Research Development Officer

24-Sep-2024

Research Development Officer

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

66840BR

Job Summary

The Research Development Officer provides strategic support for identifying and disseminating funding opportunities and the development of grant and fellowship proposals. In coordination with other Research Development team members, this role implements processes, tools, and strategies to enhance faculty support, focusing on increasing proposal submissions and competitiveness for securing sponsored funding.

Position Description

• Funding Opportunity Dissemination: Support efforts to disseminate information about funding opportunities to the FAS research community.
• Prospecting Support: Utilizing knowledge of funding landscape and relevant databases, provide support for matching FAS faculty and program research areas with funders’ interests. Prepare prospecting reports presenting information about highly aligned grant and fellowship programs.
• Proposal Development Support: Work directly with faculty to provide support and advice on proposal submissions, especially for early career and scholar awards.
• Resource Creation/Maintenance: Contribute to the creation/maintenance of proposal development resources, including templates and sample proposal library, expanding the existing library to aid faculty with various components of federal and private funding applications.
• Internal Grant Programs Support: Support the management of internal grant programs, for example, the Dean’s Competitive Fund for Promising Scholarship and the Star-Friedman Challenge for Promising Scientific Research.
• Support for Internal Selection Processes for Limited Submission Opportunities: Support the management of internal selection processes of FAS nominees for limited submission opportunities.
• Communication and Relationship Building: Create/maintain communication tools to increase the utilization of FAS research development services, enhancing targeted marketing efforts. Build relationships with research administrators across FAS, OTD, OSP, UDO, the Provost’s Office, and the School and Divisional Deans’ offices to facilitate information sharing and communication around research funding opportunities.
• Event Planning: Support the delivery of grantsmanship programming for faculty and researchers, including one-on-one sessions, workshops, and seminars.
• Support for Major Projects: Leverage internal and external resources to support the development of inter-departmental and multi-disciplinary proposals, working with FAS Divisional Deans’ Offices and department staff.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in research development or research administration in an academic environment.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Comprehensive knowledge of funding opportunities from government agencies and major foundations that fund academic research.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including an ability to communicate effectively with researchers from a variety of disciplines, staff, senior administrators, and sponsors.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with faculty, administrators, and representatives of external funding bodies.
• Proficiency in research administration software, databases, and other tools used for proposal development and submission.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

This job is part of the FAS Employee Referral Program.  Guidelines, including information on the $2500 referral bonus, are here. 

We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

Hybrid office environment; this position will be based in Cambridge, MA and there is an expectation of some workdays per week on campus.  Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Office of Research Administration (FORA) is beginning an exciting period of transformation and growth.  As we transition to this new brand, we remain committed to providing the same exceptional support and services to our research community.  Formerly FAS Research Administration Services, this change reflects our dedication to enhancing our organizational structure and improving the resources we offer.   We hope you will join us as we continue to foster excellence and support impactful research as FORA.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Finance

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

405007 Financial Professional (N)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Administration and Finance

Salary Grade

056

Department

FAS Office of Research Administration

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

Schedule

M-F 9-5

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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