NSE Research Development Officer – University of British Columbia

Job Title: NSE Research Development Officer

Location: Vancouver, BC

Job Description: Staff – Non UnionJob Category M&P – AAPSJob Profile AAPS Salaried – Research and Facilitation, Level CJob Title NSE Research Development OfficerDepartment NSE Research | Research Development | Support Programs to Advance Research CapacityCompensation Range $7,622.83 – $11,886.67 CAD MonthlyThe 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 14, 2025Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End Date Apr 30, 2026This is a full-time, 12-month term position posted for a leave replacement.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 responsible for planning, managing and communicating the facilitation of natural sciences and engineering (NSE) research funding review processes and the development of collaborative research applications involving researchers across the university (e.g., Point Grey, Okanagan and Academic Hospital Campuses), granting agencies (e.g., NSERC) and departments within the VPRI. This role will involve working with UBC’s Faculties and Departments to provide services to increase faculty members’ ability to secure NSERC and NSE related funding. Also, this role will include identifying interdisciplinary research synergies, matching funding opportunities and working with the teams of faculty and possibly external researchers and other stakeholders to submit highly competitive funding proposals.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 Performed1. Plans, develops, manages and provides authoritative information on research funding opportunities and administrative processes. This will involve setting priorities and goals for each funding opportunity. Also, establishing the budget for the process and forecasting the requirements to develop and maintain the process, to ensure that all funding agency and university requirements are met.2. Manages the development and delivery of SPARC programs (e.g. internal review, educational services and SPARC criteria review) primarily to NSERC & NSE related opportunities, with the aim of improving the research funding success of UBC.3. Plans, manages and handles communications of SPARC’s programs, including internal review, educational services, SPARC editorial review and workshops. This will involve communicating through newsletters, websites, and in meetings with faculty administration (e.g., Deans and Associate Deans) and UBC’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Advisor.4. Identifies research synergies, matches and secures funding opportunities to research activities and researchers. This will include contacting faculty and notifying them of the funding opportunities and services available through the SPARC office. Also, this may involve coordinating development of collaborative research proposals and grant applications.5. 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).6. Plans, and manages the internal review process for: the NSERC Alliance grant competition which is valued at $10 million.7. Plans and manages the support services to improve funding success for researchers applying to other NSE-related funding opportunities.8. Plans, manages and coordinates the delivery of educational programs (e.g., information sessions, strategic grant working seminars, CCV training sessions) for the NSERC Alliance grant and Research Tools and Instruments competitions, and other NSERC competitions as needed; sessions may be held at the UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan and hospital campuses. This may involve recruiting guest speakers (e.g., NSERC / UBC Committee Members, NSERC Administrators from Ottawa) and developing the programs in collaboration with other faculties, departments and sites, and may involve travel (e.g., hospital sites, UBC-Okanagan).9. Provides strategic and editorial feedback on NSERC Alliance grant and Research Tools and Instruments grant proposals, and on Discovery Grant and CREATE, as needed.10. Responsible for liaising with NSERC and other funding sponsors (CIHR, and SSHRC) to ensure applications meet the requirements of the funding agencies and communicating with faculty, Associate Deans, Research and professional support staff (e.g., Grant Facilitators, Development Officers) at all UBC campuses about sponsors’ request for application requirements.11. Maintaining an online and in-house library of successful NSERC grant proposals obtained from UBC researchers.12. Advise faculty at all UBC campuses (e.g., Point Grey, Okanagan, hospital sites) on the review process and funding requirements.13. Provides one on one consultation to faculty and associated team with the aim of improving the strength and competitiveness of funding proposals.14. Promotes the support services offered by the SPARC Office.15. Writes letters of support for proposals, as required.16. 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 Research Plan, and SPARC and the Vice President Research and Innovation Office.Supervision GivenProvides 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 totime 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 inclusionPreferred QualificationsExperience in a natural science and engineering-related field. Good understanding of natural science and engineering-related research. Previous experience supporting faculty in a research-intensive university with demonstrated skill in research development. Superior oral and written communication skills with ability to lead effective and professional presentations in person and virtually. Excellent writing and editing skills with experience developing research funding applications. Good understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion in NSE and STEM fields. Excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills. Ability to review, summarize and communicate to faculty institutional policies and funding agency guidelines and requirements. Ability to adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple projects/responsibilities and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to achieve high quality outcomes in a complex organization. Demonstrated ability to work independently and take lead on projects. Strong problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to analyze and interpret data to determine implications and provide recommendations. Ability to maintain high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Good judgement with the ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Proficient in standard computer software programs applications e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and online video teleconferencing applications e.g. Zoom.

Company Name: University of British Columbia

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