Who Are We?

Cornell is a leading university in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its AI Initiative reflects a broad vision for accelerating AI research and education. Through partnership across academia, industry, philanthropy and government, the AI Initiative promotes new research in foundational AI, its design and impact as a human-facing technology, the development of AI for new applications, new educational offerings in AI, and the innovative use of AI in education and administration.

The position will be housed in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science (Cornell Bowers). With departments in computer science, information science, and statistics and data science, Cornell Bowers is a research and educational hub for the fields that power today's global information economy. The college's unique vision and commitment to developing state-of-the-art technologies and understanding the societal and human impact of those technologies, allows for new understandings, ethical approaches, and forward-looking technologies.

What You Will Do

This is a 4-year benefits eligible term position with the possibility of renewal based on available funding and performance.

Cornell University seeks a Research Development Director as part of its university-wide AI Initiative (https://ai.cornell.edu/). The Research Development Director will lead research development as part of the AI Initiative with a focus on government partnerships. This includes the responsibility for developing and executing a strategic vision for fundraising, and enabling faculty research development through visioning with faculty, team formation, proposal development, and active government relations management. The Research Development Director will also collaborate with partners who lead philanthropic, foundation, and corporate fundraising efforts.

As the Research Development Director, this position will develop and lead proposal development advancement services for the AI Initiative to increase the success of principal investigators (PIs) in obtaining external funding in AI and related areas, primarily in competitions for large, extramural, multi-investigator grants and contracts, including multi-disciplinary center, institute or facility proposals, training grants, and other major awards that can have particularly significant impact in advancing Cornell’s research enterprise. This position, in collaboration with eligible Principal Investigators (PIs), leads the execution of proposals and applications which reflect the superior quality and robust competitiveness of Cornell University research.

The position is partially funded by the AI Initiative and the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. The Research Development Director will work under the direction of the Faculty Director of the AI Initiative, and in collaboration with colleagues that focus on other aspects of the AI Initiative. With considerable latitude for exercising judgment and self-direction, the person in this position will work directly with the Faculty Director of the AI Initiative, the provost office and other Cornell leadership, college Deans and administrators, PIs from across the whole university, the Vice Provost for Teaching Innovation, the Chief Information Officer, and the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation (OVPRI) research administration staff to support PIs in proposal development and submission. Together with these campus partners, the Research Development Director will develop and provide information, training, and other resources for PIs and the broader research community to increase and facilitate participation in competitions for external funding in AI and related areas to enhance overall proposal development expertise and success across the campus.

The Research Development Director will establish and manage relationships with government funding agencies. This includes communication with Program Managers at government funding agencies to identify funding opportunities relevant for Cornell, to clarify criteria for improving the success of proposals, and to communicate ideas about new funding areas for government agencies to consider for future calls.

The Research Development Director will coordinate inter-institutional proposal development activities that require the creation and fostering of relationships between and amongst colleges, schools, and institutions with shared or complementary research interests and expertise. The Research Development Director will collaborate with PIs to translate research, program ideas, and concepts into specific practical proposal concepts for external funding and will establish infrastructure, processes, resources, and guidelines to facilitate collaboration among university PIs to reduce administrative burden and provide support for high quality, externally funded projects.

This position will:

• Create and implement research development strategies for funding in AI.

• Facilitate the formation of teams within Cornell and beyond Cornell for proposal development.

• Provide faculty with expertise and support in proposal development to create competitive funding proposals.

• Build relationships with funding agencies and other government stakeholders, and contribute to such activities for other stakeholders.

• Cultivate and foster positive relationships with leadership and faculty across Cornell.

• Identify and monitor key performance indicators and metrics to measure the impact, success, and effectiveness of the research development activities.

• Communicate and share information with collaborators working in philanthropic, corporate and foundation fundraising capacities.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience in research development with government agencies.

• Strong understanding of the research landscape, including current funding trends and agency priorities.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and understand funding agency, corporation, foundation, or other solicitor program priorities, policies, politics, and deadlines.

• Significant depth of experience in and knowledge about AI.

• Track record of leadership and project management skills.

• Superior oral and written communication skills.

• Advanced degree (PhD or Master) and at least 5 years of increasing responsibility in relevant sectors or industries. 

• Ability to understand and navigate formal and informal decision-making networks and communicate effectively with various stakeholders within a highly decentralized organization and with individuals external to it.

• Proven success in leading projects through influence and collaboration.

• Service oriented with the ability to make judgments and have integrity to effectively serve faculty while protecting, representing, and advancing the University's best interests.

• Excellent critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills and an energy level conducive to working in a deadline-driven environment.

• This position requires the ability to travel to Ithaca Main Campus a minimum of 2-3 times per year.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with government stakeholders.

• Research experience and/or managing a research operation in a large, decentralized organization, preferably in academia or corporate R&D setting. 

Important Notes About Applying

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

• The priority deadline for applications is May 2nd, 2025.

• There is no visa sponsorship available for this position.

• The hiring offer for this position may be up to $165,000.00 depending on education, experience, and relevant skills.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State. If desired by the successful applicant, this role can also have partial or full on-site presence.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.  

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: https://hr.cornell.edu/benefits-pay.  

• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.  

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. 

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/your-total-rewards.

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

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Cornell University's history of diversity and inclusion encourages all students, faculty and staff to support a diverse and inclusive university in which to work, study, teach, research and serve. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

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