Agency

Department

A Glimpse of the Job

The Research Development Officer directs and facilitates research development, coordination and communication efforts, as well as research capacity building activities for the College of Architecture (COA). Identifies funding sources and solicitations, builds and organizes research teams to target such funding, and synthesizes research concepts to develop competitive proposals. Provides tailored support for collaborative research and grant development efforts led by research centers/institutes as well as individuals and teams of investigators from the College of Architecture.

The Research Development Officer will work under the direction of the Associate Dean for Research (ADR); provide advice and support to individuals and teams of investigators in the College of Architecture on internal and external funding opportunities; identify funding opportunities aligned with the College’s strategic priorities; facilitate collaborative grant development; support activities that include reviewing sponsor requirements, criteria, and application process; support proposal narrative development, review, feedback, and editing; and assist with the development and collection of grant submission materials.

The Research Development Officer will also provide support for existing College-level research support programs/activities and identify opportunities for new strategies to further advance faculty and student research in the College; develop and implement research communication and dissemination efforts; develop and maintain research related database, best practices, references, and tools/templates; attend and assist the College’s research-related committees and task forces, including  the Research Council, Council of Principal Investigators, and College Showcase task force. In addition, the Research Development Officer will coordinate with University's Research Development Office to train principal investigators and collaborate on limited submission opportunities; coordinate with the system-level Texas A&M Innovation to advance discovery-to-market efforts; and work with SRS to coordinate submission of proposals.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurate to selected candidate’s skills and experience.

Special Instructions: A cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (to include at least one previous supervisor) are strongly recommended. You may upload all three on the application under CV/Resume or upon answering the questionnaire you may attach the documents.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Three years of experience supporting research and grant development activities leading to securing competitive federal funding; experience in supporting various research types and grants from federal/governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and/or private-sector sponsors; experience in academic writing.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Familiarity with SRS or other TAMU-specific research systems, including Maestro.

• Experience in supporting built environment and/or social science research and interdisciplinary grants in an academic unit in higher education.

A well-qualified candidate will have the following:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Basic knowledge of the built environment and/or scientific research, and relevant funding agencies including public sector federal (e.g., NSF, NIH) and other entities (e.g., foundations, industries).

• Understanding of a broad spectrum of research design, methodology, and scope, including social science, humanities, technologies, pedagogical, creative, and engaged scholarship.

• Oral and written communication skills.

Essential Duties/Tasks

Research Development and Coordination

• Facilitates the development of the College’s research identities and priorities.

• Supports strategic efforts for large collaborative grant development and research activities aligned with the College’s Strategic Plan.

• Supports existing College-level research support programs/activities.

• Supports proposal development efforts, including logistics, compliance with guidelines, checklist and timeline development, proposal narrative review, mock reviews, and collection/organization of submission documents.

• Searches, screens, and disseminates funding opportunities aligned with the interests of COA researchers and strategic priorities.

• Prepares and maintains written boilerplate materials for the agencies, institutes, centers, labs, and departments.

• Coordinates with various on- and off-campus offices and organizations in support of proposal development.

• Supports teambuilding and research collaboration opportunities within the College and with strategic external partners.

• Serves as the primary point of contact for all research-related customer service for PIs and researchers in COA, and as a liaison between each of the research entities on campus and the PIs.

Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building

• Develops and maintains research-related databases, best practices, references, and examples/templates.

• Develops periodic reports, at least annually, utilizing Maestro (or similar systems) to track the research expenditure, award, and proposal data; analyzes and identifies trends; and provides recommendations to the College and its Department.

• Develops and facilitates workshops, learning sessions, and other training opportunities to expand research capacity throughout the College.

• Supports efforts to ensure compliance and oversight of the research institutes, centers, and labs within the College.

• Develops and facilitates workshops, learning sessions, and other training opportunities to expand research capacity throughout the College.

Research Communication and Dissemination

• Develops and implements research communication and dissemination efforts, in collaboration with the College’s MarComm team.

• Works with the MarComm team to promote college research stories and outcomes through multiple channels.

• Regularly notifies researchers and departments of upcoming funding opportunities.

• Disseminates updates about research progress and successful funding efforts.

• Supports research communication with university-level units (e.g., VPR, Faculty Affairs) and external stakeholders (e.g., industry, communities, governments).

• Supports planning and coordination of funding agency on-site and reverse-site visits.

Who We Are

The Texas A&M College of Architecture offers undergraduate and graduate professional programs to prepare individuals to enter the professions of architecture, landscape architecture, construction management, urban and regional planning. The planning, design and construction of the world’s buildings, cities and landscapes involve a variety of professional skills. The faculty of architects, urban planners, landscape architects, engineers, computer scientists, constructors, lawyers, historians, and artists, in collaboration with educators in the language, philosophy and culture and natural and social sciences, help students develop an understanding of the physical, social, economic and political forces that shape our environment. To learn more about the College of Architecture, please visit us at https://arch.tamu.edu.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.  

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.