Position Overview

The MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Grants Office is seeking a dynamic and motivated Senior Grant Writer to support pre-award research administration and help faculty successfully secure extramural funding.

This role plays a critical part in collaborating with faculty on proposal development, preparing submission materials, entering data in PeopleSoft, and serving as a liaison with Sponsored Programs. The position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and is passionate about supporting impactful research.

Key Responsibilities

• Proposal Development & Coordination
  • Lead and coordinate the preparation of complex, multi-investigator grant proposals across departments, colleges, and external institutions
  • Collaborate with faculty on proposal strategy, development, and submission
  • Manage timelines and ensure compliance with sponsor deadlines
• Grantsmanship & Faculty Support
  • Mentor junior faculty through the grant-writing and submission process
  • Provide detailed feedback on proposal drafts to strengthen competitiveness
  • Advise investigators on format, style, and content
• Compliance & Submission
  • Interpret sponsor guidelines, policies, and requirements
  • Compile, review, and prepare proposal materials to ensure compliance
  • Enter proposal data into PeopleSoft and complete required institutional forms
  • Serve as a liaison with Sponsored Programs for final submission
• Collaboration & Training
  • Participate in planning meetings and budget development
  • Partner with the CAFNR Research Team to design and deliver grant training sessions
  • Facilitate interdisciplinary partnerships across campus and with external collaborators
• Policy & Strategic Support
  • Provide guidance on grant policies and procedures to faculty and leadership
  • Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Research on strategic initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with prior experience developing proposals, preparing/submitting grant applications from federal agencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Collaborative mindset with a passion for supporting research