Pre-Award Officer

Hours per Week: 17.5

Interview Date: Tuesday 06 October 2026

Do you enjoy helping researchers turn funding opportunities into strong, successful applications?

We’re looking for a Pre-Award Officer to join the Research & Innovation Operations team. You’ll help support the University’s research and innovation culture by matching academic expertise with suitable funding opportunities, supporting grant applications and helping colleagues navigate funder requirements, costings and internal processes.  This role will mainly be supporting Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS).

Working with colleagues across BDRI, academic schools and external funders, you’ll play a key role in supporting high-quality applications and helping to increase research and innovation income.

As Pre-Award Officer you can expect to be involved in:

• Identifying research and innovation funding opportunities from commercial, charity and government sources
• Supporting academics with grant applications, costings, guidance and award acceptance
• Building relationships with academic colleagues, funders and external partners
• Keeping up to date with funding developments and sharing insight across the University

What will you bring to the role?

• Understanding of the university research environment and UK research funding system
• Experience supporting research or innovation grant administration
• Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work accurately under pressure
• Strong IT, communication and relationship-building skills

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• Hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs) 
• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

For more information about what you can look forward to if you join us, visit our dedicated webpage: Working at Kent

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post.

For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number BDRI-018-26-R.

Further details:

Job Description
Additional Information

*Occasionally we may need to close a vacancy before the published deadline due to a high number of applications being received, therefore we strongly advise you to submit your application as soon as possible. (All vacancies will be open for at least one week.)

PLEASE NOTE: We prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

We know applicants may use AI tools to help prepare job applications. For guidance on how to use AI responsibly and effectively, see: Using AI in your job application

Applications must be made via the University’s online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.

The University of Kent values diversity and equality at all levels.

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