OCHE, Grant Writer and Research Manager

University of Utah

UT

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$70,000–$80,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Academic Research, Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Benchmarking, Budgeting, Code of Federal Regulations, Conferences, Data Collection, Disability Accommodations, Economic Development, Economics, Ecosystems, Employee Benefits, Entrepreneurship, Foundation Grants, Funding, Government, Grant Administration/Management, Grant Writing, Higher Education, Leadership, Mentoring, Metrics, Nonprofit, Nucleus, Organizational Skills, Project Design, Project Estimates, Project Planning, Proposal Development, Public Policy, Public Safety, Publications, Record Keeping, Reporting Skills, Research & Development (R&D), Research Grants, Research Skills, Sales Pipeline, Startup, Talent Management, Team Player, Technical Research, Technical Support, Technology Analysis, Time Management, Trend Analysis, White Papers, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
UT
POSTED
10 days ago

Announcement

Details

Open Date 06/26/2026 Requisition Number PRN45475B Job Title OCHE, Grant Writer and Research Manager Working Title Grant Writer & Research Manager Career Progression Track G Track Level FLSA Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

Monday - Friday

8 AM to 5 PM

This position will be on-site

VP Area President Department 02488 - Nucleus Institute Location Other City Lehi, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $70,000 to $80,000 Close Date 09/26/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 07/17/2026 Job Summary

We are seeking a candidate who possesses a strong research background, exceptional grant-writing skills, and the ability to lead complex projects that advance innovation and economic development initiatives. This role will lead grant development and management activities, support Utah organizations in securing external funding, and conduct research and analysis on key statewide innovation and economic development priorities.

The Nucleus Institute team at the Utah System of Higher Education is ardently engaged in steering a multitude of pioneering projects within the state, each designed to harness the innovative capital of Utah's academic and economic vitality. Notably, the team is at the forefront of the Innovation District at The Point project, designing and activating Convergence Hall, an innovation Campus. This ambitious project is a nexus where academia, industry leaders, and policy makers converge to foster a symbiotic ecosystem, encouraging the exchange of ideas and the nurturing of innovation. The environment is meticulously designed to spur research and development, start-up incubation, and collaborative opportunities that can translate academic research into tangible societal benefits.

Furthermore, the team is instrumental in managing the $40 million Nucleus Fund. This significant investment underscores Utah's commitment to economic progression by methodically commercializing a range of breakthrough technologies. These are discoveries, advancements, or developments that are connected within Utah's higher education institutions. By providing essential capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the fund aims to shepherd these innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, thereby solidifying Utah's reputation as a crucible of innovation.

Additionally, the Nucleus Institute supports a variety of programs and events across the Utah deep tech ecosystem including Nucleus Grow, Utah Policy Innovation Lab, ProLab, MarketEdge, and Global. All of these programs support the commercialization and innovation of deep tech research and development.

Responsibilities

Grant Development & Management

  • Identify, evaluate, and maintain a pipeline of federal, state, foundation, and industry grant opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
  • Lead the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals and funding applications.
  • Coordinate with the organization's grant support partners to ensure high-quality proposal development, compliance, and submission processes.
  • Manage grant timelines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and post-award compliance activities.
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop project scopes, budgets, work plans, and evaluation metrics.
  • Monitor funding trends and emerging grant opportunities relevant to innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, research commercialization, and economic development.
  • Maintain records of grant activities, funding outcomes, proposal submissions, and reporting obligations.

Research & Analysis

  • Conduct original research and analysis on innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic development trends impacting Utah.
  • Lead data collection, literature reviews, benchmarking studies, and policy research to support organizational initiatives.
  • Develop research reports, white papers, policy briefs, and presentations for public and private sector stakeholders.
  • Serve as a lead researcher for the Nucleus Institute's annual State of Innovation Report and related publications.
  • Analyze Utah's innovation ecosystem and identify opportunities to strengthen research commercialization, startup formation, talent development, and capital formation.
  • Support the development of metrics and frameworks for measuring innovation ecosystem performance and impact.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Support

  • Provide grant support and technical assistance to Utah-based startups, universities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and community partners seeking external funding.
  • Facilitate collaboration among research institutions, industry partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
  • Represent the organization in meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder engagements across Utah's innovation ecosystem.

Skills & Abilities:

  • Ability to attend events outside of normal working hours as needed.
  • Willingness to travel for projects, meetings, and institutional site visits.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience. Assumes work equivalency (1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience).

Preferences

  • Ph.D. in a relevant field such as public policy, economics, business, engineering, science, technology, innovation studies, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or leading major research and grant-funded projects.

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/

Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu

https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Resume

Optional Documents

  • Cover Letter

About the Company

U

University of Utah

The state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education, the University of Utah is the flagship university of the state. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students (23,500 undergraduate and 7,500 graduate). The University is noted for its high research profile, its diversity of ideas and people, its stunningly beautiful setting and the warmth, friendliness, and collegiality of its faculty staff, and students. Imagine yourself working in a collaborative, creative, respectful environment where everyone’s contribution is needed and appreciated – University of Utah!

COMPANY SIZE
1,500 to 1,999 employees
INDUSTRY
Education
FOUNDED
1850
WEBSITE
http://www.utah.edu/