What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Development Specialist position at Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26390 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Nicole Motzer
nicole.motzer@montana.edu
406-994-6879
Classification Title Research Professional Working Title Research Development Specialist Brief Position Overview
The Office of Research Development (ORD), within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED), is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Development Specialist (RDS) to support and expand research, scholarship, and creative activities across Montana State University (MSU). The RDS will join a vibrant, dedicated team of research development professionals at an exciting time, with MSU’s research activity at an all-time high. The RDS will assist with various aspects of the research enterprise, ranging from proposal submissions to event planning to campus communications and honorifics. The RDS will have opportunities to develop direct working relationships with different units and individuals across campus and contribute to the land-grant mission of MSU. The RDS will also enjoy ample professional development opportunities, such as those provided by the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP), and be encouraged to help actively shape ORD as a relatively new office.
Position Number 4C0746 Department Office of Research Development Division Office of Research and Economic Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary starting at $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Office of Research Development (ORD) provides a comprehensive portfolio of research development support to sustain and grow research excellence at MSU. ORD offers proposal development services; leads strategic research initiatives; organizes research capacity-enhancing programs, trainings and events; and fosters collaborations between various individuals and units across campus.
Duties and Responsibilities
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on May 19, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26390 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Nicole Motzer
nicole.motzer@montana.edu
406-994-6879
Classification Title Research Professional Working Title Research Development Specialist Brief Position Overview
The Office of Research Development (ORD), within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED), is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Development Specialist (RDS) to support and expand research, scholarship, and creative activities across Montana State University (MSU). The RDS will join a vibrant, dedicated team of research development professionals at an exciting time, with MSU’s research activity at an all-time high. The RDS will assist with various aspects of the research enterprise, ranging from proposal submissions to event planning to campus communications and honorifics. The RDS will have opportunities to develop direct working relationships with different units and individuals across campus and contribute to the land-grant mission of MSU. The RDS will also enjoy ample professional development opportunities, such as those provided by the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP), and be encouraged to help actively shape ORD as a relatively new office.
Position Number 4C0746 Department Office of Research Development Division Office of Research and Economic Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary starting at $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Office of Research Development (ORD) provides a comprehensive portfolio of research development support to sustain and grow research excellence at MSU. ORD offers proposal development services; leads strategic research initiatives; organizes research capacity-enhancing programs, trainings and events; and fosters collaborations between various individuals and units across campus.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive project management for proposal efforts, including establishing and adhering to timelines, convening project team meetings, assembling necessary resources, and coordinating with research administrators to submit highly competitive proposals in a timely manner.
- Contribute to proposal development, including but not limited to assisting with proposal budgets; initiating proposal records; managing proposal documents; and providing feedback and guidance on proposal strategy and competitiveness with training over time.
- Assist in identifying and disseminating funding opportunities that align with MSU’s strengths and eligibility and conduct targeted funding opportunity searches in line with researcher and institutional goals.
- Manage campus communications for ORD, including compiling award data for the monthly “Congrats to Our ‘Cats” email.
- Develop a working knowledge of Montana State University’s research enterprise to identify and facilitate research opportunities and identify potential candidates for prestigious honorifics.
- Co-organize research development events of varying size and scope, including MSU’s Research Development Day.
- Coordinate internal competitions for VPRED grants and limited submission funding opportunities.
- Assist with other activities and special projects as requested by the Director of Research Development, including maintaining boilerplate text and templates, coordinating external proposal reviews, obtaining competitive intelligence on sponsors and funding programs, and monitoring proposal metrics and outcomes.
- Bachelor’s degree and one year of research development or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other platforms for collaborative work.
- Event planning experience.
- Communications experience in large organizations.
- Research or scholarly experience.
- Excellence in writing and editing.
- Broad familiarity with the range of sponsors that fund research and scholarship.
- Track record of developing successful proposals and securing funding from external sources.
- Survey development and analysis experience.
- Familiarity with Montana or experience working in other rural EPSCoR jurisdictions.
- Support individuals from various units and backgrounds.
- Work independently as well as part of a team.
- Synthesize and translate complex information into digestible formats.
- Work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for research, scholarship, and creative activities.
- Consistently exercise initiative and good judgment and maintain a high degree of professionalism.
- Provide exemplary customer service to a variety of diverse constituents.
- Successfully manage projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
- Accept progressive increases in responsibility with minimal supervision.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on May 19, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).