Research Development Specialist

The Research Development Specialist for the Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) facilitates and administers sponsored research proposal development and submission on behalf of IPSR Research Centers, faculty affiliates, and graduate students and works in collaboration with the Research Development Officer. IPSR sponsored research includes a complex and diverse portfolio of collaborative, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional social science and policy-relevant research. The Research Development Specialist assists faculty and research staff in the process of seeking sponsored project funds for their research initiatives. The Research Development Specialist is the primary liaison between the researcher and the KU Center for Research during the development and award/contract negotiation stages. The Research Development Specialist must be able to work in a deadline-driven environment and be able to prioritize and balance competing demands.

60% - Sponsored Research Proposal Development:
The research development specialist plays a major role for individual and interdisciplinary research team proposals. They serve as the primary liaison between Pre-Award and the investigator/team and provides direct support for proposal preparation to the investigator/team. The Research Development Specialist (RDS) conducts funding searches and communicates funding opportunities based on specific investigator/team criteria. The RDS facilitates collaborations across disciplines and supports researchers/teams in developing long-term funding plan/strategy based on investigators/team's research agenda and career goals. The RDS provides guidance to investigators/teams on strategic approaches to funding calls based on analysis of funding call and agency priorities. The RDS develops project management plans for investigators/teams to meet proposal deadlines and advises investigators/teams on university/agency submission requirements including issues of compliance. They provide technical editing and reviews of written materials including editing for format, page length, and coherence. They develop proposal materials related to standard elements such as management plans, educational outreach, technology transfer, and data management. They work with investigators/teams to develop comprehensive budgets that support the research needs based on the research plans and sponsor guidelines. The RDS reviews and negotiates agreements and subcontracts. They develop and present information on the proposal and funding lifecycle at investigator events such as trainings, presentations, and other activities on a variety of research-related topics.

25% - Research Planning, Strategy, & Networking:
The RDS works directly with the investigator to understand their individual research goals and priorities in order to provide individual recommendations for funding opportunities, research portfolio development, and research career planning. They stay current on agency funding priorities and initiatives as they relate to IPSR Research Center and faculty affiliate research interests. Their interaction with multiple faculty affiliates facilitates collaborations across disciplines. The RDS provides education on the external funding process. They work with investigators to identify potential funding sources and conduct searches for sources of project funding as well as disseminating funding opportunity information. Beginning with the discussion phase of project development, the RDS provides recommendations on structure and overall project strategy in order to ensure the best opportunity for proposal and project success. Based on individual investigator needs and stage of development, the RDS makes recommendations for expertise and resources such as data management, methodologies, and research computing, and connects researchers with internal and external resources to fill the needs and enhance the proposal. They coordinate KU and external faculty reviews as appropriate. Throughout the research development process, the RDS responds to the investigator needs on an individual basis.

10% - Grant Management & Reporting:
Upon award, the RDS transitions project to IPSR post-award by providing relevant project information including budget details. They provide ongoing support to principal investigators for annual renewals and project status updates as required by sponsoring agencies. The RDS serves as liaison for initial sub-award contracts as appropriate. The RDS maintains proposal/project electronic and paper files for the life of the project. Reviews agreements and subcontracts.

5% - Outreach & Other Duties:
The RDS represents IPSR to social science faculty, researchers, and other collaborators across campus in order to share information about the Institute and its research administration capacity and expertise. The RDS assists with the design and planning of research development workshops, events, or other initiatives that support sponsored research development at KU. They perform administrative and other duties as assigned.

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
• Resume.
• List of three (3) professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Friday, October 10th. For consideration, please apply no later than Thursday, October 9th.

Jena Gunter, kujena@ku.edu

$63,670.00

Friday October 10, 2025

Saturday November 1, 2025