Senior Scientific Writer

Overview

With minimal supervision, the Senior Scientific Writer is responsible for working with The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) faculty/scientists to prepare grant applications and other scientific communication materials on a wide range of research topics.

Responsibilities include taking a lead role in the preparation of grant proposals, including single-investigator, multiple PI, multi-institutional and/or complex/multi-component ("Center") proposals, with a focus on NIH, DOD and NSF. This includes providing advice and writing and editing support on grantsmanship and, at times, primary writing of specific grant sections; developing standardized language for administrative sections; managing the scientific writing process, including proposal management, team building and coordination;

establishing the application work plan, timeline and deliverables; and proposal draft preparation, review and revision. The Senior Scientific Writer undertakes these activities in collaboration with their RPD teammates and other research support staff within the Sponsored Research Administration (SRA) and Clinical and Translational Research Services (CTRS) teams, as appropriate, to ensure timely, accurate application submission. The Senior Scientific Writer will also participate in onboarding and mentorship activities to ensure unified process and consistency in the delivery of all proposal development and research development services.

The individual must have demonstrated experience in writing and editing scientific grants and manuscripts in the biomedical research realm; must have exceptional grantsmanship, communications, and organizational skills; and must be capable of handling both the scientific writing and project management process for complex multi-investigator and institutional grant applications. The individual must also be capable of collaborating with diverse teams of investigators, senior leadership and administrative personnel and have the ability to relate scientific and strategic goals to individual grant opportunities and other research communications vehicles.

• Proposal development. Provides end-to-end scientific writing, editing and project management support for grant applications and proposals. Support includes: establishing the application work plan, timeline and deliverables in collaboration with JAX's other sponsored research support teams; analysis of funding solicitation, funding agency and/or and past awards to advise PI on sponsor expectations and help guide responsive concept development; iterative proposal development support that includes advice on grantsmanship, conceptual formulation and editorial support;
  
  primary writing of non-research components of proposals, including administration plans, management plans, project summaries, and administrative components; and development of supportive graphics where needed and/or appropriate. For complex, multi-component and/or multi-institutional proposals, this additionally includes proposal project management duties such as managing the application timeline and writing process; monitoring progress and adjusting workplans as appropriate; and team coordination and communication, both with JAX investigators and with external collaborators and collaborating institutions.
• Funding strategy. Participates in discussions and evaluation of funding sources and funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). Participates in agency discussions regarding responsiveness to FOAs. Monitors trends in sponsor funding.
• Edits technical manuscripts, fellowship applications, clinical research protocols and other research communications materials written by faculty, scientific staff and/or trainees.
• Other Research Development activities. Communicates and collaborates with RPD staff on other projects (e.g., grant writing workshops, educational initiatives) as needed in support of the RPD mission and needs of the JAX community.

Required:

• Exceptional written communication skills to prepare and edit competitive grant applications, publications, administrative materials, other research communications and…