Grants Officer

Grants Officer

About Queen's University

Queen's University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

The Sinclair Cancer Research Institute (SCRI) is a Tier 1 research institute at Queen's University dedicated to advancing collaborative cancer research and improving patient outcomes through innovation, partnership, and excellence.

SCRI is seeking a Grants Officer to support the institute's mission by identifying, developing, and coordinating competitive research funding opportunities amongst all three divisions (Cancer Biology & Genetics, Cancer Clinical Trials, Cancer Care and Epidemiology). Under the direction of the SCRI Director, the Grants Officer will lead and support the preparation and submission of large-scale, multi-investigator, and institutional funding proposals to secure new operating and infrastructure supports needed to advance the research mission of SCRI and their partners. Particular focus will be on securing large infrastructure grants (CFI), Tri-Council operating grants (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and those from other national and international agencies or cancer charities (NCI, CCS, TFRI, MOHCCN). The individual will work closely with SCRI program manager, investigators, trainees, administrators, and central offices including Research Services and Research Accounting. The role involves regular collaboration with partners across Queen's Health Sciences, Kingston Health Sciences Centre and external funding bodies.

This position manages the full cycle of grant development from early identification of opportunities to proposal planning and coordination, grant editing, grant submission, grant reporting and compliance. The Grants Officer supports alignment between funding applications and SCRI strategic priorities and ensures adherence to all internal and external requirements are met.

The position operates primarily from the SCRI at Queen's University's with some flexibility for hybrid work. Early mornings or evenings may occasionally be required near proposal deadlines.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Grant Development and Coordination

- Contribute to environmental scanning to support planning of future funding strategies for SCRI.

• Work with investigators to identify external and internal funding opportunities that support SCRI priorities and individual research programs.

• Develop project plans to ensure goals, deliverables, and timelines align with SCRI objectives.

• Coordinate the preparation and submission of large team grants and multi-partner applications (e.g., Tri-Council, CFI, CCS, NIH).

• Support investigators in preparing competitive proposals by drafting, editing, and reviewing sections such as institutional context, impact, and alignment with research priorities.

• Maintain an internal calendar of funding deadlines for both faculty and trainee applicants; manage pre-award workflows.

• Facilitate collaboration among research teams, institutional partners, and external collaborators.

• Provide quality review and editing of grant components to ensure clarity, compliance, and competitiveness.

Budget and Financial Administration

- Work with investigators and Research Accounting to prepare accurate and compliant budgets and justifications.

• Review expenditure plans for alignment with agency and institutional requirements.

• Support budget revisions, re-allocations, and financial reporting for awarded projects.

Compliance and Reporting

- Ensure grant applications and awarded projects adhere to institutional, ethical, and agency policies (e.g., TCPS2, PHIPA, Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide).

• Coordinate submission of progress reports, final reports, and other compliance documents (e.g., research ethics board etc.).

• Maintain accurate documentation and filing of grant records through institutional systems (e.g., SharePoint, OneDrive).

Institutional and Administrative Support

- Prepare summary reports, metrics, and briefing materials for SCRI leadership and stakeholders.

• Liaise with Research Services and Research Accounting to streamline submission and award management processes.

• Support development of templates, databases, guidance documents, and procedures that strengthen grant support within SCRI.

Fundraising

- Assist SCRI leadership in identifying and cultivating new funders and engaging existing supporters.

• Collaborate with Queen's Advancement to prepare research metrics updates, background information, and materials that support donor engagement and stewardship activities.

• Support preparation of updates to funders regarding progress of SCRI initiatives and communicate changes to goals or deliverables.

• Prepare materials such as newsletters, policy summaries, partner updates, and event invitations for funder engagement.

Required Qualifications

- University graduate doctoral degree in health sciences, or related field.

• Minimum five years of experience in research administration, grant writing, or related roles within an academic research setting.

• Demonstrated success in preparing or supporting Tri-Council or other large-scale funding applications.

• Knowledge of research compliance frameworks.

• Familiarity with institutional research systems (e.g., TRAQ, Research Accounting tools) and compliance frameworks is considered an asset.

• Extensive knowledge of university structure, academic regulations, policies, procedures considered an asset.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

- Strong written and oral communication skills with careful attention to accuracy and clarity.

• Ability to coordinate many tasks at once, manage timelines, and work both independently and collaboratively.

• Solid understanding of major funding programs and their requirements.

• Strong organizational and coordination skills for working with diverse research teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, and related digital collaboration tools.

• Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to inclusive and ethical research practices.

• Comfort working in a busy environment with changing priorities.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at

Skills

• Funding Applications
• Grant Administration
• Policy Interpretation
• Process Analysis

Reference

435931