Description
SSE Operations Staff within the Schulich School of Engineering is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Research Grant Writer and Reviewer for approximately 24 months.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the incumbent requires exceptional attention to detail, strategic thinking, project management, and communication skills. Based in the Dean's Office administrative team with primary support to the Associate Dean (Research), this role works directly with faculty across the school to identify, develop, and submit major funding proposals while fostering the partnerships and collaborations required for long-term research success.
This is a highly collaborative, faculty-facing role. The successful candidate will work alongside researchers to shape ideas into competitive funding opportunities, build and coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams, and provide strategic guidance throughout the proposal development process.
This position works Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., primarily in person on the University of Calgary main campus with the possibility of 1 remote day per week.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Strategic Grant Support and Writing
- Serve as the lead coordinator and project coordinator for the School's major multi-PI, multi-institutional submissions end-to-end (CFREF, NFRF Transformation, CFI Innovation Fund, partnered NSERC Alliance, CIHR Team Grants, Genome Canada, NRCan and ERA energy programs), the full range of defence funding (e.g., DND IDEaS, MINDS, and related programs), and major international opportunities as they arise (e.g., NFRF International, Horizon Europe, and other bilateral programs).
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Drive the full proposal development process when needed: supporting the strategic narrative, integrating budgets across investigators and institutions, coordinating letters of support, and supporting institutional signoffs and submission logistics.
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Work closely with the Research Services Office (RSO) on institutional review, signoffs, compliance and submission.
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Provide editorial and strategic guidance on drafts: narrative coherence, alignment with funder priorities, and competitive positioning.
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Review and edit documentation for consistent messaging, formatting, grammar and compliance with best practices and processes.
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Maintain a forward-looking pipeline of large opportunities, with realistic timelines and assessments.
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Provide faculty with strategic and editorial feedback on their proposals and help prepare investigators for funder interviews.
Faculty support and Strategic Partnerships
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Identify the right investigators for each large initiative and support collaboration: forming, organizing, and supporting the multidisciplinary teams behind major submissions, and maintain key deadlines.
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Help faculty translate research strengths into fundable programs aligned with both their goals and the School's strategic priorities.
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Develop and deliver internal training sessions as needed: proposal-writing workshops, debriefs of recent success, areas for improvement, and panels with successful principal investigators.
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Support Academic faculty to facilitate sharing of research information, including supporting events that highlight opportunities for research grants.
Other duties as assigned
- Support Schulich's undergraduate research scholarship programs.
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Provide surge support during high-volume periods, such as the NSERC Discovery Grant season.
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Support share inbox and calendars as needed.
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Other duties as assigned to support the administration of research in the engineering faculty.
Qualifications / Requirements:
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Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline; graduate degree preferred.
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5+ years of experience in research development, strategic research initiatives, large-grant coordination, or a closely related role at a research-intensive institution, funder, or research-active organization.
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Demonstrated track record of contributing to successful multi-PI/multi-institutional grant submissions at meaningful scale.
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Excellent strategic writing and project management skills, with the ability to shape and tighten complex research narratives for non-specialist review panels.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Able to work effectively with senior researchers, institutional leaders, and external partners.
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Familiarity with the Canadian post-secondary research environment, including Tri-Agency policies and reporting requirements considered an asset. Experience working with international partners and consortia, and with international funding opportunities as they arise (e.g., NFRF International, Horizon Europe, UK and other bilateral programs) preferred.
Application Deadline: August 03, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
