Proposal Development Specialist - NCSA
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, us, 61803
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides advanced digital resources for the nation's scientific enterprise. University faculty, staff, students, and collaborators from around the world use these resources to address and research grand challenges for the benefit of science and society. NCSA has been advancing one-third of Fortune 50 companies for more than 30 years by bringing industry, researchers, and students together to solve grand challenges at rapid speed and scale. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
Job Summary The Proposal Development Specialist will provide support for sponsored research proposal development and submissions for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. This position will work with stakeholders to prepare and submit federal and non-federal grants and contracts proposals.
Duties & Responsibilities
Prepare complex budgets and justifications that may include cost share and/or subawards.
Assist researchers with senior personnel documents, sponsor supplementary documents, and other documents required for proposal submission.
Counsel NCSA staff and affiliates on the pre‑award process; review and understand research solicitations, interpret proposal guidelines, and submission requirements in accordance with university and agency regulations.
Conduct thorough proposal reviews to ensure compliance with solicitation guidelines and that all submissions have the required components as spelled out in the funding announcement.
Work directly with proposers and SPA when a proposal is pending and additional information is requested (e.g., revised budgets, salary and rate confirmations, additional budget justifications).
Facilitate communication among stakeholders, including the funding agency, Sponsored Research Administration (SPA), and other personnel involved in the proposal development process.
Enter and upload all documents and budget information into the sponsor portal as needed.
Initiate internal record in myProposals portal to send completed proposal to SPA for review and approval.
Assist in updating internal templates and job aids as they relate to the NCSA processes.
Participate in campus research administration community through attendance at meetings and conferences offered by the Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS), SPA, Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC), and the Research Development Community (RDC).
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a related field.
Experience in a business, academic, research and/or government setting.
Preferred Qualifications
UIUC Certified Sponsored Research Administrator.
Minimum of two years’ experience working in a university research environment; experience in sponsored research administration; familiarity with University of Illinois policies and systems.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Exceptional customer service skills including strong written and verbal communication; ability to work as part of a fast‑paced team; working knowledge of MS Office products, especially MS Excel and Word; effective analytical and problem‑solving skills; must be able to multi‑task and meet deadlines.
Working knowledge of data reporting systems; prior experience with UIUC’s proposal systems.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Civil Service 5040 – Grants and Contracts Associate position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after February 8, 2026. The minimum salary range for this position is $55,000.00. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Sunday, February 16, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact kiener2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217‑333‑2137.
Benefits This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non‑discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E‑Verify.
Accessibility Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217‑333‑0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
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Job Summary The Proposal Development Specialist will provide support for sponsored research proposal development and submissions for the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. This position will work with stakeholders to prepare and submit federal and non-federal grants and contracts proposals.
Duties & Responsibilities
Prepare complex budgets and justifications that may include cost share and/or subawards.
Assist researchers with senior personnel documents, sponsor supplementary documents, and other documents required for proposal submission.
Counsel NCSA staff and affiliates on the pre‑award process; review and understand research solicitations, interpret proposal guidelines, and submission requirements in accordance with university and agency regulations.
Conduct thorough proposal reviews to ensure compliance with solicitation guidelines and that all submissions have the required components as spelled out in the funding announcement.
Work directly with proposers and SPA when a proposal is pending and additional information is requested (e.g., revised budgets, salary and rate confirmations, additional budget justifications).
Facilitate communication among stakeholders, including the funding agency, Sponsored Research Administration (SPA), and other personnel involved in the proposal development process.
Enter and upload all documents and budget information into the sponsor portal as needed.
Initiate internal record in myProposals portal to send completed proposal to SPA for review and approval.
Assist in updating internal templates and job aids as they relate to the NCSA processes.
Participate in campus research administration community through attendance at meetings and conferences offered by the Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS), SPA, Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC), and the Research Development Community (RDC).
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or a related field.
Experience in a business, academic, research and/or government setting.
Preferred Qualifications
UIUC Certified Sponsored Research Administrator.
Minimum of two years’ experience working in a university research environment; experience in sponsored research administration; familiarity with University of Illinois policies and systems.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Exceptional customer service skills including strong written and verbal communication; ability to work as part of a fast‑paced team; working knowledge of MS Office products, especially MS Excel and Word; effective analytical and problem‑solving skills; must be able to multi‑task and meet deadlines.
Working knowledge of data reporting systems; prior experience with UIUC’s proposal systems.
Appointment Information This is a 100% full‑time Civil Service 5040 – Grants and Contracts Associate position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after February 8, 2026. The minimum salary range for this position is $55,000.00. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Sunday, February 16, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact kiener2@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217‑333‑2137.
Benefits This position is intended to be eligible for benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Equal Opportunity The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non‑discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E‑Verify.
Accessibility Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217‑333‑0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
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