New Job Posting: CITRIS Grant Development Officer

2021-09-29

The CITRIS Research Officer fulfills a primary responsibility: broad and integrated research activity. The CITRIS Research Officer will report administratively to the CITRIS Program Director with a matrix reporting structure to the Director and Associate Director of CITRIS. The CITRIS Research Officer will develop and oversee the implementation of new research funding streams and programs for CITRIS. As a new position designed to increase extramural funding and facilitate large proposals on technology, innovation and implications to society, the Research Officer will identify funding opportunities, communicate and cultivate teams, and support proposal development, from designing rhetorical strategy to planning and implementation logistics. A successful incumbent will resolve complex and competing demands of the program, not limited to strategic development of new programs and initiatives that advance science and technology research and education. This position works closely with CITRIS faculty and affiliates to assist them with identifying funding opportunities, writing grants, scientific reports, abstracts, and other scientific writing. This position works with the primary author or principal investigator to ensure stylistic conformity, logical organization of text, and rational development of the scientific argument, and ensures that the final product and all components are optimal prior to submission. The incumbent will work within a complex network of granting at UC Merced. The incumbent will resolve issues requiring knowledge of computing and information technology and will gather and summarize data in support of programmatic objectives. The incumbent must exercise judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results in support of programmatic objectives, campus-wide and cross-campus initiatives.

The incumbent will be required to handle critical and sensitive issues, information, and requests, and will require interaction with peers across UC Merced and at the other CITRIS campuses. Programmatic demands include setting administrative priorities and gathering relevant data in support of proposals and other CITRIS campus initiatives. The incumbent will provide support to CITRIS Directors and faculty associated with CITRIS objectives with confidentiality and professionalism. Oversight of other administrative and clerical personnel and CITRIS interns will be required. Occasional travel and irregular work hours will also be required.

The position is embedded within the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), an Institute of Science & Innovation within the University of California. The position will serve administratively the Merced campus and liaise with CITRIS campuses (Berkeley, Davis, and Santa Cruz) as appropriate. The incumbent will be the main communication link with the partner CITRIS campuses, and will be expected to participate in administrative, operational, and planning meetings of the Center, including conference call sessions and occasional travel to other campuses. Collaboration with School of Engineering and Office of Research and Economic Development is expected, as well as other units on the Merced Campus. Support of existing CITRIS programs will be necessary, not limited to CRAFT, NexTech, HealthTech, ¡Valle!, Frontiers in Technology, Tech for Social Good, and other subsidiary activities.

1. In cooperation with CITRIS Directors, and campus investigators and major program stakeholders, serves as the point person for obtaining, organizing, and compiling information to write/edit/compile large, multi-department and multi-institution funding submissions.
2. Serves as primary resource to CITRIS to organize, analyze and interpret complex, innovative, scientific and/or technical data, to produce clear, cogent verbal and visual communication by applying knowledge of science, technology or engineering to translate scientific and technical language into easily understood concepts for the purpose of identifying funding opportunities, writing grants, scientific reports, abstracts, and other scientific writing.
3. Through strategic planning, identifies, plans, and executes complex extramural funding campaigns, not limited to competitive and philanthropic opportunities. Works with CITRIS Directors to prioritize efforts and leverage resources and opportunities; may coordinate and oversee the work of support staff, student interns, and/or other professionals.
4. Provides content for communications to research institutions, scientists, professionals, legislators, the media, and the public by working with the CITRIS support team. Through advanced communication techniques and cross-campus collaboration, creates high level content for press releases, announcements, responses to requests for information, and social media and web strategy, requiring political acumen and discretion. The incumbent must understand and be able to apply principles of target marketing to development communications, understanding both the psychological research and statistical techniques, as well as high level science, technology and engineering policy deliberations. Monitors and evaluates progress of grant awards.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and a minimum of three years of directly related, progressively responsible experience, or equivalent experience/training.
• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Academic background and experience in selected area of research required.
• Evidence of strong communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced team science environment is required.
• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced knowledge and research skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers, managers and teams.
• Proven program planning and management of projects. (Preferred)
• Strong experience preparing data for quarterly and annual reporting.
• Strong ability to work under adjusting priorities.
• Background check and LiveScan fingerprinting will be required for this position.

1. Visit the UCMERCED external Jobs page here.
2. At the bottom of the page is the apply button.
3. Initial applicant review will begin on or around October 18, 2021. Posting may close any time after that without notice