at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Associate Director for Research and Professional DevelopmentElectrical and Computer Engineering
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineeringin The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for an Associate Director for Research and Professional Development position. This position is responsible for being the departmental lead for all research and professional development activities, including direction and organization of preparation of large center-based proposals; identifying, developing, integrating, and managing ECE research initiatives; creation and implementation of a mentoring system and professional research development activities for faculty and research staff; leading and stewarding relationships with internal and external collaborators and stakeholders; and coordinating with colleagues in communications, corporate relations, and technology management to grow and enhance the research enterprise of the Department.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Proposal/Research Development
•Initiate and steward large interdisciplinary research project proposals and initiatives based on departmental strategic goals.
•Work with ECE departmental staff, including those engaged in proposal budget preparation as well as College Office of Research staff, to steward smooth and timely preparation and submission of large proposals.
•Understand and identify funding and collaborative opportunities for funded research and independently prioritize and match these to ECE strategic research directions and faculty/researcher interests .
Faculty and Researcher Professional Development
•Independently develop and steward department-wide professional development workflows (for both tenure-stream and specialized faculty) related to proposal writing, opportunities prospecting, single research slide summaries, and overall grantsmanship.
•Independently design and implement tailored development frameworks and workshops that advance faculty and researcher proposal-related knowledge base and skillsets, especially for new hires.
•Manage the departmental mentoring system and develop a regular feedback mechanism with which to assess the effectiveness of individual mentoring; provide input to the Department Head on suggested mentors for each faculty member/researcher.
Collaborative Efforts and Other Duties
•Liaise and coordinate with the Office of Technology Management (OTM) to promote increases in invention disclosures and patent applications emerging from ECE research activities.
•Collaborate with the department's communication staff to advise on research areas and strategic timing/content to enhance visibility of departmental initiatives and activities.
•Collaborate with the department's corporate relations staff to link corporate research interests to faculty/researcher interests.
•Oversee planning, organizing, and hosting of workshops and visits by external research partners and potential partners.
Team Building
•Lead the establishment and stewardship of relationships with other campus researchers, units, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
•Provide leadership and partner with faculty and researchers to initiate, develop, and strengthen interdisciplinary research initiatives and team building.
•Perform additional duties to further the mission of the Department.
Minimum Qualifications:
•Bachelor's degree.
•A minimum of seven years of experience in a research administration environment.
•Demonstrated experience in project management and development of research proposals.
•Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively with other College and campus units.
•Demonstrated experience interacting professionally with federal agencies, corporations, foundations, and other external stakeholders.
•Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in a team environment.
•Demonstrated experience in assessing the professional development needs of faculty in the research sphere.
•Strong listening, collaboration, and teamwork skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Master's or Doctoral degree.
•Ten or more years of experience in a research administration environment.
•Illinois Certified Research Administrator
•Prior experience working with faculty and research teams to develop strategies for pursuing external funding.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
•Excellent written/oral communication, listening, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
•Ability to exercise initiative, confidentiality, discretion, and sound independent judgment.
•Ability to interact effectively and professionally with faculty and researchers as well as external stakeholders.
•Ability to converse effectively regarding technical/scientific topics as related to proposal development and contract execution.
•Excellent detail-oriented and organizational skills to operate effectively in a fast-paced, multifaceted work environment.
•Demonstrated ability to work independently.
•Ability to create and conduct proposal development exercises for faculty and technical research staff.
•Ability to advise principal investigators and research personnel on the creation of compelling, compliant proposals.
•Demonstrated ability to independently write required research proposal sections as part of a team submission.
•Ability to understand engineering and/or scientific research programs, gained through experience and/or training.
•Ability to work collaboratively with staff engaged in technical communications and corporate relations.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
This is a full-time academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $90,000 - $105,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy . Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on March 5, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Kathy Atwood and kbuss@illinois.edu . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .
Requisition ID: 1029435
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
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