Core Facility Research Prof
University of Iowa Health Care, Department of Medicine Administration is looking for a Core Facility Research Professional to be responsible for working on various types of projects (e.g., editing, teaching, and resource development) in the Scientific Editing and Research Communication Core (SERCC) within the Carver College of Medicine. They will be expected to work in a highly collaborative research environment, with users across a broad range of career levels (faculty, fellows, post-docs, staff, and students) and subject areas. They will be a point of contact for scientific editing and writing projects and expected to provide detailed feedback on documents at multiple levels, including: science/technical aspects of the research, presentation, style and clarity, and mechanics. In addition, the candidate will be expected to assist the SERCC Director in developing seminars and workshops on topics relevant to scientific writing and to teach such courses independently, as well as to prepare resources for authors and assist the SERCC Director in gathering metrics related to core effectiveness, analyzing such metrics, identifying strategies to improve services provided, and training new staff. The Core Research Facility Professional may also be asked to participate in the development of complex, multi-projects proposals, to represent the core at meetings of other university offices/units, and to participate in professional development activities.
Percent Time: 100%
Duties to include:
- Work closely with researchers as part of a full-service core facility, guiding them in how to make technical and specialized scientific content accessible to broad audiences, occasionally including lay readers, and identifying gaps in the logic of the science as well as making suggestions for how to fill such gaps.
- Critically analyze and interpret experimental data from across the biomedical disciplines, as presented in figures, tables, and methods sections of grant applications and of research manuscripts that will be submitted for publication.
- Provide support at the interface of research and the effective communication thereof.
Literature Review/ Data Analysis (Funder/Published Expectations)
- Critically review and interpret the scientific literature to ensure that claims made in grant applications and research manuscripts are accurate, in particular with respect to the novelty and impact of research findings.
- Remain current on the evolving requirements and expectations of funding agencies and scientific journals, and convey this information to users in timely fashion.
Educate, Train and Consult (Teaching)
- Assist in developing seminars and workshops on various aspects of scientific communication, and present them independently.
Facilities, Equipment and Information Management (Information dissemination)
- May help identify gaps in readiness for grant or paper writing, and assist in finding appropriate funding opportunities and collaborators.
- May help convey information about the evolving requirements and expectations of funding agencies and professional journals to users via SERCC resources such as its website, grant-writing templates, and newsletters.
Administrative and Financial Responsibility for Fee-for-Service Operation
- Assist in maintaining the core's project-tracking system, data server, user accounts, backup and archiving of projects, and project-scheduling/reservation system.
- Review facility billing for accuracy and submit to manager/director for approval.
- Assist in generating, collecting, and analyzing data on effectiveness of the core.
- May suggest updates to the SERCC website.
- May represent the core at meetings with other university offices/units that are involved in research development across the UI campus.
Human Resources/ Supervision
- Participate in weekly office meetings and actively contribute to discussions, process improvements, and group projects.
- May participate in hiring of staff, as well as in their training and managing their performance to assure they are efficient, as well as compliant with UI policies and procedures.
Education Required
- B.A. and 5–7 years of experience in an area within the biomedical sciences or a related field; a major in science and an advanced degree in a biomedical field are preferred. Applicants with an advanced degree in the sciences or writing are encouraged to apply.
Required Qualifications:
- 3 or more years of experience in technical writing or editing of research proposals and manuscripts, preferably in an area within the biomedical sciences or a related field.
- Working knowledge of requirements of funding agencies (in particular, of the National Institutes of Health)
- Experience writing and/or editing manuscripts for journals covering the biomedical sciences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualifications:
Highly desired qualifications
- Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility in working style to match the needs of clients submitting proposals, and a high degree of professionalism and diplomacy.
- The ability to develop working relationships with campus faculty and staff and to collaborate with research development professionals in other units.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to multitask and work on short deadlines.
- Excellent command of Microsoft Word (including editing functions), Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience with graphics software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator or BioRender).
- Demonstrated ability to provide high quality customer service in a deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting and to work on multiple projects concurrently.
- Experience developing, organizing, and teaching courses in scientific writing and grantsmanship.
If interviewed, the candidate may be asked to complete an editing exercise.
Position and Application details:
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
· Resume
· Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact stacy-pruter@uiowa.edu
Hybrid within Iowa: This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
