LaunchTN is a 501c3 nonprofit partnership building an ecosystem of support for every startup and investor in Tennessee. As a public-private partnership, we are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration among founders, investors, researchers, private sector institutions, and government. We foster entrepreneurship, technology advancement, and workforce development by providing capital access, commercialization support, and connections.

A key LaunchTN initiative is the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), a statewide technology transfer and commercialization support network. TTAC empowers faculty and student innovators at Tennessee higher education institutions to bring their groundbreaking research to market by providing resources, expertise, and connections to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem within Tennessee’s universities.

Our core values are:

Not just thinking outside the box, but breaking it
Putting people first in everything we do
Going further together through collaboration
Being accessible and welcoming always
Being driven to serve
Life’s too short not to love what you do!

Position Overview:

The Research Development Manager plays a critical role in advancing early-stage technology development by supporting innovators and companies in securing non-dilutive federal R&D funding and navigating commercialization pathways. This position focuses on three core areas: (1) managing SBIR/STTR grant support through LaunchTN’s SBA FAST program, (2) administering the State of Tennessee SBIR/STTR Matching Fund, and (3) supporting TTAC stakeholders and deep-tech startups in pursuing grant and federal R&D funding for commercially promising technologies. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about enabling technology-driven economic growth across Tennessee.

Key Responsibilities:

— SBIR/STTR Grant Support (SBA FAST Program)

Lead LaunchTN’s SBIR/STTR support services, including company intake, evaluation, coaching, and proposal development assistance
Manage the SBIR/STTR Microgrant Program, including applicant selection and coordination with third-party grant writing consultants
Develop and lead SBIR/STTR proposal cohorts aligned with agency solicitation timelines and funding cycles
Conduct outreach and host educational workshops to increase awareness and preparedness for SBIR/STTR applications
Track and report program metrics (e.g., applications submitted, awards secured, total funding leveraged)
Work with the marketing team to highlight success stories and build visibility of Tennessee’s federal R&D grant pipeline and the development team for reporting compliance
Support delivery of commercialization training and technical assistance as outlined in LaunchTN’s SBA FAST grant

— SBIR/STTR Matching Fund administration

Administer the State of Tennessee SBIR/STTR Matching Fund, including application intake, eligibility review, award notifications, and fund disbursements
Conduct mid-year and annual portfolio evaluations to assess performance and gather data on commercial outcomes
Collect and share success stories and connect awardees to other resources (e.g., InvestTN, accelerators, university partners)
Benchmark Tennessee’s Matching Fund against peer states and implement improvements to ensure continued competitiveness
Promote the Matching Fund as a recruitment tool for high-potential startups seeking to relocate or expand in Tennessee

— University research development and TTAC support

Support the TTAC Proof of Concept and Technology Maturation Grant programs by tracking project progress, milestone achievement, and commercial outcomes
Engage Tennessee faculty and research staff to pursue STTR opportunities and collaborative R&D proposals with industry partners
Identify and share funding opportunities for early-stage research and innovation, including federal, state, and foundation grants
Provide one-on-one support to faculty and research teams on proposal strategy, teaming, and funder alignment
Collaborate with TTAC institutions to grow research development capacity and enhance Tennessee’s innovation infrastructure

Required qualifications:

Advanced degree in science, engineering, or a related field, with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience
Familiarity with grantmaking processes, including proposal review, selection criteria, award administration, and reporting requirements
Proficient in documentation, record-keeping, and managing grant or project tracking systems
Experience designing and delivering educational content, including in-person and virtual workshops or training sessions
Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Team-oriented and mission-driven, with a collaborative and proactive approach to supporting innovation and research commercialization

Preferred qualifications:

Prior experience working within a university, academic research setting, or R&D-driven company environment
Experience developing or supporting grant proposals, particularly for research and innovation funding (e.g., SBIR/STTR, federal, foundation, or institutional grants)
Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex research or technologies for technical feasibility, commercial potential, and societal impact

What success will look like

In the first 3 Months

Demonstrated integration into Tennessee’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem
Gained working knowledge of SBIR/STTR programs through internal onboarding, external training, and direct engagement with agency programs and representatives
Begun hosting SBIR/STTR-focused outreach sessions and administering proposal support to early-stage applicants
Provided administrative support for the SBIR/STTR Matching Fund application cycle
Helped establish processes for tracking and engaging faculty-led research projects in collaboration with the TTAC team
Launched the TTAC Proof of Concept Program by refining program guidelines, implementing a centralized application process, and managing a cross-institutional technology review and selection process

In the first 6 months

Launched and maintained SBIR+ — a structured engagement pipeline that connects research faculty and startup companies pursuing joint R&D opportunities
Built name recognition among TTAC institutions, startup founders, university tech transfer staff, and other key stakeholders across the state
Developed and distributed a regular SBIR/STTR-focused newsletter and managed a targeted CRM list for outreach
Established a repeatable intake-to-decision workflow for future Proof of Concept cycles, including program documentation and shared resources for TTAC partners
Built visibility for the Proof of Concept program through marketing coordination, campus engagement, and promotion of selected technologies

By the end of year 1

Increased the volume and quality of SBIR/STTR proposals involving Tennessee research institutions or originating from faculty teams
Maintained or improved a 40% success rate for LaunchTN-supported SBIR/STTR applications
Helped more companies win first-time SBIR/STTR awards, with successful awardees progressing to secure follow-on funding from programs such as InvestTN
Able to wholly own, administer, and improve the FY27 SBIR/STTR Matching Fund.
Delivered a comprehensive report on the TTAC Proof of Concept Program, including project outcomes, milestone achievements, and commercial follow-on indicators (e.g., SBIR/STTR proposals, industry engagement, IP filings)
Identified at least 3 projects that advanced beyond proof of concept and secured follow-on funding or partnership interest
Delivered a comprehensive report on the TTAC Proof of Concept Program, including project outcomes, milestone achievements, and commercial follow-on indicators (e.g., SBIR/STTR proposals, industry engagement, IP filings)

Compensation & perks

Salary Pay Range: $70–85K, based on experience and qualifications
Healthcare: LaunchTN covers 80% of individual/partner/family health, dental, and vision insurance through the State of Tennessee
401(K) Retirement: Flat 8% employer contribution
Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
Paid Time Off: 4 weeks PTO + federal holidays + office closure from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day + day off for your birthday
Other Perks: $90/month cell phone stipend, $50/month wellness stipend, pet-friendly office, and flexible remote work options

Funding Notice

This position is partially supported through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program, with LaunchTN serving as the statewide administrator through at least FY28. While LaunchTN is a Tennessee-based organization and team members are expected to reside in the state, we will consider applicants based in the Washington, DC area or with prior federal SBIR/STTR grantmaking experience due to the unique nature of this role and its alignment with national R&D programs.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form here and attach a resume or CV.

Selected candidates will be invited to a first-round interview with the hiring manager. Finalists will be asked to provide a writing or work sample relevant to the position and participate in a panel interview with other LaunchTN team members. References will be requested prior to extending an offer. Our goal is to make a final hiring decision within four weeks of posting the position.

Launch Tennessee is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply now

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LaunchTN initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, technology advancement, capital formation and workforce development are funded through a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

1321 6th Ave N., Nashville, TN 37208 615.991.2809 | info@launchtn.org