Job Details

PROGRAM OFFICER, UC RESEARCH INITIATIVES

Location: Oakland
Job ID: 19021

Job Posting

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at: Jobs at UCOP

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

This position is part of the Research Grants Program Office (RGPO) within the Office of Research and Innovation (R&I). The RGPO oversees a broad grant making portfolio of over $100 million a year to support research that is critical to California, the nation and the world. RGPO programs enhance UC's research capacity and excellence, which helps attract top faculty, graduate students, government funding and companies to our state. These grants enable researchers to collaborate and solve the most pressing problems in the state and the world. RGPO also provides grants for training undergraduates, graduate and postdoctoral researchers, whose work will benefit California communities. The RGPO consists of several systemwide and statewide grant-making programs, as well as a central operational unit that provides core administrative support for the grant-making enterprise.

The UC Research Initiatives (UCRI) team within RGPO is responsible for the UC systemwide grant-making programs. The UCRI portfolio includes the Cancer Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC), the Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives (MRPI), the UC-National Laboratory Fees Research Program (LFRP), Multicampus Research Units, and other systemwide research initiatives. https://www.ucop.edu/research-initiatives/index.html.

POSITION SUMMARY

UCRI aims to enhance the UC research enterprise systemwide by fostering innovative research and collaboration across the UC campuses, medical centers and UC-managed national labs. Reporting to the UCRI Director, this position has primary responsibility for program development and planning, peer reviewer and applicant relations, grant application and award management, program evaluation and analysis, and representing the program and disseminating research findings to a broad range of stakeholders concerned with UC research across the system. The ideal candidate has an advanced degree with broad research exposure, and research program administration and/or grants management experience in an academic setting. Disciplinary expertise is open, and applicants with specializations in human health sciences broadly defined are encouraged, including behavioral, or health-related social sciences, epidemiology, public health, related human sciences, bioengineering, cancer or infectious diseases, or other expertise relevant to the UCRI portfolio. Enthusiasm for enhancing the UC research enterprise and advancing the University's research mission, and a commitment to diversifying the research workforce at all levels, are key components of this position. In addition to primary responsibilities within UCRI grant-making programs, the incumbent will participate in RGPO-wide special projects and provide cross-functional expertise to other RGPO grant-making programs as needed.

Responsibilities

45%

Grant Application and Award Management: Takes lead role in UCRI funding opportunities in the areas of health sciences, cancer, public health, and related disciplines for both standing programs and special initiatives. Contributes content expertise and effort to the Cancer Research Coordinating Committee, Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives, the UC National Laboratory Fees Research Program and other UCRI and RGPO initiatives as assigned. Works closely with RGPO colleagues to ensure well-run and scientifically sound proposal reviews, and to effectively monitor the research progress and compliance of grant awards. Uses advanced project management and organizational skills to collaborate across units and among stakeholders. Develops solicitations or RFPs for UCRI funding opportunities that clearly communicate the program's research priorities. Ensures application materials are consistent with RFPs and inform a comprehensive review. Identifies a diverse pool of potential expert advisors and peer reviewers and establishes collegial relationships with them. Serves as Research Review Officer during peer review meetings, interpreting program priorities and documenting the research evaluation of applications. Communicates outcomes to stakeholders and applicants. Monitors the research progress of grant awards that span all UCRI research programs. Evaluates change requests and budget modifications, and reviews and approves progress reports. As needed, determines the need for special monitoring or grant actions. Ability to contribute collaboratively across programs and areas of expertise with other team members a must. Assists researchers and grantees in problem-solving, using outstanding judgment in determining the scope and type of appropriate guidance.

15%

Content Leadership and Expertise: Serves as a primary consultant and resource for UCRI in human health sciences, health-related social and biomedical sciences, and related fields including cancer research. Identifies emerging trends in scholarship, and keeps abreast of the latest scholarship and discoveries in UCRI-supported research areas. Serves as UCRI lead program officer for research and scholarship relevant to expertise and develops and expands expert knowledge base in relation to emerging fields of critical research. Contributes content expertise to support broad range of research funded by UC Research Initiatives and other RGPO programs. Serves on RGPO and R&I staff committees, and other ad hoc and expert committees, to advise and provide content leadership in areas of research expertise.

15%

Program Planning and Evaluation: Conceives and develops new award mechanisms within the scope of UCRI. Analyzes outcomes and undertakes evaluation projects using data from the grants portfolio, research intelligence platforms, and other sources. Develops meaningful evaluation strategies that inform both program planning and impact assessment. Seeks novel approaches to achieving research program outcomes in relation to diversifying research opportunities and the research workforce. In consultation with key University stakeholders, coordinates review processes of select research programs. Compiles, analyzes, and communicates priority-setting data to UCRI Director, RGPO Executive Director, and VPR&I. Synthesizes data, distills key issues, and summarizes data for presentation. Formulates recommendations based on evaluation metrics. Keeps abreast of research evaluation trends to inform the development of metrics in specific program areas.

15%

Research Dissemination and External Liaison: Represents UCRI in the programmatic areas of specific content expertise with faculty, researchers, and committees related to the UCRI portfolio or sharing common objectives. Liaises and provides content to UC Strategic Communications to facilitate dissemination of research findings relevant to California and the UC. Identifies compelling research stories and unique findings, gathers noteworthy information, drafts content and frames key stories or outcomes of public interest. Develops content for presentations to various program stakeholders. Collaborates with team and campus stakeholders to plan and execute symposia or other grantee meetings. Proposes topical and content focus for panels, coordinates presentations and other programmatic content.

10%

Cross-functional Teamwork: The Research Grants Program Office is a highly collaborative department. The successful incumbent consistently identifies and supports opportunities for collaboration across RGPO and makes time and resources available for new collaborative projects and initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Experience and leadership ability in research program planning, academic program review, research program oversight, or peer review in a content area relevant to the UCRI Portfolio.
• Demonstrated experience in research management, including knowledge of research grants administration and policy. Experience with research proposal preparation and with evaluating research reports and budgets to assess compliance and modification requests.
• Proven project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects with a proactive, results-oriented approach. Strong organizational and planning skills. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines with initiative, and successfully lead complex projects with minimum supervision.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and judgment. Advanced skills in analyzing information, identifying solutions, evaluating their implications, and formulating alternatives, particularly in relation to research management.
• Outstanding collaboration and demonstrated teamwork ability.
• Excellent client relations skills. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and mutually supportive working relationships with a range of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills to both establish trust, and to translate complex scientific concepts into everyday prose.
• Facility with all commonly-used office software (eg: Outlook, WORD, Excel, Visio, Box) required.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in health-related disciplines to complement team expertise. Broad exposure to research related to key disciplines in the UCRI portfolio, and willingness to contribute broadly across all areas of scholarship strongly preferred.
• Ability to assess research outcomes in fields outside that of disciplinary expertise or field of the earned doctorate. Ability to contribute to program planning and grants oversight in a wide-range of disciplines beyond own disciplinary expertise.
• Direct experience facilitating the smooth conduct of collaborative or multi-location research projects strongly preferred. Enthusiasm for supporting a range of research endeavors that advance the UC research enterprise strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in research training, research grantmaking, the conduct of research and in supporting the public benefit of research.
• Knowledge of UC policies and procedures and research-related experience at UC or at one of the UC-managed national laboratories a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a high volume, fast-paced work environment.
• Facility with web-based database and content management systems desirable. Familiarity with evaluation tools like SciVal, and programming languages (eg python, R, or other coding) to facilitate portfolio-wide data analysis for UCRI and RGPO.

Education

• Advanced degree in relevant academic discipline area and/or equivalent experience/training.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $106,500 - $124,200 commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is July 8, 2021. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, Office of the President, strives to make this job board accessible to any and all users. If you have comments regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at: Accessibility or email the Human Resource Department at: epost@ucop.edu.

*LI-SG1



To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=19021&PostingSeq=1

jeid-5be4e8f42b9a7741a7736c50ab6ed676





Copyright 2017 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency