Research Grant Writer
Meharry Medical College

Job Info

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The Research Grant Writer contributes to the success of the College's research enterprise by assisting the Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation and OfRI staff in developing successful new and continuation research grant applications to Federal and other funding agencies. This position will focus on supporting grant writing for proposals and projects with institution-wide applicability. It will also support the advancement of Meharry's research portfolio by providing a full range of substantive editing on research proposals, research publications, including scientific manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals, and other written products.

Daily Operations

• Participate in proposal development meetings and engage in scientific writing for grant applications to federal funding agencies, non-profit funding organizations, and foundations, as well as university intramural opportunities.
• Write, edit, proof-read, and format institutional grant proposals for submission, resubmission, and peer review, including domestic, international, multi-disciplinary, and multi-site project proposals.
• Analyze complex funding solicitations by creating master lists of required content, developing preliminary proposal outlines, tracking updates to solicitations and/or FAQs.
• Create, revise and edit drafts of content submitted by proposal team members including executive summaries, graphics, tables, conclusions, and organization credentials.
• Assist with project management of proposal process. Compile and assemble proposal contents.
• Maintain master calendar of grants submission deadlines, library of grant proposal support documents, funding templates, associated files, and correspondence.
• Assist award implementation team in drafting compelling progress reports, targeted program updates, and/or research publications as directed by supervisor.
• Advise proposal team members regarding rhetorical strategy, help maintain consistency between various pieces of content as details shift and provide close editing of narrative and basic formatting assistance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Thorough knowledge and ability to apply all relevant Federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and federal guidance documents. Proven experience in keeping up with new requirements for grant proposals, such as formats and proposal components, of federal, state and private granting agencies.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Proven ability to write and submit successful grant applications, particularly large collaborative science and transdisciplinary grants.
• Thorough understanding of the role of research and grant funding at a research-intensive academic institution.
• Proven program planning and project management skills. Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects. Ability to complete work and meet established deadlines in an accurate and timely manner, and to manage short and competing deadlines.
• Experience with planning large complex proposal development initiatives. Proven management skills with the ability to maintain focus and to operate in an organized and effective manner in an environment that may have rapidly shifting demands and priorities.
• Strong ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. Advanced skills analyzing and presenting data. Proven ability to grasp and communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Attention to detail to ensure proper and consistent editorial formatting of large grant submissions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Principal Investigators, faculty, and staff at all levels of the Institution to accomplish grant development and initiative goals.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting federal grant proposals, grant budget development, writing letters of intent, and writing letters of support.
• Experience using Microsoft Office software and applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc..)
• PREFERRED
• In-depth experience writing about science for both technical reviewers and the public as well as writing science proposals for government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Experience with grant management tracking systems and databases, experience utilizing web portals for grant submission to various agencies.
• Advanced background in biological sciences, life sciences, social science, computer science, public health, biostatistics, or other applicable academic field as evidenced by an advanced degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance requirements, policies and procedures relating to research, and research facilities, as well as knowledge of research reporting, databases, and systems.
• Experience in disease-related scientific writing

Required Education and Experience

• Required: PhD in biological sciences with a degree in English and ten (10) years of professional grant writing experience OR an advanced degree in related area plus five (5) years of related experience/training.
• Experience working in a scientific research, medical research, or higher education environment.
• Experience writing successfully funded proposals for submission to federal agencies, corporations, and foundations.

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