Funded Research Officer (Term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 101,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts & Science, seeks a Funded Research Officer in the Office of Research Services to advance research funding initiatives and strategic outreach across sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

The role leads grant applications, aligns submissions with program criteria, and supports faculty with funding strategies, workshops, and data resources. Term position with strong emphasis on collaboration, analytics, and policy development.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• PhD would be an asset.
• 5+ years in research administration and fundraising.
• Knowledge of grants lifecycle and funding programs.
• Experience with budgets and financial planning for grants.
• Experience with research metrics and performance data.

Responsibilities

• Implementing plans and process improvements for funding activities.
• Staying informed on funding programs, guidelines and regulations.
• Advising faculty on funding strategies and proposal improvements.
• Leading seminars and workshops on funding.
• Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintaining SharePoint resources and funding databases.
• Disseminating information on funding opportunities to the community.

Skills

Grant development

Budget planning

Stakeholder engagement

Research funding policy

Advanced Excel

Communication

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Science/Social Science/Humanities

PhD preferred

Tools

SharePoint

RIS

FIS

My Research System

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About us

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 28 departments, seven colleges and over 40 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Office of Research Services supports the growth and expansion of funded research, scholarly and creative activities in Arts & Science. Our goal is to help researchers access the resources and supports that are needed to conduct world-class cutting-edge research, and to promote the research excellence of A&S research community members.

Your opportunity

As a key member of the Arts & Science Office of Research Services team, the Funded Research Officer will be joining a high-performance team of grant development specialists, working with some of the world’s best researchers to advance individual researcher plans, activities, and priorities. Reporting to the Associate Director, Strategic Research Development, the incumbent initiates, plans and develops short and long-term strategies to increase research funding and enhance research activity for the Faculty of Arts & Science. The incumbent contributes to a team that works with faculty members and Chairs and Directors of Arts & Science departments to formulate strategies, protocols and programs to identify research funding opportunities and increase research activity in the sciences, social sciences and/or humanities.

Based on knowledge and understanding of the research being undertaken within Arts & Science, knowledge of University and Faculty priorities and granting agency requirements and standards, the incumbent takes the lead in contributing to the preparation and review of research funding applications to ensure that submissions achieve a high quality standard and align with funding program criteria, enhancing the likelihood of funding being awarded to Arts & Science researchers. The incumbent develops and implements a strategic outreach program – rooted in an analysis of faculty research expertise, approach, and strengths, career stage, and available funding opportunities – to promote greater participation and higher success rates in research funding applications. The incumbent advocates for the Faculty and University interests in relation to funding structures and policy development.

In addition, the incumbent develops and maintains research-related resources on the Faculty of Arts & Science Research Services SharePoint as a vehicle for sharing with internal clients. The incumbent is responsible for developing and contributing to the maintenance of a database to administer applicationsand prospects, and to capture data on volumes and trends. The Funded Research Officer organizes and facilitates workshops to support faculty and meets with Chairs and Directors of departments to determine the needs of each unit.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing plans and process improvements for funding activities
• Keeping well-informed on research funding programs, application guidelines, policies/procedures and regulations
• Advising faculty on funding application strategies
• Advising on improvements to draft funding proposals to better meet agency requirements
• Leading seminars and/or workshops
• Researching, analyzing and recommending solutions to research funding applications issues
• Developing and maintaining relationships with contacts whose cooperation is important to the University
• Disseminating information regarding research funding programs and opportunities to the research community

Essential Qualifications:

• A Masters degree in a Science, Social Science, or Humanities discipline, or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. PhD would be preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years recent experience in research administration and related research funding experience in a University or academic environment.
• Knowledge of all aspects of the grants lifecycle, research funding strategies, applications and proposals, research security, and compliance.
• Experience with developing financial estimates for research grant applications, demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with budgets and financial planning to support researchers on the appropriate information and attachments to include with a grant proposal.
• Experience analyzing metrics and providing guidance on research performance information.
• Demonstrated experience working with granting councils and agencies and specific knowledge of provincial, federal (SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC, NFRF, CFI, CRC), and international granting and research funding programs and related application regulations.
• Expertise and experience in the interpretation and application of funding agency policy, criteria and application standards.
• Experience developing and maintaining websites and SharePoint resources.
• Experience developing and delivering research workshops, panels, information sessions, and Department presentations to promote programs, opportunities and initiatives.
• Advanced computer skills (e.g. Excel, Adobe, Word, Power point, co-Pilot).
• Knowledge of the University's My Research System, Financial Information System (FIS) and Research Information System (RIS), and Research & Innovation Dashboards.
• Ability to develop and execute strategies to enhance faculty research funding success rates.
• Ability to foster and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, academic leaders, administrators, funding agencies, and research partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, and promotional skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong project management skills, capable of handling multiple deadlines and priorities.

Assets (Nonessential):

• PhD in a Social Sciences, Humanities, or Science discipline would be considered an asset.
• Works independently as well as in a team environment.
• Proactive and possess strong leadership skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and effectively meet tight timelines.
• Exhibit tact, sensitivity, and judgment in handling confidential information and in dealing with researchers and faculty members, department chairs and directors, administrators and funding agency personnel.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Approachable
• Articulate
• Diplomatic
• Meticulous
• Possess a positive attitude
• Resourceful
• Team player

This is a full-time term position ending in October 2028.

Closing Date. 10/18/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group. USW
Appointment Type. Budget - Term
Schedule. Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone. USW Pay Band 15 -- $101,242 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $129,471. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category. Research Administration & Teaching

Lived Experience Statement Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].