NSE Research Development Officer

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Research and Facilitation, Level C

Job Title
NSE Research Development Officer

Department
NSE Research tendersglobal.net Research Development tendersglobal.net Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity

Compensation Range
$6,551.00 – $9,418.83 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
January 22, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
This position is in Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity (SPARC), a unit within the Vice President Research and Innovation (VPRI) portfolio. The NSE (Natural Sciences and Engineering) Research Development Officer is responsible for planning, managing and communicating grant development services and resources to support faculty from across UBC applying for research grant funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) which includes liaising with researchers, university units, granting agencies and other external stakeholders; and providing feedback on NSERC grant applications.  This position will work closely with UBC’s Faculties and Departments and UBC’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Advisor to provide support services to increase faculty members’ ability to secure NSERC and NSE related funding.
Organizational Status
Reporting to Manager of Research Development, under the supervision of the Director, SPARC, the incumbent works closely with faculty from all Faculties, Departments and Schools at all campuses.
Work Performed

1. Provides authoritative information on NSERC research funding opportunities and administrative processes. This involves setting goals for SPARC’s support services, including a work plan and forecasting;

2. Manages the development and delivery of SPARC support services (e.g., information sessions, consults and application reviews), primarily to NSERC and NSE related funding opportunities, with the aim of improving the research funding success of UBC;

3. Manages communications of SPARC’s support services for NSERC and NSE related funding opportunities via a number of communication channels: VPRI Research Digest, SPARC’s website, email listservs, and in meetings with faculty administrators (e.g., Deans and Associate Deans, Research) and UBC’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Advisor;

4. Plans and manages a large number of developing research proposals including reviewing scientific or engineering excellence of the researcher, merit of the proposal (e.g., goals and objectives) and contribution to the training of highly qualified personnel (past and future);

5. Plans, and manages the internal selection process for the NSERC CREATE competition;

6. Provides strategic and editorial review feedback on NSERC CREATE grants, and Alliance and Discovery grants as capacity allows. This may include coordinating the work of other members of the SPARC team to provide additional grant review capacity;

7. Provides strategic and editorial review feedback on grants for other Tri-Agency competitions (e.g., NFRF Exploration, CIHR Project Grant), under the management of other SPARC staff;

8. Plans, manages and delivers outreach and training programs (e.g., information sessions, strategic grant development workshops, strategic resources) for NSERC competitions, which may involve giving presentations, recruiting panelists/speakers (e.g., UBC peer reviewers, NSERC program administrators), program development in collaboration with other Faculties, Departments and sites, and travel (e.g., hospital sites, UBC-Okanagan);

9. Provides one-on-one consultations to faculty and teams with the aim of improving the strength and competitiveness of grant proposals, which may include matching funding opportunities to research activities and researchers, and coordinating grant development;

10. Liaises with funding sponsors to ensure applications meet agency requirements, and communicates these to faculty members, Associate Deans, Research and research support staff (e.g., grant facilitators, development officers) at both UBC campuses;

11. Maintains a confidential library of successful UBC NSERC proposals;

12. Analyzes competition-related data and develops presentations and/or written reports as required;

13. Promotes the support services offered by the SPARC Office;

14. Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position has significant influence on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided to the UBC research community. Failure to provide appropriate support to faculty could result in lost opportunities and directly affect the reputation of the VPRI and the University. Incorrect interpretation of funding agency guidelines could result in the loss of research funding opportunities. The conclusions and recommendations resulting from the work of the incumbent are vital to the success of the university in securing research funding. Failure to demonstrate considerable skill and ability would result in diminished success for UBC.
Supervision Received
Works with wide latitude and from generally defined goals of the University Strategic Plan, and SPARC and the Vice President Research and Innovation Office.
Supervision Given
Provides direction and technical knowledge to a research team or will provide functional direction to development of a highly competitive funding proposal. Also, may from time to time manage students, employees on contract or consultants.
Minimum Qualifications
For research work, a post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation with a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
– Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

– Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience supporting faculty in a research-intensive university with demonstrated skill in grant development and research administration.

Good understanding of natural sciences and engineering, and interdisciplinary research.

Knowledge of NSERC funding opportunities is an asset.

Good understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion principles in research.

Superior oral communication skills with ability to lead effective and professional presentations in person and virtually.

Excellent writing and editing skills.

Experience coordinating programs and services, including preparing educational materials and delivering workshops.

Strong organizational, project management and time management skills.

Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and work effectively to meet deadlines.

Ability to work independently and take lead on projects.

Strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data to determine implications and provide recommendations.

Ability to maintain high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve high quality outcomes in a complex organization.

Good judgment with the ability to exercise tact and discretion.

Proficient in standard computer software programs applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online video teleconferencing applications (e.g., Zoom).