The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is hiring an experienced full-time Grant Specialist. This position works at the nexus of science and finance at the Center by providing pre-award and post-award grant support to several scientific Principal Investigators (PIs). It is vital to the success of the Center's scientific community.

The Grant Specialist role is a service-oriented position that requires the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and juggle competing priorities while maintaining positive and collaborative relationships. The successful candidate will build a partnership with their PIs to manage a financial portfolio made up of multiple projects from a variety of funding sources.

For more information about Danforth Center and our work, visit our Danforth webpage.

Responsibilities:

• Pre-Award (35%)
  
  • Review grant RFPs/FOAs and create checklists for proposal submission
  • Communicate internal proposal deadlines to the proposal team, including subaward organizations, and manage the proposal process to ensure deadlines are met
  • Update personnel documents (Biographical Sketch, Current & Pending Other Support, Collaborators & Affiliations) and review with the PI
  • Provide appropriate proposal document templates to the PI and assist with updating them to meet solicitation requirements
  • Review proposal documents against formatting and content requirements and coordinate updates with the PI
  • Work with the PI to create the proposal budget and write the budget justification; ensure the budget meets solicitation requirements
  • Input proposal record into InfoEd for internal review by Finance and scientific leadership
  • Communicate with internal and external co-PIs throughout the proposal process to ensure subaward documents are obtained for both internal review and proposal submission
• Post-Award (60%)
  
  • Track funding sources (grants, subawards, start-up, industry) and assist PI or Core Facility Director with managing their portfolio by creating monthly budget and projection reports; provide guidance during decision-making
  • Process invoices for payment, including subaward invoices
  • Review subaward agreements and track subaward expenditures/reporting; work with appropriate subaward contact to resolve issues
  • Identify, prepare, and submit expenditures requiring cost transfer, budget adjustments, and salary allocation changes
  • Assist the PI with annual/progress reports
  • Perform project close-out activities in concert with Finance
  • Assist with capital equipment orders by coordinating with Finance, ensuring necessary internal codes are created, equipment ordered, and Finance is notified to begin capitalization
  • Communicate and coordinate with the Finance Department on items/issues that arise during project execution to ensure internal policies and federal/sponsor guidelines are met

Overall (5%)

• Suggest process improvements with management and share with the team
• Support systems implementations by participating in requirements gathering meetings and performing testing
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Pre- and post-award grants management/research administration experience with exposure to various federal agencies (NSF, DOE, USDA, NIH)
• Demonstrated budgeting, financial, analytical, critical thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to meet deadlines and build positive relationships with internal and external collaborators
• Experience with grant management lifecycle, grant submissions, grant budgeting, writing budget justifications, and project financial management (tracking performance to budget, identifying necessary adjustments, etc.)
• Solid proficiency in Excel (understanding/creating complex formulas, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, utilizing complex workbooks, etc.). Proficiency with Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Ability to organize, multitask, manage time efficiently, prioritize responsibilities appropriately, be proactive, and work both independently and collaboratively while demonstrating professionalism and respect.
• Strict attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards, especially cost allowability is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining collaborative and professional relationships.
• Possess a service-oriented mindset, be eager to share knowledge, and be willing to identify and lead process improvement initiatives.
• Actively contributes to a positive work environment.
• Experience with Research.gov, Grants.gov, and InfoEd is desirable.
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3-5 years' experience of pre- and post-award grants management/research administration experience or relevant experience

Submission:

• Cover letter clearly describing research interest and career goals
• CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references