Research Development Program Manager

Department

BSD DIV - Dean for Basic Science: Staff

About the Department

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) has a tripartite mission of education, research, and clinical care. In this unique academic community—the largest unit in the University—a unified BSD delivers undergraduate, graduate, medical, and postgraduate education in the biological sciences together with outstanding patient care and world-renowned research. The BSD currently includes approximately 160 faculty in the basic science departments, over 1200 faculty in clinical departments, and 2,400 staff members. The BSD includes the Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM), approximately 24 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes. In total, the BSD is responsible for the education and training of more than 1,200 undergraduate students per year and 800 graduate and medical students. The 17 doctoral training programs in biological sciences focus on Darwinian sciences, molecular biosciences, neurosciences, biomedical sciences, public health sciences, radiation physics, and the MD/PhD interdisciplinary scientist training program.

The Research Deans (Vice Dean for Basic Science, Vice Dean for Clinical Research, and Associate Dean for Basic Science) within the BSD Dean’s Office oversee all basic and clinical research programs in the BSD, and help lead the coordination and integration of all types of basic, clinical, translational, and community research throughout the BSD. The Research Deans are responsible for building strategic programs, as well as the integration of the basic research and graduate education missions, and support early-stage investigators. In this capacity the Research Deans oversee resources such as research space and core facilities, which are designed to support the research mission, as well as the limited opportunity grant review process and Research Development Team. They convene meetings with the Basic Science Chairs, Institute/Center Directors, as well as other key research leaders and committees and provide evaluations of all research faculty candidates. The Research Deans support a diverse group of research-related initiatives and meetings, the bulk of which center around new strategic programs.

Job Summary

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities. The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for the development and implementation of objectives and long-range and strategic plans. Achieves the financial objectives of their department. Identifies new external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities. The Research Development Program Manager provides operational leadership for the BSD Research Development Team (RDT), driving initiatives that expand the division's capacity to secure external research funding. Core responsibilities include overseeing complex proposal development, supervising Research Development Specialists, and building the programs, resources, and processes that position BSD researchers for competitive success.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Basic Science, this role serves as a strategic partner to faculty and divisional leadership — advancing institutional research priorities and cultivating a culture of collaboration and scientific excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of RDT initiatives that support BSD strategic priorities, including complex proposal development, strategic investigator support, and institutional research initiatives.

• Lead the ongoing development of the RDT by evaluating service models, implementing new operational approaches, identifying opportunities to expand institutional impact, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Manage the Division's portfolio of complex and high-impact funding opportunities by prioritizing projects, allocating Research Development resources, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Research Development Specialists while fostering professional development, establishing consistent service standards, and promoting effective project management practices.

• Lead development and implementation of standardized proposal management processes, collaborative workflows, templates, timelines, and project management systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and proposal quality.

• Leverage advanced expertise in pre-award research administration, sponsor policies, and institutional processes to guide proposal strategy, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate successful submission of complex funding applications.

• Apply comprehensive knowledge of the full sponsored research lifecycle—from proposal development through award management and closeout—to anticipate downstream administrative and operational considerations that strengthen proposal competitiveness and long-term project success.

• Partner with divisional leadership, department administrators, faculty, and University administrative offices to coordinate research development activities and facilitate successful multidisciplinary and multi-institutional funding initiatives.

• Help support the development and delivery of research development programming, educational resources, faculty outreach activities, and investigator support initiatives that increase BSD's long-term research competitiveness.

• Advise faculty and institutional leadership on proposal strategy, funding opportunities, team science initiatives, and proposal readiness to strengthen the Division's external funding portfolio.

• Monitor and evaluate RDT performance through operational metrics, process assessment, post-submission evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Identify emerging funding trends, strategic research opportunities, and institutional priorities, and translate those into actionable research development activities and services.

• Implements objectives, as well as some long-term strategic plans respective to the department's focus.

• Maintains external partners to advance strategic priorities. Communicates and collaborates with internal and external community members and leadership to achieve strategic priorities.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in STEM-related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Experience working with faculty in an academic setting and familiarity with academic values and culture strongly preferred.

• Experience working with NIH program projects or cooperative agreements (e.g., P30, P50, U19, U54 etc.), Foundation proposals, as well as ARPA-H, NSF, and other related federal agencies strongly preferred.

• Significant knowledge of the full sponsored award lifecycle—from pre-award administration and proposal development through award management and closeout strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet tight deadlines strongly preferred.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet tight deadlines strongly preferred.

• Excellent communication skills strongly preferred.

• Attention to detail and a commitment to providing a high level of service strongly preferred.

• High degree of professionalism, diplomacy skills, and ability to handle confidential information strongly preferred.

• Ability to interact with and win the trust and confidence of both faculty and administration strongly preferred.  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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