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Research Development Specialist - Proposal Development and Competitive Intelligence

Appalachian State University
$53,000 - $54,874
remote work
United States, North Carolina, Boone
287 Rivers Street (Show on map)
Nov 21, 2024
Position Summary Information


Classification Title University Program Specialist
Working Title Research Development Specialist - Proposal Development and Competitive Intelligence
Location Boone, NC
Job Category 2
Position Number 0A0221
Department Office of Research and Innovation- 282000
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
License/Certification Required
Essential Job Functions
The Office of Research and Innovation serves as a major advocate for research by assisting faculty in the acquisition of external funding, by providing internal support for research, scholarship, and creative activity, and by insuring a visible profile for university research and scholarly and creative endeavors. Grants Resources & Services ( GRS) is a full service support unit assisting faculty and staff with research development. GRS actively contributes to University's efforts to organize and give strategic direction to the research program in support of the University mission by providing expertise, services and resources to facilitate faculty and staff members' pursuit of external funding for research, outreach and creative endeavors. This overall support includes proposal development and direct consultations with faculty; dissemination of funding opportunities and related information; professional development events related to the development of competitive proposals and research agendas; management of internal grant programs and limited submission competitions; and maintaining and adding content to web pages.
The Research Development Specialist for Proposal Development and Competitive Intelligence will focus on delivering efficient, effective services in the area of proposal development and help to develop competitive and compliant applications for externally sponsored research.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Draft and assist researchers with the preparation of supplemental document sections for grant proposals (e.g. dissemination plans, facilities and other resources, data management plans, mentoring plans, prior awards, and biographical sketches).
  • Assist researchers in articulating the overall vision, connections, unifying themes, etc., that can be applied throughout grant proposal documents as applicable.
  • Develop descriptions of App State research information (facts, activities, programs, facilities, and infrastructure) that may be utilized in specific proposals, in collaboration as relevant with colleagues including ORI staff, University Libraries, IRAP, Center and Institute leadership, etc.
  • Develop and share practical resources on improving aspects of grant writing in general and specific to certain sponsors, programs, and/or sections (e.g., opening pages, use of space, visual elements, section continuity, common mistakes to avoid).
  • Provide detailed proposal editing services focused on compliance with funding agency guidelines.
  • Provide detailed proposal editing services focused on accuracy and readability for highly technical documents under tight deadlines.
  • Coordinate the External Draft Improvement Team (EDIT) internal review process/program
  • Explain complex grant requirements or expectations based on the interpretation of agency documents.
  • Work with colleagues to generate representative graphics or illustrations related to proposal content.
  • Coordinate with faculty and colleagues to meet all established timelines and expectations to ensure timely grant submissions.
  • Collaborate and stay aware of research development efforts within strategic priority institutional groups including institutes, centers, and initiatives across campus. Collaborate on the maintenance of databases and/or reference libraries related to grant funding agencies (ex Pivot-RP) Gather and analyze relevant information about funders, programs, awardees, etc., to develop competitive intelligence reports for use by PI on specific proposals. Identify new funding opportunities through prospect research, locate suitable applicants. Provide support with proposal preparation, and work with investigators and other staff to ensure timely submission of proposals to maximize external research funding.
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders to understand strategic objectives to establish proposal development strategies that will meet current and future research needs.
  • Assist with various projects involving supplemental documents (e.g., large institutional grants, annual/occasional reports) and internal communications (e.g., GRS reports and planning documents).
  • Assist with planning and conducting educational courses, workshops, and events.
  • Assist with website design/updates and the development/management of online resources provided for researchers.
  • Represent GRS and ORI in communication with faculty and stakeholders.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

  • Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
  • Strong customer service orientation to understand and assist a wide range of faculty.
  • Requires a highly organized, enthusiastic and personable individual with strong writing and presentation skills.
  • Requires flexibility.
  • Requires time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize among a large number of diverse responsibilities.
  • Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Must be detail-oriented.
  • Must be able to work collaboratively and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
  • Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills required.
  • Capability to work both independently and as a team member in-person and remotely.
  • Ability to multi-task and respond professionally in challenging situations is essential.
  • Working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Word, Excel) and Google Suite (i.e. Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree and at least one year of related experience or equivalent combination of experience and education.
  • Three to five years of previous grant writing experience.
  • Professional/Technical Writing degree/experience.
  • Graphic design experience (i.e.Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva). Familiarity with federal and private funding sources.
  • Familiarity with diverse research methodologies.
  • A level of research experience sufficient to earn the trust and respect of faculty as a mentor.
  • Knowledge of university research.

Type of Position Permanent Full-Time
Staff/Non-Faculty Staff/Non-Faculty
Appointment Type 1.0
Work Schedule/Hours
The successful candidate may be required to work additional or modified hours to fulfill job responsibilities. Remote work arrangements will be considered. Due to the intense deadline-driven nature of research development, flexibility is essential for successfully transitioning on a regular basis between multiple tasks and shifting priorities throughout the year.
Number of Hours Per Week 40
Number of Months Per Year 12
Mandatory Staff No
Physical Demands of Position
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Overall Competency Level Journey
Salary Grade Equivalency GN11
Salary Range
Anticipated Hiring Range $53,000 - $54,874
Required Functional Competencies to Successfully Perform Job Duties.
Communication & Marketing:

  • Develop descriptions of App State research information (facts, activities, programs, facilities, and infrastructure) that may be utilized in specific proposals, in collaboration as relevant with colleagues including ORI staff, University Libraries, IRAP, Center and Institute leadership, etc.
  • Provide detailed proposal editing services focused on compliance with funding agency guidelines.
  • Provide detailed proposal editing services focused on accuracy and readability for highly technical documents under tight deadlines.
  • Develop and share practical resources on improving aspects of grant writing in general and specific to certain sponsors, programs, and/or sections (e.g., opening pages, use of space, visual elements, section continuity, common mistakes to avoid).
  • Assist with various projects involving supplemental documents (e.g., large institutional grants, annual/occasional reports) and internal communications (e.g., GRS reports and planning documents).
  • Assist with planning and conducting educational courses, workshops, and events.
  • Work with colleagues to generate representative graphics or illustrations related to proposal content.
  • Assist with website design/updates and the development/management of online resources provided for researchers.
  • Represent GRS and ORI in communication with faculty and stakeholders.


Consultancy Skills:

  • Draft and assist researchers with the preparation of supplemental document sections for grant proposals (e.g. dissemination plans, facilities and other resources, data management plans, mentoring plans, prior awards, and biographical sketches).
  • Assist researchers in articulating the overall vision, connections, unifying themes, etc., that can be applied throughout grant proposal documents as applicable.
  • Explain complex grant requirements or expectations based on the interpretation of agency documents.

Information Analysis/Decision Making:

  • Gather and analyze relevant information about funders, programs, awardees, etc., to develop competitive intelligence reports for use by PI on specific proposals.
  • Identify new funding opportunities through prospect research, locate suitable applicants, provide support with proposal preparation, and work with investigators and other staff to ensure timely submission of proposals to maximize external research funding.

Pay will be commensurate with applicant competencies, budget, equity and market considerations.


Posting Details Information


Posting Date 11/21/2024
Closing Date 12/09/2024
Competency Level Statement If no applicants apply who meet the required competencies, then management may consider other applicants at a lower competency level.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University's Job Board:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • List a minimum of three professional references with contact information included


Optional consideration:
  • grant proposal writing sample (examples may include: a grant narrative or section of a grant narrative, figures from grant data, or other related grant proposal material)
Search Chair Name Karen Fletcher
Search Chair Email fletcherkl@appstate.edu
Applicant Pool Preference External (Post on the Web)
Departmental Information


Quick Link https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/48812
Posting Number 201502770P
Applied = 0

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