Research Support Officer

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355

Role Summary

As a Research Support Officer, you will provide professional and academic-facing support to researchers within a defined portfolio, enabling them to develop and submit high-quality funding proposals. You will play a vital role across all aspects of the research lifecycle — from the early identification of funding opportunities, to costing applications, ensuring compliance with internal approvals and funder requirements, and supporting the set-up of awarded and transferred projects.

You will work closely with academic colleagues and Professional Services teams across the University to ensure researchers can access the right support at the right time. This role offers the chance to contribute to the success of research across our Colleges, working across a wide range of funding streams including UKRI, charities, the EU, and others.

You’ll be based on our beautiful, historic Edgbaston campus as part of a friendly, supportive, and collaborative team in the Research Strategy and Services Division (RSSD), which brings together expertise across research strategy, partnerships, policy, governance, and operations.

Main Duties

Contribute to the identification of funding opportunities and their timely and targeted dissemination to academic colleagues; This role is structured around three key objectives:

1. Funding Support: You will work directly with academic colleagues to help them develop and submit competitive research funding applications. This includes identifying and disseminating appropriate funding opportunities, advising on funder requirements, preparing budgets and administrative information, and managing the submission process. You will ensure proposals meet both funder expectations and the University’s internal compliance procedures.
2. Enabling Research: Once funding is secured, you will play a key role in the set-up of new and transferred awards. This includes reviewing and updating budgets, completing funder documentation, and ensuring research management system records are accurate. You will ensure that internal approvals and due diligence checks are in place and will support the identification and escalation of potential risks where appropriate.
3. Collaboration and Development: You will work closely and collaboratively with internal teams and academic colleagues to support research proposals. This may involve coordinating meetings or workshops, capturing key information for applications, or contributing to training and development activities. You will also help maintain a clear view of the research funding pipeline within your portfolio and contribute to regular reporting and planning discussions.

Person Specification

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) - where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required.
• Experience in research development, grant administration, or research management, with knowledge of UKRI, Charities, and EU funding landscapes.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with experience of working collaboratively across teams.
• Proficiency in IT systems, including Microsoft Office and research management platforms such as WorkTribe.

Informal enquiries can be made to Sam Hickman, Head of Research Operations, email: s.j.hickman@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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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

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