Research Development Specialist

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Closing Date:

06/01/2026

Type of Position:

Management - Operations

Job Type:

RegularDay Shift (United States of America)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity. We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans.
 

UAMS offers amazing benefits and perks (available for benefits eligible positions only):

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities
• Merchant Discounts
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
 

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at askrecruitment@uams.edu.

Department:

RESH | RSS Editing & Tech Writing

Department's Website:

https://research.uams.edu/scicom/

Summary of Job Duties:

The Research Development Specialist in the Science Communication Group (SciCom) supports the growth and sustainability of the institutional research enterprise. This role involves partnering with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop high-quality grant proposals, secure extramural research funding, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. The specialist provides strategic advice throughout the entire proposal development lifecycle, with a focus on large-scale, complex, and multidisciplinary applications.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in a science field, with 2 years of experience in research development, technical writing, or proposal development and willingness to seek certification as an Editor in the Life Sciences by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences. OR
• PhD in a science field in lieu of experience.

• Applicant should have willingness to obtain a UAMS Grants Management Certification.
• Must have the ability to work with personnel across multiple levels of the UAMS system, including administrators, financial personnel, junior and senior faculty, and deans or department or center directors.

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, syntax, and usage

• public speaking and presentation best-practices

• medical biology and chemistry, biostatistics, experimental design, clinical trial data analysis, and research laboratory protocol requirements

• style, content, format requirements, and references used in grants and medical journals

• journal publication process, peer-review process, sources of grant funding, and guidelines for grant procurement

• organizational, visual, and textual factors that promote readability, as well as the ways in which numerical data are appropriately presented

• grant writing for federal and foundation sources

Demonstrable skills in:

• effective communication in written and spoken English

• grammatical and rhetorical accuracy, clarity, and economy in editing and rewriting scientific texts and visuals

• mastery of word processing and a working knowledge of desktop publishing

• developing and delivering seminars/workshops

Ability to:

• work closely with investigators in preparing grant applications to effectively communicate scientific research ideas and data

• prepare and deliver clear written or spoken presentations and educational materials

• work both independently and as part of a team

• think critically

• respond to changing priorities

Additional Information:

30% Proposal development and management:

• Coordinate and support investigators in preparing single-project, as well as complex, center-level grant proposals. Write high-quality drafts of non-technical proposal components. Review, edit, and format technical and non-technical proposal documents to ensure they meet high-quality standards and sponsor requirements; specifically, work with investigators to critique, revise, copy-edit (e.g., correct errors in grammar, syntax, spelling), and format grant applications, progress reports, etc. Manage the lifecycle of proposal development; specifically, participate in the intellectual development of research grant proposals by attending and/or facilitating and planning organizational meetings and providing feedback on the feasibility of a project. Develop and/or maintain professional knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education activities and professional organizations. 

25% Strategic planning and funding outreach:

• Identify and distribute relevant funding opportunities through personalized searches and data mining. Analyze sponsor funding priorities and provide actionable recommendations to position investigators for future success. Manage limited submission funding opportunities and internal competitions as needed.

25% Capacity building and training:

• Train and support junior faculty preparing their first major research grant proposals. Develop and teach grant-writing workshops and seminars. Create proposal development resources, such as guides, checklists, best practices, and template text. Develop and/or maintain professional knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education activities and professional organizations.

10% Relationship management and collaboration:

• Foster interdisciplinary research and facilitate partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Plan and execute networking events or sponsor information sessions. Collaborate with university central offices and administrative teams to ensure proposal accuracy and internal consistency.

10% Other duties as assigned

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please contact askrecruitment@uams.edu for any recruiting related questions.

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

No Background Check Required

This position is subject to pre-employment screening (criminal background, drug testing, and/or education verification). A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant except as provided by law. Any criminal history will be evaluated in relationship to job responsibilities and business necessity.  The information obtained in these reports will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law. 

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting

Occasional Physical Activity:

Talking, Walking

Benefits Eligible:

Yes