Research Grants & Contracts Specialist

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is the world's only independent, non-profit scientific institute dedicated to improving public health and well-being through the scientific study of taste, smell, and the related senses. The Center has approximately 120 employees and is engaged in an expansion program that will bring substantial additional scientific, technical, and administrative staff over the next five years. The Center is conveniently located in University City, near the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and public transportation. For more information, visit our website at
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Grants & Contracts Specialist to support the Office of Research Administration by working with Monell's scientists, administration, and external funders both before and after the award process.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Pre-Award:

• Maintain grant tracking databases and files
• Record and monitor external deadlines, and create internal timelines to reach them.
• Collaborate with and support senior grant personnel as needed to reach deadlines with competitive applications
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Academic Affairs, the Corporate Partners Program, Development/Fundraising, and Monell Executives to confirm eligibility for funding opportunities
• Assist faculty and scientists with grant application preparation for federal, state, industry, and foundation awards:
  • Communicate application instructions and internal policies to applicants; ensure instructions are followed.
  • Develop compliant budgets supporting applicants' projects.
  • Copy-edit and upload final documents to grant portals.
  • Obtain signatures for transmittal forms for Federal grants, and provide oversight in this area for Monell's non-Federal grants
• Assist with completing Just-In-Time (JIT) requests and providing documentation required for the administrative review of grant applications.
• Monitor cloud-based project management tools for federal and non-federal grants.
• Manage the Center's System-to-System (S2S) electronic grant preparation (Cayuse) and submission to Grants.gov.
• Manage user accounts on eRA Commons, Fastlane, and other federal funding programs.
• Review required compliance approvals prior to submission of research grant proposals.
• Interpret funding opportunity announcements, NOAs, and other grant-related documents for scientists.

Post-Award:

• Maintain Monell's post-award grant budget management software by drafting and import budgets, creating accounts and cost centers, and setting and adjusting salary allocations as requested by principal investigators.
• Collaborate with the Business Office, Human Resources, and Payroll to facilitate information exchange on grant and funding changes, new hires, and terminations.
• Run and distribute effort certification reports; ensure they are signed by principal investigators annually.
• Collect and maintain documentation supporting all account modifications requested by principal investigators
• Run monthly IT Works financial reports on accounts and personnel to monitor spending.
• Conduct meetings with principal investigators to review funding status and grant applications as needed or as requested
• Provide investigators with account, budget, contract, salary allocation, and other funding-related information as needed.
• Assist with gathering information to help investigators submit requests for institutional support; coordinate and attend meetings with investigators, the Director of Research Administration, and the CFO as needed to discuss financial needs and project progress.
• Work with senior grant staff to coordinate quarterly Grant Review & Discovery meetings
• Assist with completing annual and final progress reports
• Maintain knowledge of Research Administration processes and procedures, including IACUC, IRB, IBC, departmental procedures, and funder requirements, ensuring compliance throughout the application process and award duration.

Education & Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience in Research or Research Administration is required. A degree in a scientific discipline is preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines under high pressure.
• Ability to manage complex work flows and stay goal focused.
• High level of competency with Microsoft Office programs
• Expertise in Grant Management and Accounting systems preferred
• Expertise with the Code of Federal Regulations and NIH grant policies preferred
• Expertise with budgeting preferred
• Excellent communication skills. A background in science communication and scientific editing is a plus.
• Desire and ability to provide expert service to Principal Investigators who conduct biomedical research.
• Detail-oriented with high integrity and honesty in managing confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity.
• A team-oriented, respectful, and accepting attitude towards all individuals both within and outside the Center

Monell offers competitive and comprehensive benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, 403b matching retirement, etc.
Monell provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates or employees in any aspect of employment, any personnel practice, or in any term or condition of employment without regard to a person's age, gender, pregnancy, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, current or former membership or service obligations in the U.S. Armed Forces, or any other protected characteristic. Various federal, state and local laws specifically prohibit discriminatory practices.
Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience in Research or Research Administration is required. A degree in a scientific discipline is preferred.

Application Instructions:
Please apply through our Career Center by following the link below.

Job Type : Full-time
Benefits :

• 403b
• 403b matching.
• Dental Insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off.
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule :

• 8-hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate : Remote eligible. This position is eligible for a fully remote schedule with all work performed remotely. Hybrid or in-person are also options depending on the candidate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Monell provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.