Senior Advisor, Research and Program Support (2 positions)

University of Ottawa • Lexington, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Faculty of Engineering strives to provide a learning environment that promotes excellence and innovation, ethical practice and responsibility towards society. Our workplace will challenge, energize and motivate you to be your very best while providing opportunities for career growth and professional development. Our work makes a world of difference in the lives of our students, who will become the next generation of leaders and change makers of our society. Our dynamic community is dedicated to building innovations that will not only help the advancement of technology, but solutions that will revolutionize the industry. We look forward to making the future TOGETHER! Position purpose: Provides advice and support to researchers in developing their research projects to improve the success rate for external funding requests and to strengthen the faculty’s research activities. Helps faculty research activities gain greater recognition from the University community, the media and the public.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Minimum five years of demonstrated experience in a similar role
• Excellent knowledge of research support opportunities and academia
• Knowledge of research strategies and methodologies, including computer-based analysis
• Experience drafting research project funding requests
• Experience developing and managing international research agreements and activities
• Project management experience
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to create, maintain and build relationships and partnerships within the University and externally
• Experience in analysis and problem-solving
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to apply marketing knowledge to the research sector
• Ability to handle competing priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Experience developing and delivering workshops related to research management
• Experience using computer systems and applications such as Windows, word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, the internet and email
• Bilingualism – English and French (spoken and written)

Responsibilities

• Advisory Services and Research Support: Provides researchers with expert advice and support in developing their research projects, including on how to set budgets, plan needed human, physical and material resources, and justify requests so that the various funding agencies receive high-quality funding requests that meet their listed criteria and researchers improve their chances of securing funding. Directs researchers to other possible funding sources if funding requests are rejected. Provides expertise and consultation on interinstitutional research initiatives and works with other institutions to submit funding requests for these initiatives so that they comply with granting agencies’ requirements.
• Researching Opportunities and Networking: Works with Research Management Services to identify and keep track of funding opportunities, and to ensure that faculty researchers are aware of the opportunities most relevant to them. Liaises with research advisors from other faculties in regular meetings in order to promote the faculty’s research activities and possibilities for interfaculty and interdisciplinary research opportunities.
• Operations: Analyzes and interprets granting agencies’ requirements and guidelines and solves complex administrative problems in a timely manner. Helps to develop and implement internal regulations, project management procedures and administrative processes in order to improve their relevance and efficiency.
• Liaison and Guidance: Liaises between researchers and granting agencies to ensure that all parties possess the information they need to optimize their chances of success. Organizes and leads workshops and information sessions for researchers on the preparation of high-quality funding requests, research management good practices, and funding opportunities and rules in order to provide clarity and streamline the process.
• Research Promotion: Works with internal and external actors to help promote faculty research so that researcher’s discoveries, research initiatives, inventions and other exceptional accomplishments garner visibility and publicity with the media and general public. Works with researchers and other actors to help prepare applications for awards from the University and external organizations.
• Reports: Conducts research and surveys, and compiles data, statistics and other information related to research trends, faculty research activities, and research funding. Uses this information to provide management with advice and recommendations and to help with long-term strategic planning.
• Special Project Management: Plans and manages assigned special projects as needed. Defines special project scopes, determines steps, monitors relevant progress, makes adjustments throughout the process and ensures efficient communication between participants.

Benefits

• The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes a competitive salary, a defined benefit pension plan, group insurance coverage and an employee and family assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees