Stony Brook Cancer Center Grant and Protocol Development Writer

Stony Brook University•Town of Brookhaven, NY

About The Position

The Grant and Protocol Development Writer, plays a pivotal role in advancing the scientific and clinical research mission of the Stony Brook Cancer Center (SBCC). This position provides operational leadership in the development, coordination, and submission of cancer-focused research projects, complex multi-investigator grant applications (e.g., P- and U-series, SPOREs, CCSG, and large institutional initiatives), and serves as the Center’s lead writer for investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) protocols. This person integrates scientific writing, translational research strategy, and protocol development expertise to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical application. This position is critical to ensuring the quality, scientific rigor, and competitiveness of the Center’s research proposals, clinical trial protocols, and progress reports. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work collaboratively across scientific and administrative teams. Grant Development and Preparation: ● Engage with investigators in the planning, coordination, and preparation of large, multi-component grant proposals, including P- and U-series applications, program project grants, SPOREs, and institutional training or infrastructure awards. ● Partner with Cancer Center leadership, program leaders, and faculty investigators to conceptualize, structure, and frame proposals aligned with SBCC’s strategic priorities and research programs. ● Provide expert guidance on NIH and NCI funding mechanisms, review criteria, and evolving funding landscapes. ● Manage proposal timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional team communications to ensure timely and compliant submission. ● Identify new federal and foundation funding opportunities that align with Cancer Center research strengths and strategic growth areas. Protocol Development and Investigator-Initiated Trials: ● Work with clinical investigators to write and edit investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) protocols, including the scientific rationale, study objectives, schema, statistical considerations, and correlative science components. ● Collaborate closely with clinical investigators, the Clinical Trials Office, biostatistics, and regulatory teams to ensure scientific accuracy, consistency, and adherence to institutional and sponsor requirements. ● Assist investigators in integrating preclinical or translational data into IIT protocols to enhance scientific justification and translational relevance. ● Maintain consistency in language, structure, and format across IIT protocol templates and related regulatory documents. ● Support IND/IDE submissions and revisions in coordination with regulatory and compliance teams. Scientific, Translational, and Technical Writing: ● Engage with investigators and staff in scientific writing for major institutional grant submissions, progress reports, and renewals (e.g., CCSG). ● Provide expert guidance to junior faculty with respect to specific elements of all document types. ● Draft and refine key sections of proposals, including Specific Aims, Research Strategies, and Program Overviews. ● Collaborate with basic, translational, and clinical investigators to synthesize multidisciplinary research into coherent narratives highlighting areas that are important in proposal review and serve to drive score. ● Translate complex scientific and translational concepts into clear, compelling language tailored to reviewers and funding agencies. ● Ensure consistency, clarity, and quality in data presentation, messaging, and document organization. Translational Research Integration: ● Support and enhance the translational research pipeline by connecting discovery science with clinical application and community impact. ● Work with research program leaders to identify and describe translational components within grant and protocol narratives. ● Facilitate communication among basic, population, and clinical researchers to promote collaborative, bench-to-bedside projects.

Requirements

Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent advanced degree in biomedical sciences or related field.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in scientific writing, research development, or protocol writing within an academic medical or research setting.
Experience drafting or coordinating investigator-initiated clinical trial protocols or translational research studies.
Experience writing, editing, and project management skills.
Knowledge of cancer biology, translational research principles, and the clinical research process.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) applications and NCI-designated center operations.
Familiarity with IND/IDE submissions, FDA guidance, and clinical protocol regulatory documentation.
Experience leading or mentoring a team of scientific or protocol writers.

Responsibilities

Engage with investigators in the planning, coordination, and preparation of large, multi-component grant proposals, including P- and U-series applications, program project grants, SPOREs, and institutional training or infrastructure awards.
Partner with Cancer Center leadership, program leaders, and faculty investigators to conceptualize, structure, and frame proposals aligned with SBCC’s strategic priorities and research programs.
Provide expert guidance on NIH and NCI funding mechanisms, review criteria, and evolving funding landscapes.
Manage proposal timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional team communications to ensure timely and compliant submission.
Identify new federal and foundation funding opportunities that align with Cancer Center research strengths and strategic growth areas.
Work with clinical investigators to write and edit investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) protocols, including the scientific rationale, study objectives, schema, statistical considerations, and correlative science components.
Collaborate closely with clinical investigators, the Clinical Trials Office, biostatistics, and regulatory teams to ensure scientific accuracy, consistency, and adherence to institutional and sponsor requirements.
Assist investigators in integrating preclinical or translational data into IIT protocols to enhance scientific justification and translational relevance.
Maintain consistency in language, structure, and format across IIT protocol templates and related regulatory documents.
Support IND/IDE submissions and revisions in coordination with regulatory and compliance teams.
Engage with investigators and staff in scientific writing for major institutional grant submissions, progress reports, and renewals (e.g., CCSG).
Provide expert guidance to junior faculty with respect to specific elements of all document types.
Draft and refine key sections of proposals, including Specific Aims, Research Strategies, and Program Overviews.
Collaborate with basic, translational, and clinical investigators to synthesize multidisciplinary research into coherent narratives highlighting areas that are important in proposal review and serve to drive score.
Translate complex scientific and translational concepts into clear, compelling language tailored to reviewers and funding agencies.
Ensure consistency, clarity, and quality in data presentation, messaging, and document organization.
Support and enhance the translational research pipeline by connecting discovery science with clinical application and community impact.
Work with research program leaders to identify and describe translational components within grant and protocol narratives.
Facilitate communication among basic, population, and clinical researchers to promote collaborative, bench-to-bedside projects.