Research Development & Engagement Specialist

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is seeking a Development & Research Engagement Specialist for a two-year, grant funded term appointment. This position will join RISD's Research office which sustains the school's culture of inquiry by offering a platform for research initiatives, providing opportunities for programming, training, and publication, and encouraging collaboration among students and faculty.

The Development & Research Engagement Specialist will serve as a strategic partner to the Director of RISD's Research office & grant PI helping to implement objectives of a multiyear NSF-funded Rhode Island Research Administration Collaborative (RIRAC) project in a collaboration with four other RI colleges and universities. The project will contribute to increasing RISD's research capacity and strengthening its research competitiveness.

The Specialist will coordinate RIRAC grant and programmatic activities; advise and support RISD faculty in the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation, submission, and management of external grants from federal and private sponsors; and have a strategic role in organizing an inaugural institute for emerging, arts-integrated researchers and research administrators. They will be responsible for the timely execution of programmatic initiatives. This position reports to the Director, Research.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions

Provide professional research administration services to RISD faculty and staff using RIRAC aligned strategies to increase sponsored research knowledge and success by emerging researchers. Develop funding strategies, identify and disseminate funding opportunities, provide individualized consultation with faculty, develop proposal checklists and timelines, consult and advise faculty on developing competitive grant applications, develop budgets that comply with institutional and sponsor guidelines, and obtain institutional approval for submission. Hold grant orientations, problem solve project implementation issues and ensure reporting. Assist in the administration of internal grant programs and limited competition funding opportunities. Track and maintain documentation of multiple projects.

Collaborate with the Director/PI in creating an institute for researchers and research administrators whose work involves creative and non-traditional methodologies, interdisciplinarity, and addresses emerging technologies and research trends. The Specialist will outreach to and recruit presenters and participants from across academia, nonprofits, communities, industry, and other sectors. They will provide strategic input in determining the institute's annual theme and programming. The goal of the institute will be to inform about issues and best practices; generate regional, national, cross-sector, intra-institutional, and trans-disciplinary connections; foreground art/design/science/technology-based approaches; and offer attendees the knowledge, skills, and resources needed for successfully engaging in sponsored research.

Project administration to include coordinating implementation with RI partner institutions; maintaining a database of RISD and regional research expertise; collecting and managing qualitative and quantitative data derived by the project for reference, analysis, and evaluation; documenting activities and outcomes; assisting in the preparation of data visualizations, presentations, and reports for sharing findings with stakeholders and the public. Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in grant development or related experience.

Experience with grant writing, budgeting, and using electronic grants management systems and online government portals, e.g., research.gov and grants.gov.

Experience with project management, strategy development, and planning.

Experience organizing workshops, panels, training sessions, or events, including related communications and outreach, tracking and documenting activities, and assessment.

Relevant experience working collaboratively and effectively in areas such as arts-based, interdisciplinary, or community-engaged research; higher education; non-profit organizations; and/or in communities.

Skilled with office technologies, such as Microsoft, Google, and Acrobat applications.

Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree from an accredited institution.

Union

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status

2 Year Fixed-Term *Contingent upon disbursed funding. Relinquished if funding is frozen/disappears

Full-Time, Exempt

Grade

535EX

Work Modality

Hybrid Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Strongly Preferred)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

For internal use only - Job Family:

Research - Global - Practice