Research Development Specialist
Research Development Specialist
- 515334
- Denton, Texas, United States
- Staff
Title: Research Development Specialist
Employee Classification: Program Project Specialist
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Research & Innovation
Sub Division-Department: UNT-Research & Innovation
Department: UNT-DRI - Research Development-190410
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Salary range $47,232 - $56,000. Salary to commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Department Summary
The Research Development unit within the Division of Research & Innovation supports UNT faculty and staff researchers development by providing the training and resources needed to: identify external research funding opportunities, strengthen research proposal development, build interdisciplinary research team collaborations, and implement strategies to increase UNT researchers competitiveness in securing external research award funding. These activities support the Research Development unit's mission of amplifying the reach, visibility, and real-world impact of research at UNT.
Position Overview
The Research Development Specialist provides administrative, logistical, and operational support to the Research Development team within the Division of Research and Innovation at the University of North Texas. Reporting to the Associate Director of Research Development, this position assists with the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Research Development workshops, events, programs, and initiatives that support faculty research activity. The position works collaboratively with Research Development leadership and staff to support established research development programs, maintain organized and accurate information, and ensure the timely execution of assigned duties to support operations of the team.
Responsibilities include supporting event logistics and registration; identifying and disseminating research funding opportunities; coordinating targeted faculty outreach; preparing and distributing departmental communications; maintaining Research Development web content and resources; monitoring shared email inboxes; assisting with faculty research funding inquiries; and maintaining departmental tracking systems for data reporting.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field and one year of related experience or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to support multiple projects, prioritize assignments, and meet established deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence, faculty outreach materials, and funding opportunity announcements.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to research, identify, organize, and communicate funding opportunities relevant to faculty research interests.
- Ability to review and summarize funding announcements, eligibility.
Preferred Qualifications
Work experience in higher education supporting research administration.
Job Duties
- Event and Program Support: Assist with planning and coordinating logistics for Research Development workshops, trainings, events, and programs, including University Research Day. Responsibilities include scheduling, registrations, invitations, speaker arrangements, space reservations, catering, materials preparation, attendance tracking, participant communications, and day-of and post-event support. Assist with event logistics and administrative activities for University Research Day under the direction of the Associate Director of Research Development.
- Funding Opportunity Identification, Intake & Targeted Outreach: Support faculty funding development efforts by identifying, researching, and disseminating external funding opportunities aligned with faculty research interests and institutional priorities. Assist with conducting funding searches, reviewing sponsor announcements and eligibility requirements, preparing targeted funding opportunity communications, and maintaining faculty research interest and funding opportunity distribution lists. Process faculty funding assistance requests, maintain intake and tracking records, and coordinate referrals to appropriate Research Development personnel. Support proactive outreach efforts to connect faculty, departments, and research groups with relevant funding opportunities.
- Research Development Communications, Scheduling & Web Support: Assist with maintaining Research Development communications and outreach calendars, including Research Radar, all Principal Investigator (PI) reminders, targeted faculty outreach, Proposal Manager communications, and Associate Dean for Research communications. Prepare, schedule, and distribute approved communications. Update Research Development web pages, event listings, resources, recordings, and related content to ensure information remains current and accurate.
- Research Development Email Inbox Management & Faculty Intake: Monitor and triage Research Development and Limited Submissions shared email inboxes. Respond to routine faculty and staff inquiries, provide general information about Research Development services, and refer program-specific questions to appropriate team members. Assist with Microsoft Forms, event registrations, collaboration intake, funding requests, and maintenance of departmental distribution lists.
- Data Reporting & Systems Support: Assist with maintaining departmental tracking systems, spreadsheets, databases, and reporting documentation. Support data collection, entry, verification, and reporting for Research Development activities, including faculty consultations, grantsmanship programs, workshops, events, and funding requests. Provide administrative assistance with internal competition systems, including InfoReady, and related records under the direction of the Research Development Coordinator.
- Training Resources & Documentation Support: Assist with updating and maintaining Research Development resources, toolkits, templates, standard operating procedures, and shared documentation. Support the organization and maintenance of Microsoft Teams channels, shared files, and internal reference materials to ensure consistency and accessibility.
- Other Duties as Assigned: Perform additional administrative and operational duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Research Development, including scheduling, purchasing requests, documentation preparation, and special project support.
Physical Requirements
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
- No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Some extended hours as needed for event coverage
Driving University Vehicle
No
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.