University of California – Merced Looking for Research Development Officer 3 at Merced, CA  Full Time

$65,000 – $87,000

Initial applicant review will begin on or around January 16th, 2023. Posting will remain open until filled.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and professional development. With bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

To set the course of UC Merced’s evolution, in 2021 UC Merced will enact its first-ever 10-year strategic plan. This plan will guide how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway toward earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted within each campus unit. UC Merced is expected to engage in sophisticated thinking, planning, and implementation of actions that effectively diversify the professoriate and staff, improve campus climate for all campus constituency groups, and strengthen our equity, diversity, and inclusion infrastructure and capacity.

Under the general supervision of the Director, Office of Research Development (ORD), the Research Development Officer 3 is a professional who puts research development theory into practice with an intermediate level of understanding of the professional field. The Research Development Officer 3 will have a direct working relationship with assigned faculty in their pursuit of research funding. Specifically, the RDO3 assists in identifying proposal opportunities, determining the fit between the opportunity and the proposed research, and supports faculty in the development of proposals of moderate to high-level scope where analysis of data requires an expert understanding of agency regulations. Assists faculty in the preparation of non-technical portions of research proposals in compliance with institutional and research sponsor policies. The RDO 3 fully analyzes problems, gathers data and information, and recommends solutions. The RDO 3 interacts with a variety of campus and system-wide offices to facilitate the development of faculty research proposals. The position requires an ability to analyze, interpret and implement University and extramural funding agency policies and procedures. Must possess a learning orientation to changing technology impacting business processes. Advanced computer and related software skills. e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, data query, internet, and research administration software packages. This position is responsible for curating limited submission (LS) opportunities for the campus, identifying best practices for streamlining the LS process, maintaining boilerplate templates, and facilitating special projects/webinars on RD-relevant topics.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet with Principal Investigators to analyze and interpret extramural research funding opportunities and makes recommendations for strategies for proposal development and improvement to ensure competitiveness and fit with sponsor requirements. Reviews Solicitations to ensure appropriate proposal preparation and to suggest appropriate opportunities to faculty. Maintains familiarity with Sponsor trends to be able to assist Principal Investigators in identifying appropriate research funding sources aligned with PI goals. Develops intermediate-level knowledge of applicable federal, state, local, sponsor, and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines. Participate with PIs and program representatives in calls to determine programmatic fit.

• Independently supports Principal Investigators in proposal development for proposals of moderate scope. Works in teams with Senior RDO and/or Director to support proposal development of complex and very large scope. Creates and prepares narrative development timelines of proposal development activities. Partners with Principal Investigators in proposal narrative development for proposals within the scope of RD activities. Helps with narrative review to ensure alignment with solicitation and merit review criteria. Assists with developmental editing of research and training proposals. Assists PIs in identifying potential collaborators. Works with various formats and shared files (Word/tracking, Google docs, pdf, other).

• Primary lead for identifying all potential ‘limited submission’ opportunities requiring internal competition. Sets up weekly listing and launches competitions using InfoReady software. Works with Director and Senior RDO to set standards for recurring LS notices. Sets up and creates competition templates for other internal competitions and Faculty Success Initiatives fellowships.

• Assist with training sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, as assigned, for faculty on granting and proposal development best practices and on relevant key issues and trends in research development and the funding landscape. Coordinates and/or assists with other activities, surveys, special projects, and reports as requested by the Director of Research Development.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a related area and three years of directly related, progressively responsible experience in a contracts and grants job function, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Advanced degree is preferred but may not substitute for the required years of experience. (Required)

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in a related area. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Requires independent judgment and strong organization and communication skills and superior customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas related to research development and research administration.

• Knowledgeable in applicable federal, state, local, sponsor and institutional regulations, policies, and guidelines.

• Maintain and extend current knowledge with multiple funding sources and sponsor requirements.

• Demonstrated intermediate level understanding of Research Development principles and the merit review process of Federal and non-Federal extramural research and industry sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.

• Proficiency working with computer and information management systems and excellent, demonstrable computer skills in Excel, database programs, internet searches and web-based research administration and research funding software. Demonstrated experience working with InfoReady and PIVOT software preferred.

• Ability to manage significant volume of proposals and multiple tasks concomitantly.

• Ability to work under pressure and to meet internal and external, hard deadlines.

• Ability to facilitate strategic grant-getting practices and proposal development for individual faculty members and groups of investigators.

• Ability to translate technical/scientific concepts into fundable proposal ideas.

• Ability to facilitate trainings in the areas of research development for faculty as institutional needs emerge.

• Excellent, demonstrable computer skills in Excel, database programs, internet searches and web-based research administration and research funding software.

Background check and fingerprinting will be required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/

This position is eligible for the UC Merced Employee Referral Program (ERP). If you were referred by a UC Merced employee, please identify that employee by name in your application as follows:

Step 5 of 7 (on the application) Referrals

How did you hear about the job? (select) “other”

Additional information? (select) “other”

Specific Referral Source? (write in) first and last name of referring employee

Referring employee MUST be named on application for eligibility.