Grant Writer
About Xycota Biosciences Xycota is a preclinical neuro-therapeutics company developing XYCO-01, a sub-perceptual microdose psilocybin candidate for mild PTSD, targeting BDNF/TrkB signaling. A first-in-human study is planned in Canada. A parallel program applies an exosome-delivered approach to frontotemporal dementia, for which an Orphan Drug Designation application has been filed. We are not a psychedelic startup. We are a mechanism-driven neuro company working with a compound class that others have treated as a brand. That distinction shapes how we write, how we raise, and who we hire. Founded by Brad Listermann (CEO) and Dr. Marvin S. Hausman, MD (CSO). The Role We are hiring a contract grant writer to own our non-dilutive funding pipeline. This is a build-from-here engagement. You would be the first person in the seat. What you would own Funder identification and a prioritized submission calendar. Full application drafting: specific aims, research strategy, commercialization plan, budget and justification. Coordinating scientific input from our CSO and academic collaborators. Submission mechanics and compliance across eBRAP, Grants.gov, eRA Commons and foundation portals. Resubmission strategy on anything that scores but does not fund. Near-term targets already identified: DoD CDMRP, Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program. NIH SBIR/STTR. Neurodegeneration and trauma research foundations. Who Fits Demonstrated federal wins, ideally NIH SBIR/STTR or DoD CDMRP. Tell us what was funded and for how much. Comfortable writing to a preclinical evidence base, including building a mechanistic argument from adjacent-model literature. Fluent in budgets, justifications and compliance, not only narrative. You work independently and you tell the CEO when a target is not worth chasing. GPC credential is a plus, not a requirement.
Compensation
Contract, remote, flexible hours. Rather than post a number, we would like you to propose how you would structure the engagement. We are open to retainer, per-application fee or milestone structures, and to an equity component alongside cash. To be clear up front: we will not structure this as a percentage of awarded funds, which is prohibited under the GPA code of ethics and unallowable on federal awards. To Apply Send a short note with two things: one application you wrote that was funded, one that was not, and what you took from the second.