A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The primary mission of the College of Engineering Research Office is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Engineering research community from insight to impact. To that end, our team is constantly striving to enhance the research enterprise, including maintaining an investigator-focused infrastructure, facilitating and diversifying investigators' avenues for funding, assisting with strategic planning for research topics and opportunities and streamlining research processes.             

The College of Engineering is seeking an Assistant Director, Research Development and Administration.  The individual will serve as a Project Manager for developing, prioritizing and executing project plans for the development of a suite of large research proposals.  Responsibilities include coordinating proposal development resources required, monitoring progress and performance against the proposal development plan, identifying and resolving problems and minimizing delays.  Select, in partnership with the faculty, external contractors to support the proposal development process as needed.  Coordinate with the College of Engineering’s ongoing programs of corporate, foundation and government engagement as appropriate to: build research programs and partnerships; and enhance the quality and competitiveness of research proposal submissions. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in defining, developing and managing project plans for the creation of strategic research proposals led by the College of Engineering (e.g. NSF ERC; NSF STC; DoE EFRC; etc.).
• Develop, coordinate and/or conduct training and development workshops, in partnership with peer offices as appropriate, that enable junior faculty to more effectively pursue early career funding opportunities (e.g. NSF CAREER, DOE/DOD Young Investigator, etc.)
• Act as a high level resource for College and Department Research Administration staff to assist as necessary in proposal preparation and submission, including but not limited to:  basic editing, graphics coordination, proposal and submission management, budget development, and outreach coordination with University and external organizations / institutions.
• Assist in coordinating faculty interaction with institutional program managers to explore and define proposal opportunities.
• Assist to define and manage a calendar of strategic research opportunities to enable advance planning and development of research proposals.
• Work closely with partner offices such as UM Office of Research (UMOR), Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP), the College of Engineering Office of Resource Planning and Management (RPM), and the Vice President for Government Relations Off.

Related Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of College faculty and research interests, capabilities and activities
• Maintain knowledge of current technology and research needs of industry, foundations and government
• Assist with the scheduling of review sessions for proposals as required.
• Assist with development and maintenance of the COE research development website.
• Oversea scheduling and assist with content development of the COE Responsible Conduct of Research Program (RCRS)

• A Bachelor’s degree (preferably in engineering or the sciences)
• A minimum of ten years of work experience
• Considerable experience in business development, sales, marketing and/or research administration
• Expertise in sponsored research contracting
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written skills
• Ability to set priorities and effectively manage a team
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Flexibility to meet changing priorities
• Fluency with computer software (spreadsheet, word processing, PowerPoint)

• Experience with federal government business development
• Knowledge of University practices and systems
• Experience with the priorities and faculty of the College of Engineering
• Knowledge of the law (especially relating to federal research contracting)
• A Graduate degree (preferably in engineering or the sciences)

Michigan Engineering’s vision is to be the world’s preeminent college of engineering serving the common good. This global outlook, leadership focus and service commitment permeate our culture. Our vision is supported by a mission and values that, together, provide the framework for all that we do.  Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/ .

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The Michigan Engineering  component of the University’s comprehensive, five-year, DEI strategic plan—along with updates on our programs and resources dedicated to ensuring a welcoming, fair and inclusive environment—can be found at: http://www.engin.umich.edu/college/about/diversity.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.