Research Facilitation Officer (Maternity Cover)

Location: Department of Biology, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ 

The Research Facilitator is a key member of the research funding team for Biology, led by the Research Funding Manager. Biology has around 80 Principal Investigators, with 400+ grants from over 30 different funders. The department’s funding portfolio is one of the most complex and diverse in the University.  We submit over 160 applications per year with a combined total value of around £70m. Biology projects are funded by a wide variety of funding bodies, and the nature of our work means there are numerous international collaborations, partnerships and consultancies. 

You will work closely with the Research Funding Manager and other team members, and the Associate Head of Department for Research, to provide pro-active support and advice for highly competitive research grant applications to a range of funders. 

You will be responsible for ensuring that applications are formulated in alignment with Departmental strategic objectives and policies and will have the maximum chance of success both at the application stage and during delivery. You will identify and promote opportunities, coordinate input from appropriate sources, give advice to potential applicants, liaise with the Department’s Finance and HR teams on costings, ensure that approvals are in place and deadlines are met, and that for successful applications there is a smooth transition from pre- to post-award. 

You will have outstanding team working skills and the ability to work effectively with all stakeholders and inspire confidence of grant-holders and funders.  You will also have proven experience of the research grants sector and the principles of good grant management. You will need to demonstrate strong financial skills and the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload working to strict deadlines. 

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria. 

This is a full-time (part time at 80% fte will be considered) maternity cover role for 15 months. 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 9 April 2024, interviews are likely to be held mid-April 2024.