Assistant and Associate Director for Research Development - Prairie Research Institute

Prairie Research Institute

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

Why Work at the Prairie Research Institute?

Highlights of Employee Benefits

Appointment Information

PRI is hiring an Assistant and Associate Director for Research Development.

The Assistant Director of Research Development will serve as a member of PRI’s leadership team, support the Executive Director, Associate Director for Research, and Survey Directors in increasing PRI’s research portfolio by conducting research and facilitating the development of inter-disciplinary research, scholarship, and communication of opportunities, initiatives, and outcomes. Engage as a technical expert in research compliance or protocol review with input on research method and practices by identifying, expanding, and supporting new research initiatives involving institute investigators, campus faculty and external stakeholders; coordinate new, multi-disciplinary, multi-investigator proposals; and work to build the research capacity and funding of the Prairie Research Institute. Provide research knowledge and support to programs, systems, and processes supporting research development at the Prairie Research Institute.

The Associate Director for Research Development will serve as an integral member of the Prairie Research Institute’s leadership and operations team. Coordinate research activities of the Institute by conducting research, planning, developing, supporting, and growing cross-cutting research across the Institute. Responsible for increasing PRI’s research capacity by conducting and facilitating inter-disciplinary research among its scientists and across the Scientific Surveys, including identifying funding opportunities, emerging challenges, and potential collaborations; fostering interdisciplinary projects; envisioning and facilitating collaboration between PRI scientists and other academic departments and institutes on campus; envisioning and facilitating the development of infrastructure for research programs across PRI; developing collaboration between PRI and organizations external to UIUC, and enhancing scholarship.

Assistant Director of Research Development -Duties & Responsibilities

Research –- Research Engagement

• - Engage as a technical research expert in research compliance or protocol review with input on research method and practices.
• -Provide support, collaboration, and insight regarding research opportunities, research integrity, and research knowledge to all PRI researchers.
• -Assist all PRI scientist and research employees on research projects, deliverables, goals, and publications.
• -Co-lead and lead research teams, lead internal research advisory teams, lead crisis response teams that are requested and required by the State of Illinois and other agencies, and provide research knowledge to the Executive Director.
• -Analyze sponsored profiles, funding opportunities, and funding program histories to assess PRI’s place in the competitive landscape.
• -Identify potential funding sources and strategic funding opportunities for the Scientific Surveys and connect researchers with these opportunities.
• -Collaborate with investigators in catalyzing new research programs and opportunities.
• -Identify common and complementary research interests among multi-disciplinary investigators and assemble teams to address research and funding opportunities.
• -Assist with the development of proposal processes, both internally and externally. Collaborate with Survey scientists, University of Illinois faculty, and external colleagues to provide integrated interpretations and applications to existing and new research programs and funding opportunities.
• -Engage and assist in the development of compliant and compelling research proposals as directed by the Associate Director for Research and Executive Director.
• -Organize and support teams of scientists and staff in the preparation of high quality, compelling, competitive proposals for funding, including organizing teams and providing tools and resources where needed.
• -Organize pre-submittal peer review panels to review scientific narratives and analyze feedback.
• -Oversee interactions between PIs and budget teams, research collaborators, and sponsored research administrators to ensure efficient proposal development and submittal processes.
• -Serve as a stand-in for the Associate Director for Research when needed.

Research - Principal Investigator

• -Manage research projects, grant funding, and employees paid on the grants and contracts.
• -Conduct research on projects ensuring deliverables and goals of the projects are met.
• - Lead the preparation of project reports, recommendations, and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as present results of research at scientific meetings.

Research – Methodology

• -Advise on consistent research methodology where appropriate among members of the PRI research teams.
• -Track and analyze grant completion and applicable new research opportunities that match completed research deliverables.
• -Oversee and support collaboration with scientists and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate the preparation of funding agency proposal submissions.
• -Gather data and track research opportunities related to survey specific data, results, and skills.
• -Analyze, align, and strategically match organizational strengths with short-term emphasis and long-term direction of funding agencies.
• -Provide investigators with elements of research planning to help them strategically approach research and funding opportunities.

Research - Education/Outreach

• Utilizing research data, facilitate and support ongoing operations of research development programs and initiatives to foster collaboration and growth.
• - Collaborate with researchers and Stakeholder Engagement personnel to include and deliver DEI responsibilities within grants and implement programs and processes that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.
• - Coordinate with PRI communications team to share and promote research activities and outcomes.

Other

• -Perform other related duties as needed in support of the Associate Director for Research and the Leadership Team at the Prairie Research Institute.

Associate Director of Research Development -Duties & Responsibilities

Research - Research Engagement

• - Provide support, collaboration, and insight regarding research opportunities, research integrity, and research knowledge to all PRI researchers.
• - Lead research teams, lead internal research advisory teams, lead crisis response teams that are requested and required by the State of Illinois and other agencies, and provide research knowledge to the Executive Director.
• -Assist all PRI scientist and research employees on research projects, deliverables, goals, and publications.
• -Develop and maintain PRI’s research vision and situational awareness by proactively scanning PRI’s political climate, economic context and societal needs to identify consequential research challenges that PRI and its surveys should address.
• -Assess and monitor PRI capacities for research, service, and engagement; seek opportunities to activate and support interdisciplinary research, service, and engagement across PRI by fostering team science, promoting research integration, and matching resources to emerging opportunities for PRI.
• -Identify and facilitate opportunities to build research, service, and engagement collaborations with other campus units and external organizations.
• -Coordinate with PRI Leadership to create and implement strategies to build capacity in identified strategic research areas through strategic hiring and other investments.
• -Conceive and implement projects, processes, and actions to advance organizational strategic goals that seek to position PRI as nimble, adaptive and at the vanguard of scientific discovery and analysis delivering positive impact to the state of Illinois and the national and global community.
• -Develop and maintain regular contact with federal funding agencies, state agencies, and foundations to identify emergent research challenges and engage PRI researchers in the development of research proposals and plans to meet those needs, in coordination with Survey Directors.

Research - Principal Investigator

• -Manage research projects, grant funding, and employees paid on the grants and contracts.
• -Conduct research on projects ensuring deliverables and goals of the projects are met.
• -Lead the preparation of project reports, recommendations, and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as present results of research at scientific meetings.

Strategic Initiatives

• -Lead, oversee, and/or coordinate actions impacting strategic research at PRI, and as assigned by the Executive Director.
• -Design and implement programs and activities to support the professional development of PRI scientists, in coordination with the PRI Human Resources leadership.
• -Collaborate with researchers and Stakeholder Engagement personnel to include and deliver DEI responsibilities within grants and implement programs and processes that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.
• -Contribute to PRI advancement and fundraising strategy development and donor engagement, as needed.
• -Coordinate with the PRI leadership team and scientists to improve the connection between science and policy by engaging with public policymakers who must make timely decisions on pressing issues.
• -Coordinate with Executive Leadership and the Office of Governmental Relations to develop strategies and produce/deliver materials for engaging, educating, and informing federal, state, and local decision makers of the Institute’s capacity and expertise to deliver unbiased scientific assessments that inform public policy.
• -Support PRI strategic communication regarding research initiatives, scholarships, and outcomes.

Research Liaison

• -Serve as a liaison between the scientific research staff and the administrative support staff to address issues related to internal operations of the Institute; receive staff feedback and engage PRI leadership in efforts to ensure internal systems are efficient and effective.
• -Serve as a representative and point of contact for PRI to University units, including the Chancellor’s Research Administrators Working Group and the Research Development Council; maintain engagement with University governance by serving on Senate committees and Council for Academic Professionals committees and interfacing with PRI staff who also serve in these capacities, as assigned by the Executive Director.

Other

• - Perform other related duties as needed in support of the Associate Director for Research and the Leadership Team at the Prairie Research Institute.

Assistant Director of Research Development - Requirements: Education: Ph.D in a relevant technical or scientific discipline (science, technology, or engineering). Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience at it relates to this position. Experience: Required: A minimum of five years of relevant experience. Preferred: Direct experience working with research investigators and/or faculty managing large projects in the broad area of sustainability. Demonstrated experience with writing and/or preparing technical white papers, contract/grant proposals, and technical presentations. Demonstrated experience with research dissemination to a variety of audiences. Experience in research development at an institution of higher education. Direct experience with management or supervision in team environments; experience with sponsored program funding. Experience developing and delivering trainings and workshops.

Associate Director of Research Development – Requirements: Education: Ph.D in a relevant technical or scientific discipline (science, technology, or engineering). Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience at it relates to this position. Experience: Required: A minimum of ten years of relevant experience. Preferred: Experience working with Illinois State agencies related to natural and/or cultural resources. Previous relevant experience within a corporate or university setting. Previous experience and success in research business development/proposals with researchers. Demonstrated experience engaging decision makers to advance strategic objectives and translate science into public policy, including knowledge of University governance, state, and federal legislative processes. Experience in research development at an institution of higher education. Direct experience with management or supervision in team environments; experience with sponsored program funding.

Assistant Director of Research Development knowledge Requirements: Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with other scientists, researchers, and staff. Demonstrated the ability for leadership and planning, supervising, and monitoring administrative and research activities and progress. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Demonstrated ability to advance initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace or other professional organizations. Familiarity with research development efforts at peer institutions.

Associate Director of Research Development knowledge Requirements: Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, administrators, faculty, community partners, students, and other university staff. Aptitude for working without close supervision, make decisions independently, accept constructive feedback, prioritize tasks across simultaneous projects, and adapt to changing priorities. Demonstrate strong work ethic and ability to take initiative and follow through. Strong problem-solving skills, with ability to resourcefully obtain information and overcome obstacles with skill and tact. Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, including the use of collaborative technology to facilitate work with geographically distributed stakeholders. Communication skills to address a broad range of stakeholders within and outside of academic environments. Knowledge in database and information technologies. Demonstrated ability to advance initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace or other professional organizations. Familiarity with research development efforts at peer institutions.

Environmental Demands - The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves sitting for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry.

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 6/1/2023. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 12, 2023_. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Megan Weeks, mkweeks@illinois.edu_. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1016075
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu