Science Writer

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.
Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.

The primary responsibility of the Grant Development Office - Science Writer position is to serve as a scientific writer and editor for grants supporting cancer research, and manuscripts disseminating the results of this research. This position will primarily support the UNC Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence. This position is challenging and requires a diverse, advanced skill set. It entails delivering consistently high-quality insights based on expert subject matter knowledge, actionable verbal and written feedback, facilitating collaboration and communication, along with exceptional writing, editing, and time management skills. The position will meet independently with lead PIs to provide expertise and scientific input on specific aims and approach for components of multi- and single- component grant applications. They will provide input and guidance on the strategy for emphasizing impact and integration/synergy for multi-component and single component grant applications, as well as provide scientific review of feasibility and methodology for the scientific approach. They will provide initial peer review for multi-component and single component grants.

Additional responsibilities include:

* Review individual grant proposal draft text and offer substantive scientific suggestions and queries to improve quality and fundability.
* Work to improve grant text to ensure content is accessible to less-specialized grant reviewers.
* Provide suggestions to improve flow, structure, and logic of research proposals.
* Review format and headings to improve alignment with grant mechanism requirements.
* Generate draft Overview and Administrative grant components.
* Generate draft text for non-science grant documents, e.g., Facilities and Other Resources, Biosketches, and Letters of Support.
* Design and lead trainings and workshops to enhance the writing and grantsmanship skills of investigator/applicants and/or editorial team.
* Provide strategic guidance and advise on grantsmanship to individual investigators and research teams preparing cancer research grants.
* Assess appropriateness of the grant mechanisms for the proposed project and team.
* Provide feedback on feasibility of specific aims and approach of multi-component and single component grant applications.
* Work with individuals and teams to define and refine specific aims.
* Identify gaps or inconsistencies in writing and strategy and propose solutions.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

* Bachelor's or Master's degree in cancer biology, oncology, molecular biology, English or related field.
* Experience in science writing, science strategy, science communication, scientific editing, public and private grant application and management.
* Excellent spoken, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
* High level of self-motivation and personal accountability.
* Extremely strong time management skills.
* Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.
* Demonstrated ability to be flexible, adaptable, and detail-oriented.
* Demonstrated ability to set priorities appropriately, organize workload effectively, and meet deadlines.

* Passionate about helping researchers successfully communicate their work.
* Expertise with word processing, reference, and graphics software (including but not limited to Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint), EndNote, Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, WordPress or equivalent.
* Demonstrated ability to edit academic manuscripts in accordance with accepted publication standards.
* PhD in cancer biology, oncology, molecular biology, English or related field.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.