Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System

Grants and Contracts Coordinator

PI: Dr. Stephen Freedland

The Institute for Medical Research (IMR), an affiliate of the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS), is looking for a full-time Grants and Contracts Coordinator to assist with pre-award research planning for clinical research studies conducted by the Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Freedland, and his associates in his urology research lab. Grants and Contracts Coordinator will report to the Proposal and Grant Writer Team Lead or designee.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be part of a highly productive and dynamic team of researchers. Applicants must have the ability to: work in a fast-paced environment, work on multiple research projects concurrently, communicate effectively, demonstrate good judgement, and sit for long periods in front of computers. Job duties are outlined as follows.

This position is 100% remote. IMR employees must reside in the state of North Carolina.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist with Pre-Award Research Planning:

• Support proposal development for a wide range of award types including investigator-initiated studies, collaborative studies, and company-sponsored studies

• Identify appropriate award mechanisms, if needed

• Facilitate proposal submissions by assisting with budget preparation, statement of work (SOW) development and writing, and contracting

• Perform literature reviews in support of proposal development and insert citations using citation management software

• Facilitate communication with study sponsors, contractors, PIs, and research team members to develop actionable proposal materials

• Assess projects for feasibility and potential financial and contractual risks

• Facilitate development and execution of research agreements including: Non-Disclosure Agreements, Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA),vendor contracts and Personnel Service Agreements

• Vet third-party vendors such as mobile phlebotomy vendors who will provide services for studies conducted by Dr. Freedland’s research team

  Assist with grant writing and submission:

• Assist PI and Director with preparation of grant documents

• Identify appropriate grant mechanisms, if needed

• Facilitate preparation of grant budget and budget justification

• Facilitate preparation of related supporting documents for grant submission including SOW, VA facilities and resources, letter of support (LOS)

• Complete submission materials in a timely manner to meet institutional and grant deadlines

• Provide technical writing support as needed, inclusive of document workflow management

• Perform literature reviews in support of grant and contract writing

• Incorporate feedback from PI, Director, and other study team members into revisions of grant documents

  Work with IMR Administration to facilitate contracts for clinical research performed by the PIs at the DVAHCS:

• Ensure conflict of interest statements have been completed and acquired for all relevant parties

• Ensure language in CRADA, SOW, vendor contract, and other pre-award documents is consistent with each other

• Assist with addressing VA attorney’s questions on CRADA, vendor contract, SOW, and other pre-award documents as needed

• Facilitate with the IMR administrative office the execution of pharma-sponsored study contracts such as CRADA; institutional agreements such as Personnel Service Agreements and sub-awards; vendor contracts with third-party vendors such as a mobile phlebotomy vendor

• Facilitate contracts of contract staff with the appropriate IMR administrative office staff

  Maintain electronic documentation of pre-award documents and meetings related to grants and contracts:

• Maintain electronic documentation of pre-award documents related to grants and contracts including documents received from sponsors and collaborators

• Maintain an organized versioning system of grants and contracts folders and related documents

• Maintain grants and contracts folders of studies by regularly archiving old documents

• Maintain documentation of fully executed contractual agreements

• Document meeting minutes from pre-award meetings and circulate them as needed

  Non-critical elements:

• Work effectively as part of a team

• Adhere to safety and compliance regulations

• Assist other research personnel

  Required Skills and Experience:

Requires an organized, task-oriented, deadline-sensitive individual with a minimum of bachelor’s degree in the life sciences and a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience , strong writing skills, strong basic math skills, and budget development experience. Graduate education may be considered in lieu of work experience.

Candidates must be able to work diplomatically and professionally with administration, faculty, study team leads, and clinical personnel. In addition, must possess the following skills: strong speaking and writing ability, proofreading, telephone etiquette, professional initiative, and a high level of proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Word, and Excel. Knowledge in Microsoft Access, endnote or citation management software, technical writing, urology, and oncology is a plus. Prior experience with clinical research, FDA regulations, grant writing, and HIPAA considerations is preferred. Applicant must have the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and manage the workflow of multiple assignments, lift up to 20 pounds, sit at a computer for long periods of time, and have fluency in the English language.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows: Must be able to occasionally lift, pull, and push a minimum of 20 lbs, stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, regularly use fingers, hands for computer work.

Supervisory Controls: The position of Grants and Contracts Coordinator is under the direct supervisor of the Proposal and Grant Writer Team Lead.

The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Salary Range : $50,000 - $65,000

Salary will be commensurate with abilities and experience.

Employee Benefits: IMR offers a competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, a matching 403b retirement savings plan, and paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Please visit www.imr.org for information about employee benefits.

All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS). As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a drug test. Expected start date is typically 6 weeks following job offer and is contingent upon completion and processing of VA paperwork. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans.

Click here (https://imr.org/careers/) to apply to this position and others directly on the Institute for Medical Research Careers Page (https://imr.org/careers/) !