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SCIENTIFIC GRANT WRITER

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent and world-class biomedical research institute dedicated to determining the fundamental molecular origins of disease and translating those findings into effective therapies. VAI is home to more than 400 scientists and staff that work in on-site laboratories and collaborative partnerships that span the globe. VAI is organized into five departments, one of which is the Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming (MNP). 

The Metabolism Department is actively seeking a talented SCIENTIFIC GRANT WRITER to support our faculty members in preparing, writing and submitting grant applications for extramural funding opportunities. In addition, this person would assist with preparation and coordination of needed documentation to support extramural collaborations, liaising with other VAI offices to secure material transfer agreements, research collaboration agreements, and institutional review board approval for human subjects research. In addition, assistance with submission of scientific manuscripts may also be associated with this position.

This position would assist five current Metabolism Department laboratory groups—led by Drs. Russell Jones, Connie Krawczyk, Heidi Lempradl, Sara Nowinski, and Ning Wu—as well as any faculty funded by our endowed Metabolic and Nutritional Programming (MeNu) Program.

IN PARTICULAR, YOU WILL:

• Search for and identify potential funding sources to support the lab’s research.
• Write/edit high-quality grant proposals for submission to a variety of funding institutions.
• Contribute to the scientific knowledge and analytical skills in the preparation of grant proposals, manuscripts, collaboration documentation, and human subjects’ research protocols.
• Provide full life cycle editing and writing support for grant submissions, including managing timelines and project milestones, collecting figures, illustrations, and information from various sources, editing documents and coordinating with multiple stakeholders involved in the submission.
• Steer research projects and acquisition of preliminary data for individual and group efforts.
• Work closely with the Sponsored Research Office to compile and submit grant applications in a timely manner.
• Liaise with the Translational Research team and the Business Development and Technology Transfer Office to procure needed legal documentation to support extramural basic research and clinical collaborations.

WHAT TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS ARE EXPECTED OF YOU?

• Highly motivated, ambitious, possess strong planning and organizational skills and brings innovation/creative thinking about science.
• A strong commitment to building and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Strong skills and enjoyment in scientific writing.

QUALIFICATIONS

Realistically you would possess a Ph.D., have expertise in Molecular and Cellular Biology (or related field), have completed postdoctoral training experience, and possesses a strong record of successful grant writing proposals. We will consider a Master’s degree with broad and in-depth experience in technical writing.

In addition, you should also possess:

• Ideally 3–5 years of experience in grant writing proposals and peer-reviewed publications. This includes strong writing, editing, and preparing high-quality written scientific documents.
• Experience in submitting grant proposals to National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and other federal, non-profit, and/or private funding agencies and organizations.

We are also open to you working both on-site and a remote work schedule; however, the person must have a residence in the State of Michigan.

HOW TO APPLY

If you possess these attributes and enjoy working with motivated and driven people, we would welcome speaking with you and encourage you to apply today BY SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

1. A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and additional qualifications
2. An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
3. A list of 2–3 references along with their contact details.

Please contact Eric Miller (eric.miller@vai.org) for further information or questions, or if you have any difficulty with the application process.

AS VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE IS A DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE EMPLOYER, ALL PROSPECTIVE NEW EMPLOYEES UNDERGO A URINALYSIS/DRUG TEST AS PART OF OUR PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS. PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES WILL ALSO UNDERGO A BACKGROUND CHECK (CRIMINAL HISTORY AND MISCONDUCT, EMPLOYMENT, AND DEGREE VERIFICATION).

AT VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AT VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE, ALL EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID-19. “FULL VACCINATION” IS DEFINED AS TWO WEEKS AFTER BOTH DOSES OF A TWO-DOSE VACCINE OR TWO WEEKS AFTER A SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE HAS BEEN ADMINISTERED.

ABOUT GRAND RAPIDS, MI

Van Andel Institute is located in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, the second-largest city in Michigan. Grand Rapids offers a remarkable combination of cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community, and IS RANKED 19TH IN "AMERICA'S TOP 100 PLACES TO LIVE."

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theatres, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods.  With a medical and life sciences industry boom, strong entrepreneurial activity, dedication to green building and living, and innovative employers, Grand Rapids' diverse economy continues to grow, offering endless career opportunities.  

VAI IS ACTIVELY STRIVING TO DIVERSIFY ITS WORKFORCE AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS TO APPLY.

VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) AND VIETNAM ERA VETERANS READJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE ACT (VEVRAA) EMPLOYER.

Required Skills Required Experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and deliver programs for pre-teens (10-13).
• Collaborate with program staff on best practices to support and engage pre-teen members.
• Delivery of BGCB core programs, activities, and events as directed.
• Assist in the supervision and discipline of members participating in programs and services within the program area as well as throughout the clubhouse as deemed appropriate.
• Participate in collaborative programs and events with staff from other clubhouse departments as well as staff from other BGCB clubhouses and community organizations as appropriate.
• Assist program partners and consultants who can offer related instruction, support and guidance to members.
• Participate in program/service outcome measurement processes and other evaluations programs including BGCA''s annual evaluation Commitment to Quality as appropriate.
• Orient, train and supervise department staff as assigned.
• Provide annual performance evaluations for applicable staff in a timely manner.
• Secure, maintain and monitor budget, materials, equipment and other resources belonging to the program area(s). Maintain a clean and safe program area(s).
• Participate in individual and group supervision sessions; participate in professional development opportunities as appropriate.
• Travel between sites and to activities as needed.
• Other related duties as specified by the Director of Operations.