Ecosystem Development Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

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
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