Project Analyst, SETA 1 (Small Business Focus)

The work: ICF is seeking a Project Analyst, Research and Development (SETA 1) to support science and engineering innovation programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Your work will contribute to enabling the U.S. to uphold its leadership in innovation in science and engineering. This is an opportunity to contribute to an important project from its beginning, work with the latest and emerging technologies, and all while building a great career at ICF! 

Job Location: This role is hybrid, based in Alexandria, VA, but remote options are possible. 

What you will do: 

• Support and implement a wide range of technology, research and development, and programmatic tasks. 

• Support management of grants, cooperative agreements, acquisitions, and award management, including coordination of review processes. 

• Support and improve administrative business processes. 

• Coordinate meetings between various participants involved in programmatic tasks. 

• Demonstrate proficiency with project management tools, scheduling tools, and data analytic tools and processes. 

• Coordinate and manage tasks, schedule programmatic meetings, and share data with program members and the data analytics team. 

• Draw meaningful connections and information to inform business analysis decisions, improve processes, and support programmatic recommendations and goals. 

What You Will Bring With You (Minimum Requirements): 

• BS/BA degree or equivalent education and/or experience. 

• 5+ years of research and development expertise in grants management, project management, and supporting research projects. 

• 2+ years of Federal or State level Small Business Innovation (SBIR) and Technology Transfer (STTR) program experience. 

• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.​

What We Would Like You To Bring With You: 

• Master’s or PHD degree in equivalent education (advanced degrees will be counted toward the minimum 5-year experience requirement) 

• Preferred experience working in the innovation ecosystem and/or familiarity with a federal government funding research agency in a Science, Engineering, and Technical Assistance (SETA) role. 

• Preferred experience working with university incubators, accelerators, venture capital organizations, or other entrepreneurial and business support entities that engage with or support SBIR/STTR programs. 

• Preferred familiarity with NSF's partnerships landscape study. 

• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills, including managing research projects, data analysis and visualization, survey implementation, project strategy and management. 

• Proficiency in interpreting and executing industry-standard project management tools, technical note capture and reporting, and other administrative duties such as scheduling meetings and coordinating deliverable feedback. 

Professional Skills 

• High proficiency using Microsoft Office tools. 

• Education and/or demonstrated expertise in deep technology areas aligned with NSF TIP SBIR/STTR priorities, such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, biological technologies, or emerging science and engineering fields.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to maintain effective communication channels with federal technical staff and programmatic contractor personnel. 

• Strong multitasking abilities, familiar with a fast-paced environment. 

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.