Research Proposal Development Manager

The PPPL Research Proposal Development Manager will support PPPL’s mission by identifying new research funding opportunities and developing and managing the full research proposal lifecycle from pre-proposal concept development to proposal submission and award. The role involves coordinating with various departments to develop pre-proposal and proposal concepts, integrating operational considerations, and training new Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure high-quality proposals. The manager will also oversee the proposal development process, manage proposal teams, and maintain proposal documentation. This position is ideal for a highly organized and strategic individual with a passion for supporting scientific research through effective proposal development.

The purpose of the Research Proposal Development Manager role at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is to support and enhance PPPL’s research mission by effectively identifying, managing, and securing funding opportunities for scientific research projects. The manager plays a critical role in ensuring the development and submission of high-quality research proposals by collaborating with various stakeholders, including researchers, departmental leaders, and administrative staff. This role involves coordinating the proposal development process, training new Principal Investigators (PIs), integrating operational considerations, and maintaining comprehensive documentation and records of proposal activities. By fostering a structured and efficient proposal development environment, the manager aims to maximize the potential for obtaining funding awards, thereby contributing to the advancement of PPPL’s research objectives.

A proud U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory managed by Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a longstanding leader in the science and innovation behind the development of fusion energy — a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source. With an eye on the future and in response to national priorities, PPPL also has begun a strategic shift from a singular focus on fusion energy to a multi-focus approach that includes microelectronics, quantum information science, and sustainability science. Whether it be through science, engineering, technology or professional services, every team member has an opportunity to make their mark on our world. PPPL aims to attract and support people with a rich variety of backgrounds, interests, experiences, and cultural viewpoints. We are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and believe that each member of our team contributes to our scientific mission in their own unique way. Come join us!

Core Duties

• In support of PPPL’s mission, utilize knowledge of PPPL strategic research directions to actively identify, receive, determine eligibility for, disseminate, communicate, and archive funding opportunities for potential PPPL research proposal authors.

• Work closely with the Deputy Director for Research, other members of the growing research support office, Research Department Heads, Associate Laboratory Directors, and Research and Engineering Staff to develop and implement internal processes and working groups to develop pre-proposal and proposal concepts to best position PPPL for funding awards.

• Coordinate communication with PPPL mission-support functions regarding proposals under development to raise awareness and integrate operational and PPPL infrastructure considerations and needs. 

• Assist in the identification of new Principal Investigators (PIs), and develop and then implement training for PIs to ensure high-quality proposals.

• Develop, utilize, and manage the PPPL internal process for down-selecting lead PIs and proposal topics, especially when the number of allowed proposal submissions is limited by funding agencies.

• Work closely with proposal PIs to facilitate, manage, and track the organization of multi-researcher and multi-institutional proposal teams to generate high quality proposals and maximize the potential for achieving funding awards.

• Develop, document, and circulate best practices for proposal development to PIs. 

• Coordinate, manage, and contribute directly to proposal development including:

  • Estimating and obtaining internal proposal development funding

  • Defining and managing proposal development timelines and deadlines

  • Editing proposal outlines and narratives

  • Development of research milestones

  • Quantifying research staff coverage levels, required funding, and timelines

  • Quantifying new research infrastructure, associated funding, and timelines

  • Developing Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plans including circulating best practices and coordinating with outreach staff within PPPL 

  • Development of data management and other funding-agency-required plans

  • Development of proposal graphics

  • Documentation of facility capabilities

  • Review / audit proposals for completion of all submission requirements

• Organize / manage proposal documentation by (for example):

  • Developing common workspaces, proposal naming conventions, and versioning

  • Developing and sharing proposal development check-lists, completion timelines, and templates 

  • Creating a contact spreadsheet where key personnel and their roles on the proposal are listed (important for large proposals with many PIs/institutions), and for tracking their proposal responsibilities and delivery

• Identify, organize, and assign red-team (can be internal and/or external) reviews of pre-applications / proposals and full applications / proposals for technical quality

• Coordinate and/or manage proposal development support staff from (for example) within PPPL and/or Princeton University, external consultancies, new hires, or other staffing mechanisms to ensure the delivery of high-quality research proposals from PPPL

• Coordinate with Princeton University’s Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) and the PPPL Budget Office (or other sponsored research office that may be formed) to ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of research proposals as required.

• Maintain records of proposal submissions, awards, funding proposed and received, and perform trending analysis to inform strategic decisions on proposal development resource allocations.  Prepare qualitative and metric-based analyses on the impacts of research proposal development services.

• Identify, document, and communicate proposal development barriers and inefficiencies and recommend and aid the implementation of improvements.  

• Generate communications describing research proposal development services and successes, such as web content, email campaigns, brochures, and periodic reports, for dissemination to a range of stakeholders.

Education and Experience

• Proven track-record of successful high-quality scientific proposal development including funding awards for large multi-institutional proposals
• Four or more years of experience working in research proposal development
• BS or BA degree required, PhD is preferred
• Active membership with one or more research administration or research development organizations is preferred
• Experience in a DOE national laboratory and/or academic institution highly preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Highly proficient in Google, Microsoft, and project management software tools
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including expertise in proposal development and effective internal communications 
• Ability to partner with PIs from a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines
• Strong project management skills with keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple simultaneous proposals with competing resource needs while consistently delivering high-quality results on time
• Proposal content development and editing skills for non-technical proposal sections 
• Strong personal initiative and self-guidance, service-orientation, and willingness to perform tasks that range from strategic to detail-oriented.

Physical Requirements

• Job is light-duty office work

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work preferred, remote and on-site work arrangements are negotiable

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from participation in certain foreign government talent recruitment programs. All PPPL employees are required to disclose any participation in a foreign government talent recruitment program and may be required to withdraw from such programs to remain employed under the DOE Contract.