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UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) is an independent research center at the University of Washington. Its mission is to deliver to the world timely, relevant, and scientifically valid evidence to improve health policy and practice. IHME carries out its mission through a range of projects within different research areas including the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries, and Risk Factors; Future Health Scenarios; Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency; Resource Tracking; and Impact Evaluations.
IHME has an outstanding opportunity for a Scientific Proposal Writer (IHME Proposal Development Officer (E S 8 SEIU 925 IHME)) to join the Proposal Development Team. The primary purpose of this position is to support the development of high-quality proposals for a variety of scientific topics that broaden the quantitative evidence base for health. This individual will write and guide the development of proposals in collaboration with researchers and senior staff through a range of potential funding mechanisms including competitive grants, contracts, and services agreements.
This position is integral to IHME being able to sustain funding of existing projects and spur growth of new research areas aligned with IHME’s organizational goals to expand the quantitative evidence base in health. The Scientific Writer will possess a commanding knowledge of IHME’s interdisciplinary quantitative science in fields including epidemiology, biostatistics, survey methodology, health economics, demography, and social determinants.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Proposal Development and Scientific Writing
- Write high-quality interdisciplinary scientific proposals for funding in conjunction with faculty, staff, and project managers, including background statements, research approach descriptions, deliverable statements, management plans, letters of intent, briefs, concept pitches, acknowledgments, presentations, and other communications.
- Provide and incorporate constructive feedback into proposal materials in consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI) and other team leads for greater accuracy, clarity, grammar, and syntax.
- Translate complex scientific concepts and data into novel scientific directions and approaches that highlight IHME’s competitive strengths and advantages through scientific proposals.
- Demonstrate command of central research objectives and related activities at IHME in order to strategically identify, assess, and recommend potential funding opportunities.
- Recommend funding sources and specific proposals to IHME’s senior leadership for final authorization to pursue them.
- Participate directly in scoping processes for new proposals.
Project Management
- Effectively delegate and implement development plans across multiple proposals to achieve demanding, dynamic, and time-sensitive proposal milestones.
- Work with coordinators and specialists on the Proposal Development and Financial Planning teams to align on deadlines, responsibilities, timelines, and communication strategies across the technical and non-technical components of proposals.
- Manage content creation, review, and revision, taking responsibility to ensure high-quality proposals for internal and external reviews.
- Maintain familiarity with a range of funding mechanisms, including competitive grants, contracts, and work for hire.
- Prepare and present briefings for IHME faculty and leadership for consideration of different proposal opportunities.
- Develop and manage relationships with external partners who could collaborate in proposal development.
Research Learning and Command
- Maintain a commanding knowledge of the intellectual material and key analytic concepts that relate to the interdisciplinary quantitative science behind proposal ideas.
- Maintain awareness of organization and team-level goals, as well as institutional strategic plans.
- Maintain a functional understanding of how to use IHME’s visualization and data download tools.
- Maintain familiarity with and contribute suggestions for expanding IHME’s institutional partners.
- As needed, perform literature reviews and background searches, collect and interpret data and information.
General
- Develop and implement trainings for faculty and fellows at IHME in proposal development best practices.
- Provide constructive critique to faculty and other research team members.
- Recommend improvements in writing/editing policies, processes, and tools.
- Support team development and strengthening by creating and implementing systems and opportunities to promote effective communication.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in a science or social science discipline or related and five years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in research preparing and managing competitive proposals.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to understand highly complex scientific material and translate this information clearly.
- Outstanding intellectual capability, proactive problem-solving abilities.
- Must possess excellent interpersonal, verbal, writing, and time management skills.
- A commitment to working to alongside others at IHME to illuminate the health impacts of systemic racism.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s or PhD in social sciences, health sciences, data sciences, or other related degree.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Weekend and evening work sometimes required.
- This position is open to anyone authorized to work in the US.
- Office is located in Seattle, Washington. This position is eligible to work fully remote in the US.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity.
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