Grant Writer

Updated: about 2 years ago
Location: New Hyde Park, NEW YORK
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Department
 

PME Finance and Grants


About the Department
 

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME; https://pme.uchicago.edu/) was established in May 2019 and evolved from the Institute for Molecular Engineering, which was founded in 2011. The PME integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. The PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are made possible through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering is the first new school at the University of Chicago in three decades and the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering. In the next phase of growth as a School, the PME will continue to expand its team of world-class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting-edge facilities. The PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.


Job Summary
 

The Grant Writer is responsible for leading the planning, writing, and execution of PME grants and related reports, assisting PME faculty with the same, and researching and developing strong grant proposals to support existing and emerging project/program initiatives for the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.
This position will also be responsible for leading efforts to cultivate, secure and steward new government, foundation, corporate, and individual awards. This includes, but is not limited to, providing guidance to the development team; collaborating with Program Directors on the development of grant activities; partnering with Finance and URA on effective grant management and reporting processes; directly creating or overseeing the creation of key illustrations/figures by others, and working with executive level management to identify grants and other funding opportunities.
Beyond grant writing support, this position will identify and disseminate relevant research funding opportunities to PME faculty, based on their research profiles and activity. The candidate will participate in large grant/center grant proposals, ensuring consistency across multiple writers from multiple institutions. This position will primarily compose general PME funding proposals that are not tied to an individual lab (training grants, construction grants, conference grants, etc.)

Responsibilities

  • Identifies appropriate federal and private grant opportunities.
  • Partners with faculty to identify and develop competitive proposals and develop and maintain detailed knowledge of faculty research interests and strengths.
  • Partners with faculty to translate early ideas and concepts into competitive narratives for external funding; and advise on strategies for meeting broader impacts, data management, and similar requirements.
  • Assists with developing grant writing training programs and workshops; create tools and templates to support successful proposal development.
  • Manages proposal library and funding opportunity resources.
  • Research grant opportunities from government and non-government agencies.
  • Drafts grant proposals and supporting documents based on the funding requirements of the organization.
  • Submits proposals to grant administrators for approval.
  • Responds to internal and external queries on drafted and submitted proposals.
  • Maintain records and submit reports related to grant opportunities.
  • Ensures that individual grant proposals are developed in accordance with each grant-making organization's preferences and exactly follows each grant-making organization's guidelines.
  • Develops excellent figures/illustrations for grant proposals or oversees the contracting out of figure/illustration development work.
  • Implements consistent, standardized grants management processes for administrative proposal review and sign off, data compilation, reporting checklists, etc.
  • Works with project lead(s) and finance to meet reporting requirements for grant funded projects.
  • Develops, implements, and manages well-written, high-impact and tailored grant proposals, applications, progress reports, draft budgets, and other collateral materials as needed that compellingly convey mission and direction.
  • Works with program staff to develop, write and present new or pilot proposals, developing narrative, performance outcomes, and financial/budget information for both renewal and new application submissions.
  • Collaborates to set annual, quarterly, and monthly grant-seeking goals.
  • Coordinates PME funding-related communications to faculty, e.g., announcements and mass mailings.
  • Ensures service and communication to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.
  • Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
  • Maintains directory of grant document templates that can be readily available during grant submissions (Current and Pending, Bios, Facilities, and other related documents).
  • Aids faculty in manuscript editing.
  • Coordinates grant submissions with University Research Administration.
  • Coordinates and unifies message of large center proposals.
  • Provides market analysis on different funding areas that fit within PME’s research mission.
  • Ensures service and communication to PIs, standardized information, best practices development, and that all faculty and research staff are aware of any new grant policies and changes.
  • Analyzes industry trends and remains current with agency and regulatory changes. Monitors department/ unit compliance with University, Divisional and Department policies and procedures and implements corrective actions for issues identified.
  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • Advanced degree in higher education, chemistry, physics, biology, or engineering, or related field.

Experience:

  • Progressively relevant experience.
  • Five years or more administrative and grant writing experience, preferably in a higher education research environment.
  • Grant proposal preparation and writing.
  • Successful track record in fund development.
  • Broad, interdisciplinary base of understanding of research and scholarship and the ability to communicate effectively with faculty in an array of disciplines using diverse methodological approaches.
  • Copy-editing, reviewing, and editing manuscripts.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

  • Proficiency working with a variety of grant management systems and portals and computer software programs.
  • Manuscript editing, copy-editing.
  • Excellent computer skills evidenced by proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe.
  • Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal, state and hospital regulations, laws, and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.
  • Good understanding of public (i.e., city-, state-, and federal-level) funding sources.
  • Excellent knowledge of proposal submission and fundraising process.
  • Knowledge of federal granting agency regulations.


Preferred Competencies

  • Exceptional written communication and editing skills; writes clearly and persuasively; varies writing style according to the audience.
  • Strong research skills and knowledge of information sources.
  • Study and understand programs and funding requirements of the organization.
  • Synthesizes complex and diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflows and procedures.
  • Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
  • Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress, completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.
  • Superior attention to detail demonstrates commitment to accuracy and thoroughness; evaluates RFPs and distills requirements for faculty researchers; ensures submissions meet RFP requirements.
  • Self-motivation and ability to work independently and on deadline.

Working Conditions

  • Office environment - hybrid/remote option.
  • Occasional extended work hours and some weekend days.

Application Documents

  • Cover Letter (required)
  • Resume (required)
  • Reference Contact Information – 3 (preferred)
  • Writing Sample - grant proposal, peer reviewed manuscript, or similar (required)



    When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



    Job Family
     

    Financial Management


    Role Impact
     

    Individual Contributor


    FLSA Status
     

    Exempt


    Pay Frequency
     

    Monthly


    Scheduled Weekly Hours
     

    37.5


    Benefits Eligible
     

    Yes


    Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
     

    Yes


    Drug Test Required
     

    No


    Health Screen Required
     

    No


    Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
     

    No


    Posting Statement
     

    Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
    The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

     

    Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

     

    We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

     

    All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

     

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