The Office of Research & Policy (ORP) supports sponsored funding/research activities within the College of Education & Human Development, which has ten primary units including seven academic departments and three college-wide research centers. The ORP service model provides highly specialized services that are responsive to researchersâ™ individual needs, which may include activity classified as grants, gifts, or external sales. The officeâ™s pre-award grant coordinators work independently and make decisions on how best to provide strategic support for the research agendas of the units to which they are assigned. The grant coordinators work one-on-one with faculty to develop grant proposals and serve as the first point of contact for research-related questions in their units.
This position will carry a small, assigned workload, serve as a floater to assist with high workloads in other collegiate units, and assist with complex proposals. The position may be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote with occasional trips to campus for in-person events. Fully remote arrangements will require approval
The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.
Job Responsibilities
Pre-award Proposal Development & Preparation (50%)
Be responsible for preparing and submitting all grant proposals within assigned departments from initiation to submission
Offer strategic guidance to researchers on issues such as fit with sponsor, submission timing, review panels, project team makeup, cost sharing, etc.
Coordinate proposal review and presentation
Work one-on-one with researchers to operationalize research ideas through budgets, personnel planning, and knowledge of departmental and university systems
Oversee systems entry and approvals (MN-GEMS, ASSIST, Research.gov, etc.)
Ensure compliance with departmental, collegiate, university, sponsor, and federal grant regulations
Review, edit, and write elements of proposals as needed
Build professional relationships with researchers that demonstrate a strong understanding of researchersâ™ interests, needs, and long-term research objectives
Identify and contribute funding opportunities for CEHDâ™s funding newsletter
Education & Training (30%)
Mentor other grant coordinators as they build skills for working with complex proposals and with multiple UMN offices
Serve as a resource for questions from other grant coordinators and assist in troubleshooting unique proposal situations
Serve as team lead for one or more Office of Research and Policy initiatives
Evaluate researchersâ™ needs for training and education and develop strategies for meeting those needs
Consult on and plan CEHDâ™s ongoing âœcoffee breaks for grantsâ seminars
Represent CEHD in the University of Minnesota research community, participating in groups such as the Grants Management Users Network
Engage in national professional associations such as NCURA, SRA, NORDP, or topic-specific organizations
Seek out personal professional development opportunities and be well-informed of issues and trends in research administration
Project Management (20%)
Provide coordination and leadership as needed through the entire grant process from idea to award closeout
Determine whether a given project is a gift, grant, or external sale in keeping with UMN policy
Serve as a liaison between researchers and University organizations such as SPA, OVPR, IRB, and the UMF, ensuring that the requirements and timelines of each organization are met while keeping the overall goals of the research project in mind
Interpret sponsor and University proposal and award guidelines (and the practical impact of those guidelines) to unit staff and leadership
Analyze what parts of the research project workflow are succeeding and which are not, and work with stakeholders to make changes accordingly
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree, plus at least five (5) years of professional experience related to this position, or a combination of education and work experience equal to nine (9) years.
Strong experience with all aspects of pre-award research administration, including preparing and submitting grant proposals to a variety of sponsors.
Strong experience with research grants in a university setting.
Familiarity with proposal systems such as Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and Research.gov
Ability to work independently and make strategic decisions without supervision.
Proven good judgment and ability to resolve most problems without assistance.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively interface with all levels of the organization.
Willingness to take ownership of projects, determine the strategies needed to ensure success, and follow those strategies through until project end, making adjustments as needed.
Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
Preferred Qualifications
A master's or other advanced degree is strongly preferred
Familiarity with Minnesota Grants Electronic Management System (MN-GEMS), Enterprise Financial System (EFS), UM Reports, and other University of Minnesota systems.
Familiarity working with the State of Minnesota and sponsors outside of NIH and NSF
Successful experience consulting with diverse groups on grant requests and funding strategies.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex and sensitive issues.
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
