Research Proposal Specialist
About The Position
This position advances the SMHS research mission by providing expert leadership and support for research and Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal development, compliance, and submission. The role accelerates the coordination and submission of research and IRB proposals, reducing administrative burden on faculty while improving proposal quality, compliance, and submission volume. Efforts will emphasize funding mechanisms appropriate for a community-based medical school, including NIH, HRSA, DoD, CDC, and foundation opportunities. This is a process- and execution-focused role, not a scientific leadership position, and does not require prior grant funding success. Responsibilities include leading proposal development, monitoring state, federal, foundation, and industry funding opportunities, and coordinating SMHS responses to complex, multi-investigator or multi-institutional funding initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3 years of directly related work experience
- Experience working with sponsored funding proposals
- Experience in grant development, technical writing, research administration, data management, or a related field
- Microsoft Office and Teams experience
- Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check
- Familiarity with federal funding agencies (NIH, HRSA, DoD, CDC) and grant formats, as well as data management and publication requirements from funding agencies
- Diplomatic but assertive communication style
Nice To Haves
- CIP Certification (Certified IRB Professional) by PRIM&R
- CCRP (Certified Clinical Research Professional)
- RAC (Regulatory Affairs Certification)
- Experience working in a medical school or health sciences environment
Responsibilities
- Identify and interpret funding opportunities relevant to SMHS faculty
- Translate FOAs into precise proposal requirements, timelines, and checklists
- Develop and manage proposal calendars, ensuring on-time internal and external submissions
- Serve as the central coordinator for multi-investigator and multi-unit proposals
- Track proposal components and proactively follow up on missing materials in response to the FOAs
- Coordinates Office of Research Affairs collaborative research team proposal and targeted proposal development within the SMHS, UND, and beyond
- Monitors and facilitates the proposal process through Novelution, ensuring compliance with University procedures and obtaining institutional signatures
- Edit non-scientific sections, including, for example: Project narratives and significance summaries, Facilities & Other Resources, Equipment descriptions, Training plans, mentoring plans, and resource justifications
- Edit Specific Aims and Research Strategy sections for clarity: Clarity, structure, and alignment with FOA language, and consistent terminology and narrative flow
- Ensure proposals meet sponsor formatting and compliance requirements
- Draft, review, and edit IRB protocols, consent forms, recruitment materials, and other required documentation
- Maintain a database of all clinical trials, IRB submissions, correspondence, and approvals
- Review and edit IACUC protocols
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
