Grant Development Specialist

Posting Details

Posting Details

Logo Institution South Dakota State University Working Title Grant Development Specialist Posting Number NFE03117P Department SDSU-Division of Research & Econ Dvlp Physical Location of Position (City) Brookings Posting Text

Are you passionate about advancing research and supporting innovative projects? Join our team at South Dakota State University (SDState) as a Grant Development Specialist. In this vital role, you will help researchers get external funding for their projects and contribute to the growth of SDState research, scholarship, and creative activity. If you are eager to foster innovation and collaboration, and promote research that makes a difference locally, nationally, and globally, we want to hear from you. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota, or remote within South Dakota, and is a 12 month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

The Division of Research and Economic Development plays a central role in advancing faculty expertise to solve real-world challenges and promote economic development. SDSU is recognized for its leadership in areas such as bioprocessing, precision agriculture, and remote sensing, and is home to several prominent research centers and partnerships, including the POET Bioproducts Center and three state research centers focused on drug delivery, biologics, and translational biosystems.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) with authority to submit grant applications to select federal agencies on behalf of South Dakota State University, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Facilitate collaboration among multi-, trans-, and inter-disciplinary teams and provide grant preparation support for large, multi-unit applications and proposals originating from central administration or support units.
• Develop and deliver resources, programs, and trainings that strengthen SDSU researchers' ability to secure external funding and effectively advocate for their work.
• Communicate and coordinate grant development resources and activities with College Grant Coordinators and Specialists to ensure consistency and alignment across the university.
• Manage and promote limited submission opportunities, internal funding programs, and grant prospecting resources to support faculty and staff success.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (STEM, Communication, English, or related) completed by start date;
• At least one year of experience in research development or research administration;
• Experience developing competitive grant application packets for major federal funders (NSF, NIH, or USDA);
• The ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing;
• Demonstrated capacity to create and implement effective training and development programs and resources;
• The ability to work productively in a team, take initiative, and adapt readily to ambiguity and changing conditions;
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in relevant field (STEM, Communication, English, or related);
• Three or more years of experience in research development;
• Experience in higher education research funding;
• Experience supporting large interdisciplinary research teams with complex proposals; and
• Grant proposal writing experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date 06/26/2026 Closing Date 07/17/2026 Open Until Filled No First Consideration Date Advertised Salary The minimum starting salary for this position is $56,169. Duration of the Term 12 months If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100 Work Hours

Location is on campus in Brookings, South Dakota OR remote within South Dakota.

M-F 8am-5pm Central

Typical Hours Worked Per Week Appointment Type Regular Faculty Status No Scope of Search External (includes Internal) If internal, define scope of search This position requires Travel, Valid Drivers License If other, please indicate Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The mission of the Community Practice Innovation Center is to address community-identified needs and implement innovative solutions to better serve our region, which is achieved through project (research and public health) and service work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact hiring manager Dianne Nagy at dianne.nagy@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5051.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office Environment If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Where did you hear about this position?
• LinkedIn
• SDBOR Employment Site
• South Dakota Department of Labor
• Employee Referral
• Department Announcement / Inside State
• Handshake
• Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
• Industry Conference
• Search Engine - Please specify
• Employment Agency - Please specify
• Newspaper - Please specify
• HigherEdJobs.com
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
• Radio - Please specify
• APLU
• List Servs - Please specify
• Alumni
• Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference List

Optional Documents