Pre-Award Research Specialist

$42,000 - $52,000/Yr

Metis Foundation - San Antonio, TX

Full-time - Entry Level

San Antonio, TX

About the position

The Pre-Award Research Specialist at Metis Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting the Pre-Award Research Manager and research teams in securing funding for innovative projects. This position is responsible for coordinating and overseeing pre-award activities, including the preparation and submission of research grant proposals for principal investigator-led trials and studies. The specialist will assist in developing proposals for various funding sources, ensuring compliance with guidelines and deadlines, and streamlining the proposal process to enable groundbreaking research initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service to Principal Investigators and research teams.
• Act as a liaison between principal investigators, research groups, and other departments; respond to sponsor inquiries and coordinate communications.
• Maintain a schedule of due dates for all pre-award activities.
• Coordinate the grant proposal process, working closely with Principal Investigators (PIs) and research teams to draft, compile, and refine proposals.
• Manage timelines, gather required documents, and ensure all components are in place for submission.
• Identify potential funding sources by researching and monitoring opportunities from federal agencies, foundations, and industry sponsors.
• Develop, prepare, and finalize project budgets and provide budget justifications.
• Obtain vendor quotes for budget justifications as necessary.
• Ensure that all proposals comply with the requirements of the funding agency or sponsor, including formatting, eligibility, and submission deadlines.
• Collaborate with internal departments (finance, legal, and contracts) and external partners (sub-awardees, collaborators) to gather necessary documents and approvals.
• Engage in outreach activities to foster new collaborations with research partners, sponsors, and institutions.
• Draft, edit, and fact-check documents, including proposal documents and presentations.
• Maintain accuracy of content in unit documents, reports, brochures, social media, and/or websites.
• Participate in process improvements, contribute to group projects, and provide feedback on team operations.
• Attend weekly team meetings to give updates on pre-award activities such as proposals, contracts, new collaborations, etc.
• Create complex reports and spreadsheets, which may utilize specialized software and systems.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.
• 0-2 years of experience in grant writing or pre-award support activities.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent flexibility, creative thinking, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Collaborative, positive, and team-oriented.
• Experience in maintaining and producing web content, reports, and brochures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Access.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer
• Affirmative action employer