open internship positions, interview candidates, hire and supervise RLCD’s student interns.
- Train and mentor interns in proposal review.
- Oversee editing and work iteratively on drafts with new interns.
Minimum Qualifications
- Combination of education and professional experience that reflects successful proposal writing in academia or industry, proposal review and/or experience as a federal agency program officer or rotator.
- Experience in Team Science.
- Broad familiarity with the range of federal sponsors that fund research and scholarship.
- Strong interpersonal skills and understanding of how to write clear, engaging and persuasive text in a variety of styles appropriate to target audiences and/or the broader public, while ensuring adherence to the funding sponsor’s guidelines.
- Knowledge of emerging fields in science and technology.
- Demonstrated vision and creativity in approaching time-sensitive projects.
Additional Qualifications
- Ph.D. or terminal degree.
- Track record developing proposals and/or securing funding from federal agencies (e.g., NIH, USDA, DOE, NSF).
- Ability to work independently, yet also lead and participate as a member of a team.
- Experience developing and presenting educational programs and/or workshops.
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or marital status, genetic information, and political orientation. Application by members of all underrepresented groups is encouraged. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S.
