Post-Award Specialist/Research Development Associate

Help us to support research and innovation throughout Wisconsin! We are seeking a collaborative team member to work with faculty and staff at the Universities of Wisconsin regional campuses to expand their ability to develop competitive research proposals for obtaining external funding. You will also have the opportunity to engage with the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program through our NSF Engines Development Award, which recently led to an invitation to submit a full Engines proposal to NSF to support an Engine that will make Wisconsin a global leader in sustainable agriculture. 

The Post-Award Specialist/Research Development Associate will help deliver WiSys Research Development programming to Universities of Wisconsin faculty and staff as well as playing an important role in managing WiSys’ own external grants. You will collaborate with faculty and research development and sponsored programs staff at the Universities of Wisconsin regional campuses. You will also work closely with the Research Development Manager and the WiSys team, a diverse team with expertise in academic technology transfer and technology commercialization. WiSys main office is in Madison, Wisconsin and we are open to flexible and hybrid work arrangements. This position requires occasional travel to various UW campuses.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Assisting with the management of external grants, including monitoring institutional compliance and managing subrecipients.
• Creating, developing, and delivering in-person and virtual research development seminars, workshops, and guidance materials to train faculty in grant writing
• Reviewing and promoting funding announcements to faculty and staff
• Providing comprehensive editorial review on proposals for innovative research and scholarship
• Facilitating partnerships between faculty investigators so they can pursue multidisciplinary funding opportunities
• Developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with Grants and Research Office staff at UW campuses and working collaboratively with the WiSys team

You’ll enjoy this role if you like to: 

• Build collaborations and partnership with university administrators and faculty
• Share your familiarity and knowledge of post-award administration as well as federal granting agency policies and procedures with university and internal partners
• Prioritize and manage projects including taking initiative and working collaborating to solve problems and resolve concerns

You’ll be off to a great start if you demonstrate:

• Experience with post-award grant management.
• Experience with and knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of grants, sponsored programs, research administration; experience with managing a variety of federal and nonfederal awards is strongly preferred. 
• Proven ability to communicate and build rapport with university faculty, staff, and students.
• Strong presentation, training, and facilitation skills to interact effectively with diverse audiences. 
• A bachelor’s degree is required, while an advanced degree or experience with instruction or training is preferred. 

You’ll be recognized and compensated by a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Health and wellness benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental health benefits, domestic partner benefits.
• Generous paid time off package, including vacation, medical, personal days, holidays, bereavement time, time off to volunteer and vote, parental leave.
• Defined contribution plan with an employer contribution and match eligibility, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance policy, and employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Inclusive and accessible work environment, including flexible and hybrid work arrangements, paid on-site parking and bus passes, and professional development opportunities. 

To Apply:

If interested in this opportunity submit a resume via the link: http://www.wisys.org/about-us/careers

WiSys promotes and supports an inclusive and diverse environment and encourages all individuals to apply if you believe you are able to learn and perform the required responsibilities of this position. If you feel you can do the job and are excited about it but not sure if you meet the qualifications, consider applying as we’d love to connect with you! 

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the employment process. If you need to request accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 608-960-9840.

The Organization:

WiSys works hand-in-hand with innovators, researchers and students to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, identify, protect, develop and commercialize discoveries emanating from the research base as well as foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking on the campuses it serves. WiSys Research Development provides strategic, capacity-building activities designed to assist faculty and staff from any discipline in their pursuit of external funding to support creative and innovative research and scholarship. WiSys coordinates several annual events geared toward innovation, research, and enhancing the student experience. WiSys also coordinates the WiSys VentureHome® program - a network of startup hubs that bring together statewide resources with community initiatives to provide local entrepreneurs access to a full menu of startup resources in their community. Please visit www.wisys.org and www.wisys.org/about-us/wisys-research-development to learn more.

Our values are collaboration, client focus, engagement, work-life balance, enthusiasm for innovation & research, and productivity. WiSys supports and promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and offers competitive salary and benefits. Benefits information can be found here: https://www.wisys.org/about-us/careers