Job Summary

We are seeking a candidate who possesses a strong research background, exceptional grant-writing skills, and the ability to lead complex projects that advance innovation and economic development initiatives. This role will lead grant development and management activities, support Utah organizations in securing external funding, and conduct research and analysis on key statewide innovation and economic development priorities.

The Nucleus Institute team at the Utah System of Higher Education is ardently engaged in steering a multitude of pioneering projects within the state, each designed to harness the innovative capital of Utah's academic and economic vitality. Notably, the team is at the forefront of the Innovation District at The Point project, designing and activating Convergence Hall, an innovation Campus. This ambitious project is a nexus where academia, industry leaders, and policy makers converge to foster a symbiotic ecosystem, encouraging the exchange of ideas and the nurturing of innovation. The environment is meticulously designed to spur research and development, start-up incubation, and collaborative opportunities that can translate academic research into tangible societal benefits.

Furthermore, the team is instrumental in managing the $40 million Nucleus Fund. This significant investment underscores Utah's commitment to economic progression by methodically commercializing a range of breakthrough technologies. These are discoveries, advancements, or developments that are connected within Utah's higher education institutions. By providing essential capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, the fund aims to shepherd these innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace, thereby solidifying Utah's reputation as a crucible of innovation.

Additionally, the Nucleus Institute supports a variety of programs and events across the Utah deep tech ecosystem including Nucleus Grow, Utah Policy Innovation Lab, ProLab, MarketEdge, and Global. All of these programs support the commercialization and innovation of deep tech research and development.

Grant Development & Management

• Identify, evaluate, and maintain a pipeline of federal, state, foundation, and industry grant opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals and funding applications.
• Coordinate with the organization's grant support partners to ensure high-quality proposal development, compliance, and submission processes.
• Manage grant timelines, deliverables, reporting requirements, and post-award compliance activities.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop project scopes, budgets, work plans, and evaluation metrics.
• Monitor funding trends and emerging grant opportunities relevant to innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, research commercialization, and economic development.
• Maintain records of grant activities, funding outcomes, proposal submissions, and reporting obligations.

Research & Analysis

• Conduct original research and analysis on innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic development trends impacting Utah.
• Lead data collection, literature reviews, benchmarking studies, and policy research to support organizational initiatives.
• Develop research reports, white papers, policy briefs, and presentations for public and private sector stakeholders.
• Serve as a lead researcher for the Nucleus Institute's annual State of Innovation Report and related publications.
• Analyze Utah's innovation ecosystem and identify opportunities to strengthen research commercialization, startup formation, talent development, and capital formation.
• Support the development of metrics and frameworks for measuring innovation ecosystem performance and impact.

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Support

• Provide grant support and technical assistance to Utah-based startups, universities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and community partners seeking external funding.
• Facilitate collaboration among research institutions, industry partners, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization in meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder engagements across Utah's innovation ecosystem.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to attend events outside of normal working hours as needed.
• Willingness to travel for projects, meetings, and institutional site visits.