Project Officer - Strategic Research Programs - Regular Full Time (2023-4614)

The Strategic Research Programs (SRP) office at SRI provides grant and project administration support for research and infrastructure, research analytics, special projects, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives related to research administration. Applications coordinated by SRP include Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canada Research Chairs (CRC), Ontario Research Fund (ORF), Early Researcher Awards (ERA), Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, and other institution-led competitions, including academic prizes and awards. Other activities coordinated by SRP include research analytics and metrics, internal reviews and selection processes for institution-led awards, selection and nomination of CRCs, among others, and EDI initiatives related to research, including development and implementation of policies and procedures, guidelines, processes and data collection.

Summary Of Duties

Under the supervision of the Manager, Strategic Research Programs and Special Projects, the successful candidate will coordinate the full spectrum of pre- and post-award activities (grant and award applications, award finalization and contracting, annual reports, ongoing interactions) related to various matching fund grants and awards (e.g., CFI, CRC, ORF, ERA, among others) to ensure accuracy and completeness of applications, and accountability and good grant management. This will involve interaction with SRI scientists and administrators and with other collaborating institutions, funding agencies, government contacts and scientists to request and organize the required information and documentation.

Research Administration, Grants and Awards

• Communicate financial and project progress to scientists through regular status meetings.
• Support financial aspects of awards including working closely with finance staff to ensure proper accountability of grant funds.
• In collaboration with the Manager and other SRP staff, assist scientists in the management of projects and completion of contract milestones.
• Coordinate the preparation of new proposals to granting agencies, including working with scientists and administrators on the writing of proposals, developing application budgets, facilitate the submission process and post-award activities, including contracting, budge reviews, and annual status and final reporting.
• Assist with special projects, such as strategic planning, process improvement initiatives, and development of relevant policies and guidelines, as they arise and arrive at the SRP office, as required
• Work with Sunnybrook Communications to maintain and update Sunnybrook’s internal webpages related to SRP announcements on programming and communications to SRI users.
• Organize and coordinate internal review and selection committees for funding programs and external and internal selections (e.g., CRC, Early Researcher Awards and Tri-council Agency related competitions).
• Coordinate annual project scientific progress reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, and work cooperatively and constructively with other members of the staff.
• Organize and assist in the preparation for project management board and scientific advisory meetings.

Qualifications/Skills

• Excellent computer skills – Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, etc.) and search databases with ability to navigate administrative management systems of funding agencies and external partners.
• Strong writing skills, ability to express thoughts and ideas clearly.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a research administration or related experience.
• Strong understanding of the research funding landscape in Canada and research environment within the public sector (hospital and university) and/or academic health sciences centre.
• Excellent communication skills, independent judgment and diplomacy for dealing with other departments and institutions; good office and organizational skills; discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Outstanding organizational skills with ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously, with the ability to work under pressure and under high volume around competition and reporting deadlines.
• Graduate degree, preferably from a scientific discipline. Doctoral/PhD preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with, or a strong appreciation for, the particulars of federal research funding and programs, as well as a demonstrated understanding of frameworks related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Prior experience within a university or large, multidisciplinary institution working with scientists.
• Familiarity with research grant applications and funding agency rules with experience in grant proposal and report writing (especially matching funds/government research infrastructure programs) from an institutional perspective, in a university or hospital-based research environment.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, facilitation, and mediation skills; experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders; the ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy; the ability to manage multiple, competing, and frequently changing priorities; and a broad vision for the role of diversity in enhancing institutional excellence.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and a cover letter (in one document) including your salary expectation.