Project Officer; SRI - Strategic Research Programs - Regular

About SRI’s Strategic Research Programs Office

The Strategic Research Programs (SRP) office at SRI provides grant and project administration support for research and infrastructure, research analytics, special projects, and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives related to research administration. Applications coordinated by SRP include Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Canada Research Chairs (CRC), Ontario Research Fund (ORF), Early Researcher Awards (ERA), Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, and other institution‑led competitions, including academic prizes and awards.

Other activities coordinated by SRP include research analytics and metrics, internal reviews and selection processes for institution‑led awards, selection and nomination of CRCs, among others, and EDI initiatives related to research, including development and implementation of policies and procedures, guidelines, processes and data collection.

Under the supervision of the Director, the successful candidate will coordinate the full spectrum of pre‑ and post‑award activities (grant and award applications, award finalization and contracting, annual reports, ongoing interactions) related to various matching fund grants and awards (e.g., CFI, CRC, ORF, ERA, among others) to ensure accuracy and completeness of applications, and accountability and good grant management. This will involve interaction with SRI scientists and administrators and with other collaborating institutions, funding agencies, government contacts and scientists to request and organize the required information and documentation.

• Coordinate the preparation of new proposals to granting agencies, including working with scientists and administrators on the editing/revision (writing where necessary) of proposals, developing application budgets, facilitate the submission process and post‑award activities, including contracting, budget reviews, and annual status and final reporting.
• In collaboration with the Manager and other SRI staff, assist scientists/clinician‑scientists in the management of projects and completion of contract milestones.
• Organize and assist in the preparation for project management board and scientific advisory meetings.
• Build budgets and support financial aspects of awards, including working closely with finance staff to ensure proper accountability of grant funds.
• Communicate financial and project progress to scientists through regular status meetings.
• Coordinate annual project scientific progress reports.
• Organize and coordinate internal review and selection committees for funding programs and external and internal selections (e.g., CRC, Early Researcher Awards and Tri‑council Agency related competitions).

• Work with Sunnybrook Communications to maintain and update Sunnybrook’s internal webpages related to SRP announcements on programming and communications to SRI users.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, and work cooperatively and constructively with other members of the staff.
• Assist with special projects, such as strategic planning, process improvement initiatives, and development of relevant policies and guidelines, as they arise and arrive at the SRP office, as required.
• Conduct research partnership risk assessments and assist with project mitigation measures as required for national research security during proposal submission, award acceptance, and ongoing auditing/tracking activities by the institution.

• Graduate degree, preferably from a scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a research administration or related experience.
• Outstanding organizational skills with ability to manage multiple responsibilities and tasks simultaneously, with the ability to work under pressure and under high volume around competition and reporting deadlines.
• Strong email writing and grant editing skills, ability to convey thoughts and ideas clearly to recipient audience.
• Excellent communication skills (via email, video meetings, in person), independent judgment and diplomacy for dealing with other…