Director of Research Development (Hybrid Opportunity) at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 526760

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Dean - Natural Sciences

Union: PSU

Categories: Research, College of Natural Sciences, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

The Director of Research Development (RD) will work under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation to develop strategic research and engagement opportunities for College of Natural Sciences (CNS) faculty, to assist in the development of highly competitive research proposals, and to manage CNS programs that support research development. The Director will work with the College leadership team to identify and promote strategic research priorities in the college, assist in matching faculty strengths with sponsor priorities, contribute to the development and/or refinement of highly competitive grant proposals to external sponsors, including large-scale, multidisciplinary/multi-institutional and/or training proposals.

Essential Functions

• Develop strategic research funding opportunities from various sources including federal, state and local government channels, and corporations.


• Advise faculty in the design and preparation of complex proposals for external funding of research activities. Collaborate with faculty on the development of competitive research ideas and narratives that result in compelling proposals for grants and contracts.


• Supervise the Manager of CNS Research Support Services (RSS), who leads the RSS team that assists principal investigators in the preparation of proposal submissions. Identify resources to help grant writers prepare proposals.


• Monitor grant development trends and peer and aspirant universities. Apply relevant information to research resource development efforts.


• Manage the CNS Research Review Council review of draft proposals and provide constructive feedback.


• Design new opportunities for faculty to develop grant-seeking and grant-writing skills, including focused topical workshops and grant-writing groups.


• Match engagement and broader impact opportunities related to education, diversity and public outreach with faculty researchers.


• Assist faculty with identifying appropriate methods for evaluations related to measuring the effectiveness of their grant outcomes.


• Stay current with evolving research and knowledge base that contributes to effective research development programming and practices.


• Convene faculty interest groups for large interdisciplinary proposals and provides staffing support, such as matching expertise and facilitating meetings toward the development of large proposals and meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration.


• Assist in the administration of research development programs such as CNS Research Review Council, the CNS Bridge and Seed Fund Program, and the Mahoney Prize. Assess the effectiveness of programs.


• Provide reports of Research Support Services activities and CNS research grant activity to Associate Dean of Research and Innovation.


• Coordinate with the Director of Faculty Development and Programs to provide faculty development programming pertaining to research excellence.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.


• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.


• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Master's degree plus over three (3) years of research development, grant administration or other related experience. A Doctoral degree may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

Basic knowledge of major science/engineering funding agencies and the process of federal funding for research.

Strong leadership skills and experience managing staff.

Technical or scientific writing and/or editing experience.

Excellent interpersonal skills and high degree of professionalism and diplomacy.

Experience in planning or managing scientific research projects.

Ability to participate effectively in professional team efforts and with diverse groups of people.

Ability to work effectively with multiple faculty members to develop high quality proposals.

Ability to work under pressure and with short deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering or Business Administration preferred.


• Experience in facilitating research ideation and planning meetings using methods such as design thinking and innovation development.


• Trained in professional coaching.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.


• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 28

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement (see below). References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan. For this reason, we request that all applicants submit a Contributions to Inclusive Excellence Statement that addresses how you see yourself contributing to our community and campus climate and/or our shared goals of building a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 19 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jun 22 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

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