Research Grants Officer, International, VP Research

Description

VP Research invites applications for 2 Research Grants Officers. This Full‑time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Research Services Office (RSO) supports the University of Calgary's research community in advancing the institution's research enterprise. RSO aims to increase sponsored research revenue, mitigate financial, reputational, and operational risk, and ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements. With a mandate to provide timely and effective pre‑ and post-award services, RSO is accountable to the Vice‑President (Research) and operates within a complex, competitive environment, serving researchers, faculties, university leadership, and funding agencies.

Within RSO, the Research Grants and Training Programs Division comprises International Research Grants, External Grants, the Postdoctoral Office, and Internal Grants. The International Research Grants team provides application development support, institutional review, and post‑award services for a wide range of complex funding programs. These include international government agencies, foundations, charitable and non‑for‑profit organizations, U.S. federal agencies, and the European Union.

This position has a particular focus on the Horizon Europe program, reflecting Canada's status as an associated country and the resulting increase in institutional engagement. Horizon Europe is the European Union's primary funding program for research and innovation, with a budget of €96 billion, addressing global challenges such as climate change, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthening competitiveness and economic growth.

As a member of the Research Grants and Training Programs Division, the Research Grants Officer (RGO) reports to the Manager, International Research Grants. The role requires strong independent work skills, as well as excellent time management, organizational, and communication abilities. While the RGO may consult with the Manager on complex matters, the position carries significant autonomy in managing day‑to‑day responsibilities.

• Communicate expert knowledge of Horizon Europe and other international funding opportunities through multiple channels.
• Collaborate with the International Partnerships team and faculty‑level partners to design and deliver workshops and information sessions on funding opportunities, proposal development, and application processes.
• Interpret and translate complex policies governing European funding programs (e.g., indirect costs, open science, gender equality, GDPR) for researchers, in collaboration with institutional experts.
• Maintain active connections with peer institutions across Canada to share best practices and emerging developments related to Horizon Europe.
• Build and maintain relationships with European funding agencies and national contact points within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Ensure proposals and grant management arrangements comply with university policies, minimize institutional risk, and meet sponsor requirements.
• Work with the RSO Research Security team to ensure compliance with pre‑award research security requirements.
• Develop guidance materials, tools, and resources for researchers in collaboration with RSO colleagues and other support units.
• Review grant applications at various stages of development, applying appropriate levels of analysis and criteria, and provide constructive, strategic feedback to improve competitiveness and ensure compliance with applicable policies and requirements.
• Provide ad‑hoc support to other non‑international grant competitions as needed.

• Liaise with university legal teams to facilitate the negotiation and execution of research agreements.
• Work with the RSO Research Security team to ensure ongoing compliance with post‑award research security requirements.
• Ensure that all applicable research activities have current and valid human research ethics, animal care, and biosafety approvals or permits.
• Review and submit post‑award…