Research Development Associate

About the role

The University of Utah Health Research Office (HSRO) seeks a Research Development Associate (II/III/IV) to coordinate and support a broad portfolio of research development activities across the HSRO Research Program Development Team. The associate will manage a designated strategic research initiative, support honorific award nominations, assist large grant proposals, organize workshops and events, and strengthen operating systems. The role requires strong project coordination, communication, writing, relationship‑building, attention to detail, and an interest in academic research.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate operations of designated strategic research initiatives, including work plans, meeting schedules, deliverables, progress updates, and budget tracking/reporting.
• Identify, compile, and communicate relevant extramural funding opportunities; develop content for a weekly initiative newsletter.
• Plan and execute research community‑building events such as symposia, seminar series, networking sessions, and stakeholder meetings; create announcements, presentations, reports, and other materials for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate development of complex research proposals: organize kickoff sessions, establish timelines and task assignments, maintain document‑control processes, gather required components, and serve as liaison among investigators, pre‑award staff, and collaborating units.
• Edit drafts, write or adapt non‑technical components, collect institutional information and metrics, coordinate internal reviews, and ensure proposals meet sponsor and University requirements.
• Support design and delivery of workshops, professional trainings, and information sessions, handling program content, speakers, agendas, registration, logistics, communications, participant evaluation, and follow‑up.
• Develop and maintain an institutional framework for honorific award nominations, including an awards calendar, candidate pipeline, monthly newsletter, reusable resources, and documented processes; coordinate nomination development, gather materials, manage confidential records, and track outcomes.
• Contribute to other research development activities, attend weekly team meetings, and perform additional administrative assignments as requested.
• Research Development Associate II: Build on foundational duties, identify institutional research priorities, manage strategic initiatives, advise on proposal development, and lead communication strategies.
• Research Development Associate III: Independently implement strategic activities, represent the University to external partners, oversee pre‑submission peer reviews, mentor associates, and provide strategic recommendations.
• Research Development Associate IV: Implement advanced strategies, engage political and corporate leaders, mentor associates, manage multiple strategic initiatives, develop institutional strategic directions, and provide leadership for the University’s research profile.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related experience (Research Development Associate II).
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related experience (Research Development Associate III).
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related experience (Research Development Associate IV).
• One year of higher‑education coursework may be substituted for one year of directly related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects, programs, or initiatives with overlapping timelines and stakeholders.
• Strong writing, editing, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and organizational levels while handling sensitive or confidential information with discretion.
• Experience in a university, academic medical center, health system, or research‑intensive environment.
• Experience with scientific research.
• Familiarity with federal and state funding agencies such as NIH, DoD, ARPA‑H, NSF, and USHE.
• Flexibility and responsiveness in managing changing priorities and time‑sensitive work.

Benefits

University of Utah employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package. Details are available at benefits.utah.edu.

Pay

• Research Development Associate II: $63,775 – $69,269.
• Research Development Associate III: $67,004 – $84,252.
• Research Development Associate IV: $75,024 – $90,000.

Schedule

This is a full‑time, in‑person position. The role may require occasional early‑morning or evening activities associated with workshops and events.

Department

Health Research Administration Office, University of Utah Health Research Office (HSRO), Research Program Development Team.