Research Development Program Manager

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) has a tripartite mission of education, research, and clinical care. In this unique academic community—the largest unit in the University—the BSD delivers undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postgraduate education in the biological sciences together with outstanding patient care and world-renowned research. The BSD currently includes approximately 160 faculty in the basic science departments, over 1200 faculty in clinical departments, and 2,400 staff members. The BSD encompasses the Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM), approximately 24 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes. The division is responsible for educating and training more than 1,200 undergraduate students per year and 800 graduate and medical students. The 17 doctoral training programs in biological sciences focus on Darwinian sciences, molecular biosciences, neurosciences, biomedical sciences, public health sciences, radiation physics, and the MD/PhD interdisciplinary scientist training program.

The Research Deans (Vice Dean for Basic Science, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, and Associate Dean for Basic Science) within the BSD Dean’s Office oversee all basic and clinical research programs, coordinating and integrating basic, clinical, translational, and community research across the division. They build strategic programs, integrate basic research and graduate education missions, and support early-stage investigators. In this capacity, the Research Deans oversee resources such as research space and core facilities, manage the limited opportunity grant review process, and lead the Research Development Team. They convene meetings with Basic Science Chairs, Institute/Center Directors, and other key research leaders, providing evaluations of all research faculty candidates and supporting diverse research-related initiatives.

About the Role

The Research Development Program Manager provides operational leadership for the BSD Research Development Team (RDT), driving initiatives that expand the division's capacity to secure external research funding. Core responsibilities include overseeing complex proposal development, supervising Research Development Specialists, and building programs, resources, and processes that position BSD researchers for competitive success. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Basic Science, this role serves as a strategic partner to faculty and divisional leadership—advancing institutional research priorities and cultivating a culture of collaboration and scientific excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of RDT initiatives that support BSD strategic priorities, including complex proposal development, strategic investigator support, and institutional research initiatives.
• Develop the RDT by evaluating service models, implementing new operational approaches, identifying opportunities to expand institutional impact, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage the Division's portfolio of complex and high-impact funding opportunities by prioritizing projects, allocating Research Development resources, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Research Development Specialists while fostering professional development, establishing consistent service standards, and promoting effective project management practices.
• Lead development and implementation of standardized proposal management processes, collaborative workflows, templates, timelines, and project management systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and proposal quality.
• Leverage advanced expertise in pre-award research administration, sponsor policies, and institutional processes to guide proposal strategy, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate successful submission of complex funding applications.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of the full sponsored research lifecycle—from proposal development through award management and closeout—to anticipate downstream administrative and operational considerations that strengthen proposal competitiveness and long-term project success.
• Partner with divisional leadership, department administrators, faculty, and University administrative offices to coordinate research development activities and facilitate successful multidisciplinary and multi-institutional funding initiatives.
• Support the development and delivery of research development programming, educational resources, faculty outreach activities, and investigator support initiatives that increase BSD's long-term research competitiveness.
• Advise faculty and institutional leadership on proposal strategy, funding opportunities, team science initiatives, and proposal readiness to strengthen the Division's external funding portfolio.
• Monitor and evaluate RDT performance through operational metrics, process assessment, post-submission evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify emerging funding trends, strategic research opportunities, and institutional priorities, and translate those into actionable research development activities and services.
• Implement objectives and long-term strategic plans for the department.
• Maintain external partnerships to advance strategic priorities and collaborate with internal and external community members and leadership.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Requirements

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 7+ years of work experience in a related discipline.

Qualifications

• PhD in a STEM-related field strongly preferred.
• Experience working with faculty in an academic setting and familiarity with academic values and culture strongly preferred.
• Experience working with NIH program projects or cooperative agreements (e.g., P30, P50, U19, U54), Foundation proposals, as well as ARPA-H, NSF, and other related federal agencies strongly preferred.
• Significant knowledge of the full sponsored award lifecycle—from pre-award administration and proposal development through award management and closeout—strongly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to providing a high level of service.
• High degree of professionalism, diplomacy skills, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to interact with and win the trust and confidence of both faculty and administration.

Benefits

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Pay

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year.