How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The primary mission of the University of Michigan Medical School Office of Research is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Medical School research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact. To that end, our team constantly strives to enhance the research enterprise, including maintaining an investigator-focused infrastructure, facilitating and diversifying investigators' avenues for funding, and streamlining research processes.
The Medical School Office of Research has numerous reporting units and programs such as the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), the Clinical Research Calendar Review & Analysis Office, the Fast Forward Medical Innovation, the Biomedical Research Core Facilities, the Institutional Review Board, and the Medical School Grant Services & Analysis (GS&A) Office. Together, these teams provide the necessary support to position our researchers for success.
In our Grant Services & Analysis Office, we are seeking a Proposal Support Specialist (Research Area Specialist Senior) to support faculty in the development and submission of large, complex, and interdisciplinary research proposals. This position will provide high-level project management support to research teams submitting large team grants (LTGs) and help faculty members develop compelling proposals to compete successfully for research funding.
Mission Statement
Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.
Who We Are
As a premier, research-intensive academic medical center, the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) is world renowned with more than $800 million in external research funding. The Medical School Office of Research proudly supports our internationally recognized investigators doing innovative science to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, the citizens of Michigan, and beyond.
Grant Services & Analysis serves several functions for the Medical School and Michigan Medicine. GS&A is the central hub of research development, pre- and post-award administration of sponsored projects, and provides data analytics about research within the Medical School. GS&A designs and implements grant-related training and resources for the UMMS research community and beyond. In addition, GS&A advocates for and adopts enterprise-level tools and resources to aid investigators and support staff in efficient and high-quality research support. The office includes research development professionals who support proposal development, with the goal of helping UMMS faculty obtain and maintain research funding.
Who We are Looking For:
We seek a Proposal Development Specialist (Research Area Specialist Senior) to support research development activities and work with faculty and other researchers to develop and submit grant proposals to federal and non-federal funding agencies. The chosen candidate will join the Large Team Grant (LTG) Core to coordinate the development of research project proposals for UMMS researchers, with a focus on large, collaborative grants in the biomedical sciences. The successful candidate will help manage multiple competing projects that are deadline and milestone driven.
Responsibilities*
- Develop and maintain familiarity with federal sponsor trends and funding opportunities, as well as alignment with UMMS strategic initiatives. Communicate funding opportunities to researchers and facilitate collaborations.
- Analyze and interpret NOFOs, BAAs and other funding opportunities to execute a project plan for research teams according to funding guidelines. Work closely with faculty and staff to understand sponsors? funding priorities and existing university resources to develop competitive proposals that align with agency requirements.
- Develop templates, tools and other written resources to assist investigators with large team grant development. Create tailored checklists and timelines for research teams submitting large-scale grants using sponsor guidelines; assign roles and responsibilities to team members.
- Responsible for managing research team members at UMMS, U-M, and partner institutions in grant proposal writing and development to ensure timelines are met; coordinate and facilitate team meetings and communications using project management software.
- Coordinate and facilitate Specific Aims Sprints during the initial stages of proposal development. Coordinate and manage Red Team reviews before grant submission by identifying and engaging subject matter experts. Facilitate institutional support (e.g., obtain letters of support, financial matching).
- Assist with reviewing ancillary proposal components (e.g., data management plans, biosketches, facilities and resources, letters of support, etc.) Maintain and update existing resources such as the LTG SharePoint, current funding announcements, and templates.
- Work within Research Development to promote best practices for proposal management, including developing templates, boilerplates, and samples to support biomedical grant submissions. Assist with research development activities and grant development workshops.
- Collect data on program activity performance. Review progress and evaluate results.
Required Qualifications*
- Scientific background with professional experience preferred. Generally demonstrated through a Master's degree or equivalent experience. Bachelor's degree required.
- A minimum of five years' experience in research development, research administration, or proposal development, particularly with NIH grants and large-scale proposals.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills with a passion for supporting faculty.
- Demonstrated project management, time management, and organizational skills; results oriented with the ability to successfully sustain multiple deadline-driven initiatives simultaneously under limited supervision
- Strong writing and communication skills.
- Ability to deal effectively and persuasively with individuals of authority; think strategically, analyze logically, and exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to interact effectively with various audiences and represent the Office of Research Grant Services & Analysis office as needed.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
- Ability to use computers and computer software with ease (including Microsoft Word, Excel, web-based tools, and similar software), and the ability and flexibility to learn new skills as different duties arise.
Desired Qualifications*
- PhD in a recognized field of biomedical science.
- Experience working with faculty and staff in an academic research environment or science/technology-related organization.
- Experience managing the development of competitive proposals for funding and knowledge of effective proposal processes, procedures, and techniques for identifying funding opportunities.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.