Job Summary

Join Queen’s University as a Research Projects Advisor and be the catalyst that helps faculty researchers turn their ideas into funded research. We’re looking for a motivated candidate with a post graduate degree and research experience to join the Vice Principal Research Portfolio and Research Services team, supporting research grant development primarily in health sciences and secondarily in natural sciences and engineering and applied sciences. You’ll work on the Grants team to provide expert guidance, training, and faculty development support across the funding lifecycle. This role offers hands on involvement in interdisciplinary, partnership, and discipline focused projects and a chance to champion for researchers and accelerate impact locally, nationally, and globally. Apply to help build thriving research programs at Queen’s.

A Brief Overview

Research Projects Advisors are members of the forward-facing Research Services team within the Vice Principal Research Portfolio. They show initiative to collaboratively develop and deliver support and resources with a client-centric approach for the research community. Research Projects Advisors also support the mandate and strategic goals of the Vice Principal Research Portfolio through initiative development and targeted support for researchers.

Support provided to faculty members by Research Project Advisors includes, but is not limited to long and short term planning with researchers for successfully funded research programs, reviewing grant applications prior to submission, liaising with sponsor organizations to ensure full comprehension of funding opportunities and requirements, providing guidance on proposal fit to a funding call, and reviewing administrative components of a funding application, such as budget for adherence to Queen’s policy and sponsor terms and conditions.

Initiatives supported and led by Research Projects Advisors include the development and delivery of professional development training for the research community, for example with respect to emerging Tri-Agency policies impacting researchers and institutions, development and delivery of funding program informational sessions and resources for applicants, as well as acting as a champion for researcher networking and opportunities in the exploration and creation of dynamic research teams.

On a day-to-day basis, Research Projects Advisors may connect with internal colleagues for agreement development in partnership inclusive research projects, research security assessments and guidance, post-award implications of funding scenario, and/or certification compliance requirements given project goals. These collegial relationships are an integral part of the success of the entire Research Services team.

This position will primarily support researchers working within health science disciplines, with secondary support for a multidisciplinary portfolio of research.

This position provides expert advice to members of the university regarding applications for research funding. This position works with new research groups, identifies funding opportunities, assists with applications, and acts as an advocate or liaison with a variety of individuals and institutions to increase participation and success rates for funded projects.

What you will do

• Provides expert advice and resources to faculty members, faculty offices and non-academic partners to aid in the submission of successful applications for research funding.

• Develops and implements strategies to increase participation and success rates for funding competitions.
• Identifies and monitors funding opportunities appropriate for researchers and research groups.
• Encourages and facilitates the formation of new research teams or groups around identified funding opportunities.
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of faculty with agency/institutional staff, funding bodies, sponsors, governments, organizations, other universities, and/or community partners.
• Liaises with representatives of other institutions and funding agency staff, regarding interpretation of guidelines and policies.
• Plans and organizes a variety of workshops, training sessions, information events and programs aimed at increasing the success rate of applications and funded projects.
• Develops resources, including instructional materials.
• Provides editing feedback regarding quality, content, and style on grant applications.
• Prepares and reviews communications, including letters of support.
• Supports Indigenous-related research applications and funding opportunities.
• Maintains current knowledge of policies, procedures and regulatory structures.
• Ensures compliance with funding policies and processes (internal and external), apprising management of compliance issues and/or risks.
• Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

Required Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent. In addition, requires a professional designation, certification, or other qualification, or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.
• in health sciences preferred.

Required Experience

• More than 3 years and up to and including 5 years of experience.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Knowledge and Requirements

• Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field that is typically acquired through a combination of advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or significant work experience.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and consultation on highly complex issues and/or where the outcome may be contentious.
• Interaction with others requires highly developed interpersonal skills to effectively persuade, negotiate, counsel, and/or consult.
• Adapt messages to meet the different needs of different audiences.
• Prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to the highest standard.
• Identify in advance when the intended results may not be achieved and develops a plan to address the gaps.
• Lead team and project meetings and develop team/unit and departmental project plans.
• Lead procedural or technological change within a unit or across broader university functions.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.
• Anticipate complex challenges to ensure activities are completed on time.
• Effectively leverage relevant data as input to making decisions.
• Appropriately assess risks before making a decision.
• Comprehensive understanding of what sexual violence, harassment and discrimination are, and their varying effects on diverse members of the community.
• Question and take appropriate steps to address attitudes, macroaggressions and other behaviours which are discriminatory. Acknowledges and respects diverse cultural traditions, abilities and beliefs.