University of Chicago · 2 months ago
Director, Research Development
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$135K/yr - $160K/yr
7+ years expThe University of Chicago is initiating a Climate Systems Engineering research effort and is seeking an experienced Director of Research Development. This role will provide technical and intellectual leadership for CSEi's research activities, managing projects, grants, and collaborations to maximize impact in climate engineering.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Manages CSEi-funded research projects at UChicago. Develops relationships and communication strategies to encourage proposal submission; structures proposal review; monitors project budgets; engages in frequent substantive coordination between CSEi leadership and researchers with the goal of improving applied research outputs with midcourse adjustment of research plans; assists researchers in managing complex external contracts; supports researchers in raising external funding; develops synergies among projects and helps researchers to develop external collaborations. Most current projects listed here: https://climateengineering.uchicago.edu/research/
Manages grant/funding applications. Coordinates CSEi grant application preparation and submission, including developing timelines, organizing documentation, and ensuring compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements. Collaborates with Institute Senior Grants and Contracts Manager on budget preparation, sub awards, budget monitoring and updates. Advises CSEi leadership on adapting plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges over the grant lifecycle; prepares reports to sponsors
Initiates and manages a variety of complex research contracts with engineering firms and vendors. Manages in-house engineers and research staff, is accountable for their performance and results, and develops plans for the team, guided by resource availability and CSEi objectives
Coordinates with researchers across UChicago to maximize the practical benefit of CSEi's funding for on-campus research
Manages the production of articles, reports and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and/or conference
Collaborates with the communications team to disseminate research findings for public audiences and reports to donors
Works with external stakeholders in the climate engineering world to advance the field
Provides mentoring and support for students interested in applied research in climate systems engineering
Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates
Manages research professionals and support staff involved with planning, monitoring, and compliance aspects of research projects. Advises other researchers on long-range plans for research projects
Develops goals and operating procedures, practices, and guidelines for research activity based on department strategy
Performs other related work as needed
Qualification
Required
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline
Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)
Three Professional References Contact Information (required)
Preferred
PhD in climate science, engineering, or a related field
Knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience, ideally research experience managing engineering and applied research tasks in an environment that mixes public (university or public research center) research with private (contractor or for-profit) research
Lead complex, interdisciplinary research programs at the intersection of climate science, engineering, policy, and governance
Formulate long-term research strategies aligned with institutional and societal priorities in climate systems and emerging technologies
Demonstrated success in building and managing research programs, including supervising multidisciplinary teams, mentoring students, overseeing budgets, and setting clear goals and deliverables
Deep knowledge of climate and engineering, modeling, risk assessment, and/or climate intervention technologies, such as carbon removal, SRM, glacial interventions
Strong understanding of climate governance and the policy landscape surrounding climate intervention technologies
Capacity to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving scientific and policy landscape
Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with an ability to synthesize complex technical topics for academic, policy, and public audiences
Facilitate collaboration across engineering, natural and social sciences, and humanities
Demonstrated sensitivity to the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging climate technologies
Experience with and a commitment to stakeholder engagement in a research setting, especially regarding outdoor experiments
Track record of securing and managing research grants from public and/or private sources, identifying new funding opportunities, and cultivating partnerships to advance the mission of CSEi
Strong commitment to scientific rigor, transparency, reproducibility, and high standards of academic and professional ethics
Excellent management skills
Excellent computer skills
Excellent writing and communication skills
Benefits
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Company
University of Chicago
One of the world’s great intellectual destinations, the University of Chicago empowers scholars and students to ask tough questions, cross disciplinary boundaries, and challenge conventional thinking to enrich human life around the globe.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Chicago has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (341)
2024 (318)
2023 (285)
2022 (233)
2021 (179)
2020 (172)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Benedicte Nolens
Distinguished Executive in Residence
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