Lead Research Advisor, Grant Development Services

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 108,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Ottawa seeks a Lead Research Advisor in Grant Development Services to advance strategic research funding initiatives. You will support researchers and cross‑functional teams in creating compelling grant applications to Tri‑Agency and other funders.

Your role includes expert guidance, coordination, and timely delivery of high‑quality submissions. The incumbent provides hands‑on support, leveraging significant knowledge of Canada’s funding landscape, stakeholders, and trends in

Qualifications

• Experience in developing complex, multi‑disciplinary grant proposals.
• Ability to analyze grant agency guidelines and requirements.
• Proven capability to coordinate cross‑institutional research teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage full cycle of complex, multidisciplinary grant proposal development.
• Edit complex applications to ensure a convincing proposal for a multi‑disciplinary review panel.
• Lead liaison with researchers and granting agencies to optimize funding opportunities.
• Develop training modules and outreach for researchers on funding processes.

Skills

Grant development

Project management

Budget development

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Campus:

Tabaret Hall

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Posting Reason:

New Position

Job Type:

Employee

Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments):

36

Job Family:

Research and Program Support

# of Open Positions:

1

Faculty/Service - Department:

Strategic Grants Initiatives

Campus:

Tabaret Hall

Union Affiliation:

N/A

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/09/11

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/09/22

Hours per week:

35

Salary Grade:

Non-Union Grade NM1

Salary Range:

$107,503.00 - $134,379.00

Application Details:

• Please submit a cover letter along with your resume.

Position Purpose:

Reporting to the Director, Grant Development Services, the Lead Research Advisor, Grant Development Services, develops and implements strategic projects and activities to improve the success of research funding requests and increase the University’s research intensity. The incumbent provides hands‑on support to research teams, in collaboration with cross‑functional teams, in the development of compelling research funding applications to Tri‑Agency and other grant funding agencies. The Lead Advisor, Research and Program Support brings scientific/scholarly expertise and significant knowledge of Canada’s research funding landscape, stakeholders, researchers, networks and current and future trends in research funding strategy and compliance.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Priorities and Initiatives: In collaboration with Director and team members, supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy and structure of support to increase success in multi‑million‑dollar research grant opportunities that leverage the University’s priorities and unique research strengths. Supports new approaches to research collaboration, creating a state‑of‑readiness, establishing priorities for response and creating cross‑linkages and collaboration with the research community, faculties and OVPRI units. Follows research activity trends within the University and externally in order to identify priorities and recommend new initiatives.

Advisory Services and Research Support:

• Project management of full cycle of complex, multidisciplinary grant proposal development including ensuring early preparation, ongoing point‑of‑contact, expert advice, communication with the research team and key stakeholders and advancing successful proposals to post‑award administration;
• Analyzes and interprets granting agencies’ requirements and guidelines;
• Supports the assembly of intra‑institutional (across faculties and affiliated institutes) and inter‑institutional expert research teams;
• Undertakes outreach to multi‑sector partners, including identifying suitable partners aligned to the research goals;
• Manages internal and external review processes;
• Prepares institutional application sections, supports budget development and generation of schematics;
• Expertly edits complex applications to ensure a convincing proposal suitable for a multi‑disciplinary review panel.

Operations:

As lead point‑of‑contact for a given project or grant development process, the incumbent will plan, organize, guide and oversee the project and processes with all stakeholders to ensure priorities and activities are undertaken as effectively and as efficiently as possible. Develops and implements internal project management regulations and procedures in order to improve efficiency and strategic relevance. Analyses and solves complex administrative problems in a timely manner.

Liaison and Guidance:

Liaises between researchers and granting agencies to ensure that all parties possess the information they need to optimize their chances of success. Designs and leads workshops and information sessions for researchers on how to prepare high‑quality funding requests and on administrative procedures related to research management in order to provide clarity and streamline the process. Cultivate relationships with external partners and collaborators for large research grants and programs. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including faculty research offices, affiliated institutes, researchers, program managers, and finance teams, to gather necessary information and ensure a comprehensive approach to a project or grant proposal development. Consults and provides expert guidance to faculty, staff, and university‑wide administrators on complex grant developmental issues.

Research Promotion:

Effectively communicates strategic research funding opportunities, developmental support available and administrative processes. Implements processes for internal support and early targeting of researchers and outreach to advise on eligibility criteria, deadlines and other important details. Develops training modules and undertakes outreach activities such as workshops, test‑your concept‑sessions and training sessions to better prepare researchers and teams to compete for large‑scale, strategic, interdisciplinary peer‑reviewed grants and contract research. Identifies possible funding sources for interdisciplinary research projects.

Reports:

Conducts research and surveys, and compiles data, statistics and other information related to research trends, interdisciplinary research activities, and research funding. Uses this information to provide management with advice and recommendations and to help with long‑term strategic planning.

Special Project Management:

Plans and manages assigned special projects as needed. Defines special project scopes, determines steps, monitors relevant progress, makes adjustments throughout the process and ensures efficient communication between participants.

Supervision:

Provides required supervision for administrative support work performed by employees and ensures that tasks are completed in accordance with stated norms and instructions