As a part of the Office of Research, the Office of Research Advancement strategically pursues funding opportunities, with a targeted focus on large, multidisciplinary research projects that promote collaboration and positive societal impact. The office maintains and strengthens ties between USC investigators and federal research sponsors, tracks current and emerging funding priorities among federal agencies, and helps faculty to initiate or expand sponsored research programs. The Office of Research Advancement provides support for proposal development, including but not limited to project conceptualization, team building, proposal organization and planning, writing and copy-editing, budget preparation, and proposal submission assistance.
For more information, about the Office of Research Advancement, please visit our website at: https://ora.usc.edu/
The Office of Research Advancement is seeking a Senior Grant Writer to join its team. The Senior Grant Writer is responsible for serving as the lead writing contact in the preparation of highly competitive, research grant proposals. The Senior Grant Writer will balance writing tasks with additional proposal administrative duties, including arranging and coordinating meetings with the proposal team, serving as the funding opportunity announcement expert, and coordinating with other staff to ensure the completion of supplemental, required submission materials. The Senior Grant Writer evaluates the needs of the proposal and develops proposal strategy and course of action after developing a deep understanding of the program content and requirements. The position determines proposal concepts, compiles and evaluates data sources, and provides guidance and leadership to non-senior grant writers by reviewing their work and suggesting improvements, as necessary.
Job Accountabilities:
Prepares, writes and maintains a portfolio of highly competitive, technical and/or complex research grant proposals/applications. Revises and edits drafts provided by researchers, including executive summaries, research plans, facilities and organizational resources. Reviews final application by evaluating text, graphics, and binding.
Evaluates the overall needs of the proposal and determines proposal strategy, direction and course of action. Develops proposals by assembling information to be used in background sections, preliminary studies, scientific deliverables, Gantt charts, timetables, and evaluation plans.
Develops a deep understanding of program content to ensure integrity and quality of proposal writing. Coordinates and compiles scientific and/or technical information from principal investigators and researchers as necessary for research grants, consortium grants, and training grants. Creates special reports, summaries and analyses.
Determines proposal concepts by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs. Studies requests for proposal (RFPs). Coordinates overall strategy with faculty and other stakeholders, and advises on policies and procedures related to proposal preparation, as needed.
Provides guidance and leadership to less experienced grant writers by reading, evaluating, critiquing and making suggestions for improvements in their work, as necessary. Provides mentorship to new writers, as required.
Interprets and follows sponsor regulations, requirements, guidelines and instructions. Meets proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval. Coordinates requirements with contributors. Contributes proposal status information to review meetings.
Identifies, researches, compiles and evaluates data sources and background information in specialty area(s). Identifies and communicates risks associated with proposals.
Maintains awareness and knowledge of changes in industry trends. Incorporates changes and advises researchers on best practices. Maintains subscriptions to relevant publications and memberships in professional organizations, as appropriate. Cultivates and maintains a network of professional contacts, as applicable.
Researches, identifies and qualifies funding opportunities from corporate, foundation, and government sources for specific projects and programs. Makes recommendations whether funding organizations are a good match for projects and programs.
Applies technical expertise to strengthen and improve proposal-writing process by evaluating and re-designing strategies, approaches, and policies. Implements changes as needed.
Compiles and organizes references into one coherent library or list for faculty. Builds reference libraries for faculty and other grant writers as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree.
5 years of experience.
Demonstrated experience managing all aspects of proposal management, from project conceptualization through submission.
Proficiency in working across and integrating a variety of academic fields.
Familiarity with federal agency requirements and funding priorities for large, interdisciplinary awards.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Demonstrated experience writing effective technical materials of a scientific nature, working with scientific documents and advising/assisting authors. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.