Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Background: The Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) seeks a Research Development Associate to serve as the Assistant Director for Research Development. We are interested in candidates who will contribute actively to the expansion of the Institute’s research portfolio by giving support to a growing body of multi-disciplinary faculty members. The Institute is home to 88 faculty members and more than 100 staff members who work with partners and communities in more than 30 countries around the world. We are particularly interested in candidates who work well in a fast-paced environment and are knowledgeable of sponsored research in an international setting.

Occupational Summary

Facilitate identification and development of appropriate teams of faculty investigators to pursue large, multidisciplinary funding opportunities identified by faculty or by the incumbent. Oversee and support the development of complex funding proposals through effective interactions with all involved parties and by providing proposal management, proposal editing and/or writing integration service, program development, budget development, and support.

Work Performed

Identify opportunities and engage teams

Through existing mechanisms as well as research and communications with possible sponsors, identify large, multidisciplinary funding opportunities from federal and non-federal sources that capitalize on existing strengths and expertise.

Identify Duke faculty to lead and/or collaborate on multidisciplinary proposals and facilitate development of appropriate teams of faculty investigators to pursue these opportunities.

Manage and coordinate the proposal process, working with individuals at various levels in the organization to ensure successful integration of all parts and full compliance with all funding solicitation and sponsor requirements.

Proposal development and support to teams

Support will be prioritized for 1) large and complex grants (such as NIH U01, P01, and training grants) and 2) first research grants (such as career development or initial R awards) for junior faculty. Provide writing support and partner with faculty to focus and refine proposals that are critical to a successful start for our newest professors.

Edit proposals and write or provide writing support for non- scientific/technical sections; provide comprehensive editorial review; advise investigators on proposal content and organization; assist with updates and maintenance of institutional resource template materials.

Assist PIs with the development of the administrative/management plan for the project. Provide assistance with the development of project strategy and the coordination of site visit and/or other follow-up inquiries.

Work with investigators and Institute grants and contracts managers to ensure that the work plan and budget are consistent with the funders’ expectations and regulations. Ensure compliance with solicitation requirements.

Collaborate with research administrators to understand and coordinate the proposal’s submission requirements and timeline.

Skills building and coordination

Develop and deliver seminars, workshops, and guidance materials to train junior faculty in the art of grant writing.

Assist with updates and maintenance of institutional resource template materials.

Coordinate with other research development resources at Duke, including research development offices in the School of Medicine and the Office of the Provost.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein. Attend relevant meetings within DGHI and Duke. Provide professionalism and quality customer service to all stakeholders both internal and external to Duke to ensure mission and reputation of Duke remains sustainable.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:

Bachelor's degree in English, communications, business or a related field with demonstration of understanding of and familiarity with a broad range of science or technical subject matter is preferred. Advanced degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

Three years of experience working with extramural grants and contracts.

Skills:

Ability to organize, analyze and interpret complex scientific, medical or technical data is required; proven ability to make complex information understandable to a broad range of audiences is desirable.

Must be able to write clearly and concisely.

Must possess excellent written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills and be able to effectively interact with individuals at all levels in the organization. Must be able to balance the needs of multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, often deadline-driven environment where priorities change in response to external needs and opportunities.

Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Skills Strongly Preferred:

To be successful in this role, you will possess:

• Ability to effectively interface with PIs on proposal and grant process.
• Ability to understand the best approach to an international research project and work with the relevant offices to ensure effective proposal development.
• Ability to develop budget recommendations, prepare detailed budget and written narratives.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with coworkers, faculty, students and staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to produce quality writing within a compact, intensive timeframe.
• Excellent time and project management skills. Ability to work well under constraints of deadlines. Ability to multitask.
• Experience writing and editing material in a wide range of global health disciplines.
• Experience writing and editing technical proposals for federal and non-federal sponsors.
• Expert-level abilities in Microsoft Office, particularly MS Word.
• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant work experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Master’s degree or PhD in science, technical journalism, science and technical writing, or a related field desired.
• Previous experience with research development desired.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.