The Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery (BCASD) within the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University is seeking a highly skilled candidate to enhance the bio-energy, structural biology, and technology development portfolio of the Center with an extensive track record of developing winning proposals to the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and other federal, corporate, or private agencies.

The Research Development Scientist position leads a dynamic team of faculty investigators in BCASD to develop innovative scientific proposals that are attentive to the sponsors needs and aligned with the Center’s mission. Primarily focuses on expanding in areas of photosynthesis, materials science, structure-based methods, including work with X- ray Free Electron Lasers, electron diffraction, and electron microscopy.

This position will work in a rich scientific environment within the Biodesign Institute, and closely interact with colleagues, graduate students, postdocs and faculty members to help coordinate strategic research projects by facilitating teamwork and meeting deliverables to enable new funding opportunities. The BCASD faculty include internationally renowned experts in the fields ranging from bio-energy, bio-medicine, biochemistry, physical sciences, structural biology, and X-ray physics.

The Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery is a research center within the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University that focuses on new innovative methods for the determination of the structure and dynamics of biomolecules, which are applied to the fields of energy conversion and medicine.

The mission of the "Center for Applied Structural Discovery" is the elucidation of the structure and dynamics of biomolecules with direct application in bioenergy conversion and in medicine for the cure of diseases.

The center follows a new concept where advances in technology are combined with structure-based rationale design of developing new catalysts for energy conversion and the structure-based design of novel drugs, leading to clinical studies. Thereby scientific discoveries are directly applied to advance in medical treatment of patients. Following this unique concept from structure to the patient, novel biophysical techniques will be developed that include high resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy combined with visionary new techniques of femto- and attosecond Free Electron X-ray laser Science that will allow us to determine molecular movies of biomolecules at work.

Essential Duties:

Proposal Development

• Identifying promising funding opportunities, gathering strategic intelligence on the funder’s needs and history, and helping build an experienced team to address the need.
• Developing key proposal concepts with faculty, recruiting collaborators and facilitating team meetings.
• Integrating technical content from subject matter experts.
• Providing critical review for relevance, significance, fit, potential pitfalls and alternative strategies.
• Developing knowledge of the core strengths and capabilities of faculty in the center and collaborators in the Biodesign Institute, ASU and external to ASU.
• Serving as a liaison between faculty and the research administration team.
• Performing line-by-line editing of all scientific content to ensure readability and completeness.
• Writing ancillary proposal sections, such as drafting letters of support, data management plans and mentoring plans.
• Ensuring visually pleasing proposal layout of text and graphics and work with faculty and Biodesign communications team developing compelling schemes and summary graphics.

Project Coordination

• Facilitating meetings of large interdisciplinary research teams, establishing and maintaining collaboration tools, providing technical feedback on results and mentoring to researchers.
• Coordinating project deliverables, integrating technical content for project reports, and ensuring quality submissions are made on time.

Working Environment: 

• Activities are primarily performed in a regular, climate controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, standing, walking.
• Visual acuity and manual dexterity associated with daily use of desktop computer; bending, stooping, reaching and lifting up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally in English, read, write, see, and hear to perform essential duties. Regular review of completed tasks.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biology, physics, chemistry, engineering or related technical field and 3-5 years research experience.
• Expert in translational science, experimental design, data analytic, and instrumentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to articulate compelling and impactful science.
• Adept at working in interdisciplinary scientific teams.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience reviewing grant proposals and coordinating scientific projects and teams to produce high quality results.
• Effectively coordinate multiple projects, set schedules, and track items to completion.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Problem solver, confident, proactive, and resourceful.
• Good interpersonal skills and follow through to build strong relationships and trust with faculty.
• Ability to put team first and incorporate ideas from other faculty.
• Team player, good listener, and flexible.
• Ability to effectively coordinate teams of 3–6 faculty, and occasionally teams of 10–15 faculty.
• Proficient with MS office (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), MS Windows, audio/video technology (e.g., Zoom, etc.), and online collaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs, Dropbox, OneDrive).

Applicants are responsible for including a cover letter, CV, and the names of three professional references in their application through the Interfolio website https://apply.interfolio.com/95101. Emailed applications will not be accepted. 

The initial application deadline is October 21, 2021.  Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

For the seventh year in a row, ASU has been named the most innovative school in the nation, recognizing the university's culture of groundbreaking research and partnerships, as well as its commitment to helping students thrive in college and beyond. U.S. News and World Report has named ASU as the most innovative university all seven years the category has existed.

ASU Knowledge Enterprise advances research, innovation, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and international development. Our success arises from solutions-focused, interdisciplinary research; an entrepreneurial approach that is embedded in every school and department; and a commitment to transform society in a positive way. http://research.asu.edu/