Assistant Director, Research Development and Scholarship

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $56,395 and $71,340, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Assistant Director, Research Development and Scholarship, is an expert professional with experience in human subject research who provides strategic research development, regulatory and compliance oversight, and dissemination of scholarship to advance the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursings research tools and academic/scientific prestige. The assistant director will provide advanced-level development of: (a) standardized processes to guide successful research grant submission processes (federal and non-federal), letters of intent (LOI), and sponsor research reports; (b) departmental and school databases to synthesize and analyze data (e.g. workflow, pre-award processes, pre- and post-award outcomes) for the purpose of generating reports for Case Western Reserve University, the school, and the center administrators; and (c) standardized processes for ensuring that all research proposals and study protocols adhere to strict ethical standards, funding rules, and institutional protocols. The assistant director will also directly supervise the work of the Research Proposal Development Associate and ensure that ~50-60 applications are developed/year, processed and submitted according to sponsor and university guidelines. The assistant director will be responsible for developing and growing advanced-level processes for the identification of requests for grant proposals or letters of intent (LOI) and will develop and assist faculty in writing and submission of academic awards locally, nationally, and internationally. The assistant director will provide leadership for the center in the absence of the Assistant Dean of Research Administration. This position makes a significant contribution to the school mission to not only enhance the quantity and quality of grant proposal but to diversify the schools research portfolio through new sponsor collaborations and enhance the national and international prestige of the faculty via the submission and receipt of high-profile honorific awards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop new initiatives involving harmonization of federal and non-federal policies and university-wide policies for effective proposal development and management--including the creation of standardized forms and document templates. Develop standardized operating procedures for the management of grant proposal development, documentation of accurate proposal documents, and maintenance of policies that are following university and sponsor policies. Evaluate operational effectiveness and generate reports related to operational outcomes of Center for Research and Scholarship for the Assistant Dean for Research Administration. Supports the schools goals of establishing standard processes for proposal development management, grant applications, and alignment of grant applications with sponsor and University guidelines---with the goal of improving the quality of grant applications and the minimization of problems in proposal development and errors in application materials and timely submissions. Communicate with key personnel in the universitys Research Administration Office to ensure timely and accurate university policies related to grant proposals and will collaborate with the assistant dean for research administration in the assessment of processes and review of standardized forms and documents. (35%)
• Grow the number of strategic partnerships within and outside of the university to facilitate the creation of competitive funding opportunities to increase federal and non-federal research grant submissions positioned strategically to foster successful funding. Develop strategic partnerships with potential research grant funders, create competitive funding opportunity databases that include strategic targeting of faculty according to their expertise and high priority funding opportunities--oversee the maintenance of these databases by the research proposal development associate. Support the schools goals of diversifying sources of potential research grant funding, increasing the number of federal and non-federal grant submissions (and letters of intent-LOI), and increasing the number of grant proposals (and LOIs) that align closely with faculty expertise to position the proposals for funding success. Identify potential funding sponsors, grow working relationships and explore research grant funding opportunities with sponsors whose missions align with those of the research faculty. Use creative approaches (e.g. AI) to identify potential sponsors and to establish databases that can be used effectively for tracking sponsors and outcomes of sponsor collaborations to identify efficient/ effective partnerships. (20%)
• Develop databases to enable synthesis and analysis of pre- (e.g. meeting proposal management benchmarks, problems in development or submission process, outcome of sponsors¿ grant reviews) and post-grant award outcomes (e.g. receipt of notice of funding award, receipt of university accounts, submission of post-award documents for no cost extensions, progress reports), honorific award processes, and manuscript submissions and publications. Work with departments within the school (finance, foundation relations) to establish the centralization of accurate data as needed for the development of pre- and post-award databases. This meets the School of Nursings goal of establishing comprehensive databases that include pertinent data from various departments to streamline data synthesis and analysis needed for departmental, school, and institutional reports. (20%)
• Strategically work with the assistant dean of research administration to promote faculty and the School of Nursing prestige through highly competitive national and international professional awards. Manage the nomination award process, including the development, writing and packaging of nomination materials that align with the sponsor requirements and are positioned for success. Communicate with individuals and institutions external to the school and university to obtain high-impact letters of support and additional documentation needed to position applications for success. Develop a competitive packet and communicate with all necessary individuals and institutions to obtain the information needed for the development of packet materials. This meets the School of Nursings goal of enhancing the prestige of the faculty and the school nationally and internationally. (10%).
• Serve as an expert consultant for faculty in the areas of regulatory and compliance with all aspects of human subject research regulations and processes. The Assistant Director will ensure that institutional review board (IRB) applications are accurate and comply with institutional and federal ethical standards, will coordinate and guide faculty researchers with documentation and processes for Internal Review Board (IRB) audit reviews, research credentialing requirements and institutional processes, and in collaboration with research faculty, will ensure that all research protocols meet sponsor and federal human subject regulations. Support the schools goals of improving the accuracy of IRB applications, ensure adherence to human subjects¿ ethical regulations for all research proposals, reduce the number of IRB audits, and ensure successful outcomes when research faculty undergo IRB audits. Develop standardized protocols for IRB applications and IRB audit preparation and develop standardized guides for development of research protocols that align with ethical standards for human subjects research. Design and deliver multimedia presentations, workshops and seminars for faculty researchers related to regulatory and compliance in human subject research, IRB submissions, and IRB audits. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategically work with the assistant dean of research administration and the associate dean of research in continuous quality improvement and strategic planning for the Center for Research and Scholarship to advance the goals of the school. Meet regularly with the assistant dean and the associate dean to review benchmarks related to quality improvement and strategic goals. This supports the School of Nursings strategic initiative to diversify research funding opportunities, align research and award nominations strategically with faculty areas of expertise, increase efficiencies within the center and increase the quantity and quality of grant applications. (4%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with faculty, assistant dean for research administration, associate dean for research, school dean, and other department (e.g. finance, foundation relations).

University: Contact with Research Administration Office, directors of Foundation Relations, other management centers, faculty and staff from other colleges.

External: Contact with sponsor/foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, and health-care affiliates (e.g. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, MetroHealth Medical Center). Contact with key faculty or departments at other institutions or universities when developing honorific award packets.

Students: Rare contact with School of Nursing doctoral students (DNP, PhD) for questions/issues related to grant or honorific award applications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervise the Research Proposal Development Associate.

QUALIFICAITONS

Experience: 5 years or more of experience working in grants management, grants research administration, academic research administration or other relevant areas with grant oversight and scientific writing experience required.

Education: Masters degree required, PhD preferred. Certified Research Administrator required or willingness to obtain within a year of hire.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to create datasets, analyze and interpret data output, and generate reports (e.g. evaluation of workflow efficiencies, research productivity and outcomes) for school and university administrators using a variety of platforms (e.g. Excel, SPSS).
• Ability to think critically about a variety of research and scientific areas and understand the intricacies of different departments and scientific fields.
• Exceptional organizational skills with experience managing a variety of projects simultaneously.
• Capability to work independently as well as collaboratively with other individuals, departments, and organizations within and outside of the University.
• Experience using research grant submission or sponsor systems (e.g. eRA Commons, ASSIST, Grants.gov, Workspace, Proposal Central).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with experience managing situations that require sensitivity in communication (e.g. faculty dissatisfied with an aspect of their proposal submission process). Able to discreetly handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Experience with human subjects¿ research with an emphasis on federal ethical guidelines and institutional review boards.
• Ability to supervise people in a high stress, rapid paced environment while remaining attentive to details.
• Strong writing and editing skills with experience in academic and/or scientific writing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products, email, data management programs (e.g. REDCap) and project management programs (e.g. Planner, Monday).
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the University, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is performed in a typical office environment. Duties involve repetitive motions such as typing and using a computer mouse, with prolonged periods of sitting and occasional standing. This position requires meeting frequent deadlines and ability to work with a variety of faculty and staff with different backgrounds. Rare evening or weekend work might be required during peak grant submission periods. After successful orientation period, this position is eligible for hybrid work consistent with the staff at the Center for Research and Scholarship at Case Western Reserve University. Chemical exposure is minimal and limited to routine office products such as sanitizer wipes.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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