Research Area Specialist Lead

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Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The Research Development Lead serves as the Department of Emergency Medicine's primary resource for research development, funding strategy, and innovation advancement. Working closely with faculty investigators, departmental leadership, Innovation Partnerships, and institutional research support offices, this individual identifies funding opportunities, cultivates sponsor relationships, and supports the development of competitive research programs.

The position plays a key role in helping faculty secure funding from federal agencies, foundations, industry sponsors, and philanthropic organizations while also supporting the translation of innovative discoveries, technologies, and intellectual property into real-world healthcare solutions and commercial opportunities.

Reporting Relationships

The Research Development Lead reports to the Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, with day-to-day operational oversight provided by the Research Manager. The position partners with faculty, departmental leadership, research administration staff, and institutional stakeholders to advance the department's research, funding, innovation, and commercialization objectives

Impact of the Role

This position advances the Department of Emergency Medicine's research mission by expanding external funding, enhancing faculty success, fostering industry and sponsor partnerships, and accelerating the translation of innovative discoveries from idea to impact

Responsibilities*

Research Development and Funding Strategy

• Identify federal, foundation, industry, and philanthropic funding opportunities?including mechanisms supporting basic discovery, clinical research, implementation science, and commercialization?that align with departmental priorities and faculty research goals. Maintain expertise across the funding landscape especially focusing on NIH, ARPA-H, DoD, HRSA, NSF, and PCORI.
• Develop strategic funding plans aligned with departmental and faculty research priorities.
• Monitor funding trends and communicate opportunities to faculty and leadership.
• Maintain systems for tracking funding opportunities, submissions, and outcomes.

Faculty Research Development Support

• Partner with Emergency Medicine faculty to understand research interests, goals, and funding needs.
• Work with faculty to identify potentially marketable discoveries, technologies, digital health solutions, and other intellectual property.
• Provide guidance on sponsor requirements and proposal strategies.
• Support early-stage grant planning, team formation, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Review funding announcements and provide actionable recommendations to investigators.
• Facilitate connections between faculty and institutional research resources.

Sponsor and Industry Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with federal program officers, foundation representatives, industry sponsors, and strategic partners.
• Represent the department in sponsor meetings, research development initiatives, and innovation-focused programs.
• Facilitate collaborations that expand the department's research and innovation portfolio.

Leadership and Program Development

• Lead initiatives that strengthen the department's research funding infrastructure.
• Develop and implement a departmental innovation and commercialization strategy that develop programs and resources that increase faculty competitiveness for external funding.
• Analyze funding metrics and prepare reports for departmental leadership.
• Contribute to strategic planning related to research growth, innovation, and commercialization.
• Serve as a departmental resource and subject matter expert in research development and sponsor engagement.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, health-related, business, public administration, or related field.
• Significant experience in research administration, research development, grant development, academic medicine, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and pursuing external funding opportunities.
• Knowledge of federal research sponsors, grant mechanisms, and research funding processes.
• Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced academic environment.

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in related field.
• Experience supporting research programs within an academic medical center or healthcare system.
• Familiarity with Emergency Medicine research priorities and clinical research operations.
• Experience working with industry-sponsored research and strategic partnerships.
• Experience using funding databases such as Pivot-RP, GrantForward, Foundation Directory, or similar platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise in research funding landscapes and sponsor engagement strategies.
• Strong understanding of federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored research funding.
• Ability to translate complex funding announcements into actionable guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to build effective relationships with faculty, institutional leaders, sponsors, and external partners.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with data tracking, reporting, and research administration tools.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.