Research Development Associate - Digital InnovationGeorge Mason University's Research and Innovation Initiatives office, invites experienced research development professionals who are collaborative, strategic, and insightful, and who have a demonstrated track record of success to apply for this exciting position.Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Innovation, the Research Development Associate - Digital Innovation works closely with the Leadership of the Institute for Digital Innovation to provide strategic planning for external funding opportunities and proposal development support to help secure external funding from federal, state, and private foundation sources for transdisciplinary digital innovation research at Mason.Operating as a member of the Research Development Services team and a de facto member of the IDIA team, the Research Development Associate is responsible for identifying external funding opportunities in collaboration with the IDIA leadership team and supporting IDIA-affiliated faculty as they develop complex and institutionally important proposals for transdisciplinary digital or computational-focused research.George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.About Research and Innovation Initiatives:The Research and Innovation Initiatives (RII) office nurtures and promotes state-of-the-art research and scholarship at Mason, providing resources that assist the Mason faculty-postdoc-student community with the identification of external funding opportunities and the development of high-quality proposals, sponsored projects, and activities. The office provides services that: introduce Mason PIs to new and existing funding opportunities; facilitate the formation of effective multidisciplinary teams, both within Mason and with other external partner organizations; result in the creation of higher quality, collaborative proposals; ensure productive relationships with colleagues in other Mason organizations including the Office of Research Services, Corporate and Foundation Relations, and Mason Enterprise. The office also supports Mason's three University Research Institutes (Institute for BioHealth Innovation, Institute for a Sustainable Earth, and Institute for Digital Innovation), as well the Transdisciplinary Centers for Advanced Study, other University Level Research Centers, and Mason Core Facilities.About the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA):IDIA works to catalyze collaborations among researchers, innovators, scholars, and external partners, and supports transdisciplinary and cutting edge research to shape the future of our digital society, promoting equality, wellbeing, security, and prosperity. More than six hundred Mason faculty and their research staff and students are working across three themes:Technologies: Inventing new algorithms, digital techniques, and technologies;Systems: Developing and deploying computing systems to advance fields as diverse as finance, education, built infrastructure, science, economics, agriculture, health, transportation, entertainment, national security, and social justice; andDigital Society: Engaging in critical reflection that examines the implications of digital innovation to ensure that innovators are sensitive to designing and innovating responsibly, and that key stakeholders - including users, innovators, policy-makers and the public at large - are informed about technology's social, ethical, political, and economic impacts.Duties:Operating as a member of the Research Development Services team and a de facto member of the IDIA team, the Research Development Associate will be responsible for identifying external funding opportunities in collaboration with the IDIA leadership team and supporting IDIA-affiliated faculty as they develop complex and institutionally important proposals for transdisciplinary digital or computational-focused research.Duties include:Proactively identifies external funding opportunities from federal, state, and foundation programs that align with IDIA goals and objectives;Works as part of the IDIA team to leverage research strengths and coordinate across the university to enhance the competitiveness of proposals for targeted opportunities;Advises IDIA leadership on strategic opportunities for research development by maintaining and expanding knowledge of and familiarity with federal and non-federal funding opportunities, as well as personnel at funding agencies and partners in the digital and computational research;Provides the necessary support and coordination for major multidisciplinary proposals - including facilitating team meetings of interested faculty, conducting project management activities (e.g., developing timelines, scaffolded deliverables), providing or securing grant writing services, identifying and contacting outside consultants or partners, and drafting supplementary documents; andIdentifies and performs other research development tasks as needed that support the enhancement of Mason's transdisciplinary digital innovation research portfolio.Required Qualifications:Master's degree in a STEM related field;Demonstrated experience (typically three years) working in research and/or sponsored projects development, including direct experience with large-scale, multidisciplinary proposal development;Experience identifying funding sources and solicitations, proposal development and/or proposal editing or writing;Demonstrated skill in effective communication (written and verbal) with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to diverse, multi-disciplinary, and non-technical audiences; andDemonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse faculty across multiple disciplines, university administrators, and funders.Preferred Qualifications and Desired Competencies:Doctoral degree in a STEM related field;Substantial experience (typically five or more years) working in research and/or sponsored projects development with demonstrated success obtaining funding for large-scale initiatives;Knowledge of priority areas of research for Mason including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Information Science and Engineering, Human-Machine Teaming, Future of Work, 5G, Cybersecurity, Smart Cities, Sensor Fusion Technologies, etc.;Demonstrated project management skills with experience managing multiple, simultaneous workstreams;Experience working with teams of multidisciplinary researchers, and demonstrated success producing transdisciplinary outputs, including new problem spaces, white papers, and large proposals; andExperience in a large, dispersed university environment.

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."