Careers at Virginia Tech

The College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Coordinator, an academic/professional faculty position, to support and further enhance the college’s research enterprise. The college achieves annual research expenditures exceeding $22 million, and we are seeking a candidate capable of working with our faculty and staff to facilitate the acquisition of additional extramural funding from federal, state, corporate, and foundation sources. We welcome and encourage applications from persons identifying with underrepresented groups, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, people of color, first-generation, and underrepresented genders.

The overarching duty of this position is to provide pre-award assistance to faculty seeking and applying for research grants and contracts. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting faculty, particularly new investigators, with identifying sponsors most likely to be interested in supporting their research, preparing budgets, tables, supporting forms and documents, editing and formatting of proposals, and timely proposal submission.
• Facilitating developing and coordinating large, complex proposals involving interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary investigators from multiple departments, colleges, universities, and agencies.
• Disseminating extramural funding opportunities relevant to faculty in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and assisting faculty using research funding databases.
• Identifying, cultivating, and supporting partnerships with internal and external organizations important to the college’s research enterprise.
• Assisting with developing and implementing college programming and internal awards designed to facilitate research activities.
• Other duties that may be assigned.

The selected candidate will have demonstrated knowledge and experience with extramural grant writing and editing. The ability to manage competing priorities within tight deadlines and maintain strict attention to detail are necessary skills. The selected candidate must also be proven to analyze task requirements, develop and implement procedures to accomplish goals, exercise good judgment within defined policies and procedures, communicate effectively, and commit to professional customer service and team orientation. This position requires in-person attendance to work, although a hybrid work schedule may be possible after the first six months. The review of applications will commence on February 3, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled.

• Bachelors’ degree in science, business, or related field and significant years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with research proposal development and coordination.
• Proven professional writing and editing skills, including experience working with complex documents such as funding proposals and reports and short-form materials such as correspondence and announcements.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, coordination, collaboration, and communication skills and the ability to mentor and support diverse groups of people.
• Prior demonstration of strong work ethic, team orientation, customer service, ability to work with others, and the desire to work in a research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, understand, and apply policies, procedures, and contractual language and terminology.
• Exhibited ability to set priorities, manage tasks, and meet deadlines independently.
• Exceptional attention to accuracy and detail.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software and applications.

• Master’s degree in science, business, or related field and significant years of relevant experience.
• Prior employment as a grant writer, grants coordinator, or similar position in higher education, governmental, or other grant coordination background.
• Proven experience with the development and review of budgets.
• Experience reviewing and providing constructive feedback on proposals to enhance funding success.
• Demonstrated experience working with university pre-award procedures and ability to understand, apply, and enforce university, government, and sponsor pre-award rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to follow policies and procedures associated with proposal development for funding sponsors (e.g., USDA, NSF, and NIH).
• Experience with federal funding agency web-based proposal submission tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work with faculty, staff, and members of an office of research or sponsored programs.
• Demonstrated experience identifying funding opportunities.
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills.
• Training and/or prior experience in technical writing and understanding of scientific research.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA).
• Experience with IRB, IACUC, IBC and COl policies and procedures.
• Experience providing support for meetings and event planning.

Required Application Materials

(1.) Resume/curriculum vitae; (2.) Cover letter expressing a statement of interest in the position and narrative explaining how prior work experience would enhance candidate’s success as a grants coordinator (not to exceed two pages); (3.) List illustrating participation in grants submitted or reviewed, including role associated with the proposal, type of proposal, sponsor or funding agency to which the proposal was submitted, amount of funding requested, and whether the proposal was funded; (4.) List of names, titles, and complete contact information for three references.

Regular

$70,000 - $80,000, Commensurate with experience

February 3, 2025

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.