Research Development Process Engineer Jobs in Syracuse, NY

Posting Details
Posting Details
Job #
042851
Department Code
20324-6086
Department
Office of Research
Job Title
Assistant Director, Research Development-AI Institute
Location
Syracuse, NY
Campus
Syracuse, NY
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$91,000 - $115,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level
S5
FLSA Status
Exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours
8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type
Full-time
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
Remote and local candidates will be considered.
The Assistant Director of Research Development, AI Institute advances the research mission of the Syracuse University Institute for Artificial Intelligence by leading research development and business development activities, including strategic funding opportunity identification, funder relationship management, proposal development support, and strategic intelligence. This position serves as the Institute's research development strategist and the primary advisor to Institute faculty on proposal competitiveness, sponsor alignment, and funder engagement.
This position reports directly to the Director of the AI Institute and maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Senior Director of the Office of Research Development (ORD) to ensure alignment with University-wide research development strategy, practices, and infrastructure. The Assistant Director collaborates with ORD on cross-cutting initiatives and participates in the ORD professional community to maintain consistency in research development practices across the University.
Education and Experience
Required:

• Advanced degree in a STEM field, particularly in artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering, or a related discipline, and four (4+) or more years of relevant research development experience preferred.
• Candidates with a bachelor's degree and six (6+) or more years of direct experience in research development at an accredited institution will be considered.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field. Seven or more years of research development experience in a university or federal research setting.
• Experience supporting an interdisciplinary research institute or center.

Skills and Knowledge

• Outstanding writing, editing, speaking, and proposal development skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners, and a demonstrated ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record in successful facilitation of research proposals, including experience managing funder relationships and proposal pipelines for large, complex, multi-investigator initiatives.
• Knowledge of extramural funding programs, including expertise in analyzing and applying federal and non-federal regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to use customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track funding leads, program officer engagement, and proposal pipelines.
• Knowledge of federal funding agencies and programs relevant to artificial intelligence research, including NSF, DARPA, DoE, DoD, and IARPA, is required.
• Familiarity with philanthropic funders supporting AI research (e.g., Sloan, Schmidt Sciences, Templeton) is highly desired.
• Experience cultivating and managing industry research partnerships is highly desired.
• Knowledge and experience working across multiple academic departments and central research administration units is required.

Responsibilities
Research Development and Proposal Strategy

• Serve as the Institute's primary research development advisor, working with faculty to identify the strongest funding targets and develop competitive proposal strategies.
• Advise investigators on proposal framing, competitiveness, team composition, and alignment with sponsor priorities.
• Review draft proposals for alignment with funder requirements and strategic fit prior to submission routing.
• Track all proposals and white papers across Institute members and maintain institute-wide research development metrics, including submission volume, dollar amounts, success rates, and investigator participation.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager and campus partners to submit strategic, competitive, and compliant proposals that are aligned with funder and university priorities.

Funding Opportunity Identification and Funder Pipeline Management

• Facilitate and synthesize strategic intelligence for the Institute.
• Actively search, identify, and disseminate funding opportunities relevant to Institute faculty across federal, philanthropic, and industry sources.
• Maintain CRM-based tracking of funding leads, program officer engagement, emerging programs, and Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Facilitate funding strategy sessions with researchers to align Institute capabilities with sponsor priorities.
• Work with key personnel to monitor opportunities from NSF, DARPA, DoD, DoE, IARPA, and other relevant agencies, and with designated personnel to track opportunities from philanthropic organizations and foundations.
• Monitor the federal funding landscape and emerging policy developments to identify new areas of opportunity for Institute faculty.

Funder Engagement and Targeted Materials

• Manage the production of white papers, quad charts, capability statements, one-pagers, and other targeted materials in support of funder engagement.
• Ensure all funder-facing materials are consistent with University and Institute branding standards and comply with University trademark and brand guidelines.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings between Institute faculty and federal program managers, foundation program officers, and other funders.
• Support Institute leadership in preparing for funder visits, site reviews, and sponsor-facing presentations.

Relationship Management and Coordination

• Facilitate coordination among campus partners (OoR/RD, CFR/Advancement, Government Relations) to cultivate and manage industry partner relationships in pursuit of collaborative grant awards and sponsored research agreements.
• Keep industry partners informed of Institute research progress and capabilities.

ORD Alignment and Professional Development

• Participate in Office of Research Development team meetings, professional development activities, and cross-institutional research development initiatives to maintain alignment with University-wide research development practices.
• Contribute AI-domain expertise and funding landscape intelligence to the broader ORD mission.
• Coordinate with ORD colleagues on multi-institute or University-wide proposal opportunities that involve AI Institute faculty.

Physical Requirements
Tools/Equipment
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University's 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University's contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/113363
Job Posting Date
06/10/2026
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category
Staff
Message to Applicants