Research Development Officer

Role Summary

It is a really exciting time to join the University of Birmingham – we have set ourselves an ambition to be one of the world’s top 50 institutions by 2030. The Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) is looking to recruit a talented individual to support academics in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences across all elements of pre-award research support including proactive research development and partnership building in support of research proposals.

Main Duties

• Be the identified point of contact for researchers in a defined School/Institute or portfolio of activity on the development and submission of research applications and contracts, working as part of a wider Research Support Team to ensure researchers receive professional support throughout the process;
• Work closely with researchers, their partners and collaborators on all aspects of the research development, preparation and submission of funding proposals to UK, EU, International funding bodies, liaising with external partners/collaborators and internal colleagues across the Division; 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus significant relevant practical experience - where no equivalent qualification is held substantial practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences, and to produce and analyse source material, information and data.
• Knowledge of the UK research funding ecosystem, key research funders and an understanding of their processes.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of providing research support across research grants and/or contracts, ideally in a Higher Education setting
• Experience of successfully leading/coordinating the development of research grants and/or research contracts, including a proven knowledge and skills to successfully enhance the quality of applications through critical review.
• Skills or experience of effectively identifying and assessing risk and proposing suitable mitigating steps
• Experience of developing/negotiating budgets and/or contracts terms.
• Experience and professional judgement to help to identify and implement improvements in service quality and efficiencies, delivering high quality customer service across own service area and beyond.
• Experience of successfully engaging, and collaborating, with internal and external stakeholders to build teams, deliver key outcomes or resolve challenges across a wide range of activities.
• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information and present conclusions clearly and concisely to senior audiences, internal and external.

Informal enquiries to Ross Slater [email protected] .  

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button below or visit our careers website; edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/requisitions quoting the appropriate job reference number.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working