Research Development & Engagement Specialist (Term), Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is seeking a Research Development & Engagement Specialist who will serve as a strategic partner to RISD’s Assistant Provost for Academic Engagement & grant PI, helping to implement objectives of a multiyear NSF-funded Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative (RIRAC) project in collaboration with four other RI primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). The project will contribute to increasing RISD’s research capacity and strengthening its research competitiveness.
The Specialist will coordinate RIRAC grant and programmatic activities; advise and support RISD faculty in the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation, submission, and management of external grants from federal and private sponsors; and have a strategic role in organizing an inaugural institute for emerging, arts-integrated researchers and research administrators. They will be responsible for the timely execution of programmatic initiatives. This position reports to the Assistant Provost for Academic Engagement.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES (NOT ALL ENCOMPASSING):
- Provide professional research administration services to RISD faculty and staff using RIRAC-aligned strategies to increase sponsored research knowledge and success by emerging researchers
- Develop funding strategies, identify and disseminate funding opportunities, provide individualized consultation with faculty, develop proposal checklists and timelines, consult and advise faculty on developing competitive grant applications, develop budgets that comply with institutional and sponsor guidelines, and obtain institutional approval for submission.
- Support the Assistant Provost/PI in creating an institute for researchers and research administrators whose work involves creative and non-traditional methodologies, interdisciplinarity, and addresses emerging technologies and research trends
- Project administration to include coordinating implementation with RI partner institutions; maintaining a database of RISD and regional research expertise; collecting and managing qualitative and quantitative data derived from the project for reference, analysis, and evaluation; documenting activities and outcomes; assisting in the preparation of data visualizations, presentations, and reports for sharing findings with stakeholders and the public
JOB QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (NOT ALL ENCOMPASSING):
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in grant development
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Experience with grant writing, budgeting, and using electronic grants management systems and government portals, e.g., research.gov and grants.gov
- Experience with project management, strategy development, and planning
- Experience organizing workshops, panels, trainings, or events, including related communications and outreach, tracking and documenting activities, and assessment
- Relevant experience in areas such as arts-based, interdisciplinary, or community-engaged research; working collaboratively and effectively with partners in higher education, in non-profit sectors, and in communities
- Skilled with office technologies, such as Microsoft, Google, and Acrobat applications
- Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- A strategic thinker who is able to organize, multitask, be attentive to detail, provide responsive communication and service, and adjust to changing demands, workflows, and deadlines
PREFERRED:
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution is preferred
Work Schedule:
35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status
2 Year Fixed-Term – Relinquished if funding is frozen/disappears
Full-Time, Exempt
Work Modality
In-Person
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume (Required)
Cover Letter (Strongly Preferred)
Salary Grade Structure