Senior Research Officer

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 02 January 2024

The Role 

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motived Senior Research Officer to join our team in the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). You will help deliver the Faculty Research Strategy with specific responsibility for the supporting the development and submission of research grants and the administration of research policy and performance within the Faculty.

With line management responsibility for a team of Research Officers, you will ensure the delivery of an excellent service to the Faculty, Schools, Institutes and individual researchers with a focus on supporting grant application process and assisting in the delivery of strategic and operational activities.  Strong leadership, communication, staff management and relationship building skills are essential.    

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Wayne Younger, Deputy Head of Faculty Finance wayne.younger@newcastle.ac.uk.
 

Key Accountabilities 

• Inspire, lead and manage a visible, proactive and agile team of Research Officers (RO) in the Pre-Award Finance team to support academic research activities across the Faculty

• Working closely with the Head of Faculty Research and Deputy Head of Faculty Finance, identify and implement mechanisms that support a thriving, inclusive and supportive environment for research proposal development and clear understanding of the proposal pipeline within the Faculty

• Ensure agile and visible RO support for all research proposals across the Faculty, bringing in specialist teams from across the University (for example, Research Funding Development, Business Development and Joint Research Office)

• Ensure that the Pre-Award Team provides comprehensive advice and support to researchers relating to all areas of application development and actively supports the costing of proposals, ensuring appropriate and fully maximised costing of applications

• Co-ordinate and ensure appropriate support for the timely submission of high-quality complex funding applications

• Ensure that the Team has the knowledge and expertise to advise and signpost researchers in relation to non-finance support- such as sponsorship, ethics, funder guidelines, data management plans and trusted research

• Develop close working relationships across the University and NHS partners and implement processes and mechanisms to ensure that there is seamless support to the end-to-end grant process and that this is communicated clearly to colleagues

• Work with the Head of Faculty Research and Deputy Head of Faculty Finance and with colleagues in other Faculties to ensure that opportunities to enhance and create a consistent approach to research support are optimised

• Contribute to the induction and appropriate training for research colleagues

• Develop and maintain an awareness and understanding of higher education policy developments relating to research funding including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Research England and other key funders and agencies relevant to the Faculty

• The post holder will report directly to the Deputy Head of Faculty Finance (FMS) and will work across faculty where appropriate

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience  

• A sound understanding and knowledge of the research environment

• A demonstrable understanding of how to build a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion

• Experience of line management of team and/or individuals

• Effective collaboration, influencing and negotiation skills in an environment where resources may not be within their direct control

• An ability to recognise and analyse the dynamics of problems and issues and provide innovative solutions

• An ability to think strategically and comfortable working at a complex level including the management of conflicting priorities and demands

• Experience of research administration either with a funding agency or higher education institution. (Desirable)

• Experience of costing and managing projects or equivalent experience. (Desirable)

• Experience of developing and implementing strategy in the research environment, preferably in a HEI or other research focussed organisation. (Desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour 

• Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, collegiate, transparent, and open manner, acting with integrity and able to build trust with colleagues and partners

• An energetic and “can do” approach which will inspire and enthuse others, ready to take the lead in driving forward initiatives

• A role model of the University values and guiding principles who promotes a culture of mutual respect

• An articulate and confident communicator, able to deal with difficult situations and to challenge where necessary

• An exceptional team player confident in working in partnership with others within and outside the organisation

• An ability to act objectively in dealing with complex problems, issues and decision making

Qualifications 

• Degree or equivalent level qualification and/or experience in a similar role

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 25572