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Position Summary 

Wiess School of Natural Sciences is seeking a Proposal Preparation Specialist to provide advanced and varied support to departments to facilitate the grant proposal development process and track activities. They will lead and advise faculty and research personnel on how to plan, prepare, and write grant proposals to enable highly competitive extramural research funding (e.g. federal agencies, state agencies, industry, or foundations). 

This role necessitates autonomous and analytical thinking to excel a fast-paced, deadline-oriented setting. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive knowledge of pertinent federal and state statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures while also demonstrating proficiency in interpreting those of other sponsoring organizations.

This position entails work on Rice University’s campus, with the potential for some remote work/flexible work arrangements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
• 3 years of experience in Pre-Award Research Administration

Skills

• Initiative and ability to work independently and as a team member
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize one’s own workload
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Ability to work under deadline pressure

Essential Functions

• Efficiently evaluate Funding Opportunity Announcements, develop proposal preparation timelines, templates, checklists, and track proposal development efforts.
• Understand, explain, and clarify various agency’s proposal requirements and review processes.
• Develop and analyze proposal budgets in accordance with sponsor guidelines and University research policies.
• Organize and facilitate faculty teams to prepare large-scale, complex, multidisciplinary proposals, including collaborative opportunities across the University and multi-research organizations.
• Research and assist in writing non-technical content of proposals.
• Perform careful review of the scientific, technical, and/or scholarly narrative sections of proposals to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and with research policies of the University.
• Serve as a liaison with faculty, administrators, and SPARC to ensure timely and successful proposal submissions.
• Develop professional written communications to sponsor agencies, organizations, and key stakeholders.
• Interact and collaborate with agencies, faculty, and departmental award management staff to support the successful life cycle of funded projects.
• Lead training and development sessions designed for faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and/or undergraduate students on topics related to the development of proposals for external grant funds
• Assist in preparing ad hoc administrative projects such as proposal archives, reports and proposal writing tips.
• Perform all other duties as assigned
• Prepare and update proposal documents (revised budgets, JIT documentation, etc.) as needed prior to execution of an award.

Additional Functions

• Informs the principal investigator (PI) of all proposal preparation requirements and ensures guidelines are followed for proposal formatting, all documents required, and submission requirements.
• Monitors compliance with agency and University regulations regarding submission; verifies all financial information
• Verifies Cayuse records and works with the Office of Sponsored Projects for submission to sponsors

Preferences

• Experience in a University setting
• Cayuse SP experience
• Knowledge of federal agencies' submission processes
• PCRA or CRA Certification

Rice University HR | Benefits 

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values

Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.