The Research and Proposal Development Manager for the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland will work collaboratively with faculty and researchers to identify and pursue extramural funding opportunities.
The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland catalyzes high-quality research, innovation, and learning, preparing our students to create innovations that will address the 21st century Grand Challenges (e.g., energy, environment, security, and human health) and improve the human condition. The Clark School is dedicated to leading and transforming the engineering discipline and profession, accelerating entrepreneurship, and transforming research and learning activities into innovations that benefit millions.
Responsibilities:
• Assist with capture management for major research funding opportunities (>$1M/year), especially those that are interdisciplinary across units.
• Decipher and extract key proposal requirements from the funding opportunity. Develop a timeline of milestones to facilitate proposal planning, development, and adherence to the application guidelines. Initiate and maintain regular communications and meetings, create and manage a virtual shared workspace for the proposal development team to ensure timely progress towards successful proposal submission.
• Serve as the administrative lead and manage the development of all components of a grant application. This includes developing and maintaining a checklist, tracking action items and deliverables, and managing all proposal documents including budgets/justifications according to sponsor and University requirements, biosketches, subcontract documents, letters of support and other required materials.
• Coordinate with multiple departments and external organizations to facilitate University-wide and other large-scale collaboration and/or interdisciplinary proposals.
• Assist faculty with writing, editing and reviewing non-technical portions of the proposal. Provide critiques of proposal documents in terms of clarity, editing, format and consistency with agency requirements.
• Work with investigators to submit complete proposals to the Office of Sponsored Programs for final review, approval and submission to external sponsors.
•Respond to specific administrative questions required by the RFP, interact and communicate with proposal team members and others on campus to resolve questions. Work with designers in conceptualizing graphics, illustrations, layouts, and infographics, templates and guide writing and editing content that drives or supports research proposals, publications, and other related documents.
• Produce resources to advance research, including templates, project management documents and other web-based/public relations resources.
• Develop and offer resources and avenues to promote new collaborations and research interests within and beyond the campus.
• Design, develop, and facilitate workshops and other types of training on proposal and grant writing for diverse audiences.
• Gather, track and analyze related metrics and prepare reports, spreadsheets, graphics and other correspondences.
• Support early career investigators in establishing and managing research funding. Provide training on internal processes as well as grant writing or related professional development opportunities.
Provide a broad range of administrative support for day-to-day operations:
• Supervise or mentor other proposal staff.
• Perform informational searches, gather/enter data and research materials.
• Continually improve, practice and document SOPs and maintain internal databases for office operations.
• Bring innovative new ideas to grow support for research activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical Communication, English, or a related field
The successful must possess:
- a minimum of three years of experience writing and managing proposals (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs)
- outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- strong organizational and time management skills
- exceptional attention to detail and a proven track record of effective problem solving and decision making.
- strong persuasive and technical writing skills
- the ability to translate complex technical solutions into clear, compelling narratives, executive summaries, technical approaches, management plans, and past performance sections
- experience working successfully with cross-functional teams
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in engineering or related field.
Physical Demands:
Using computer and keyboard
Sitting for periods of time
Standing for periods of time
No unusual physical or environmental demandsAdditional Job Details
Required Application Materials: Cover letter, CV, and list of references
Best Consideration Date: May 25, 2026
Posting Close Date: N/A
Open Until Filled: Yes
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For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment EligibilityThe successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO StatementThe University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technical Communication, English, or related field
- Minimum of three years of experience writing and managing proposals (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs)
- Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and a proven track record of effective problem solving and decision making
- Strong persuasive and technical writing skills
- Experience working successfully with cross-functional teams
- Advanced degree in engineering or related field
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