Applications are invited for the role of Research Development Officer to support the Research Development Team. The post will be line managed within the management structure of the team.
The Research Development Team provides an essential, high-quality, pre-award service for academic colleagues applying for externally funded research including, but not limited to: identifying funding sources, preparing proposals, costing, pricing and submitting funding proposals, dealing with project finance, reporting to funders, advising on research impact, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, research strategy and policy, ethics and governance, information systems and audit.
Research Administration (Pre-Award)
- Provide support to Principal Investigators for research grant proposals, to include: checking research proposals and costing for accuracy and compliance with University and funder regulations; tracking the process through to outcome and award setup; providing training to staff on research proposal costing, completion of on-line grant submission systems.
- Provide data reports and statistical analysis, on request, to staff, such as members of the School Management Groups, Directors of Research and other Research Engagement teams.
- Provide support to the School’s Research Institutes, to include: maintaining research data and identifying and disseminating relevant funding news and opportunities to staff.
- Provide support for inductions and Worktribe training.
- Provide support for the operation of Research Policies (such as Peer Review, Ethics and Data Management)
- Responsibility for maintenance and data integrity of University research management systems
- Liaise with external partners, such as Funding Councils and other Universities.
- Liaise with the Research Grants Office and School Finance teams to ensure that pre-award finance information and/or data provided to staff is accurate.
- Liaise with the other University departments such as Research Engagement, Finance, HR, etc. to ensure the smooth running of proposals submission and project set-up.
Other duties
- Contribute to the development and implementation of improvements to the working practices, services provided, and the administrative systems of the Research Development Team
- To undertake other activities as agreed with the Research Development Manager
Experience (examples of specific experience sought)
Essential criteria
- Experience of providing relevant administrative support.
- Excellent numerical skills with the ability to prepare accurate budgets and costings.
- Experience of collating and analysing data and producing summary reports.
- Experience of providing advice on regulations, policies and procedures to different audiences.
- Experience of using large database systems (e.g. research costing tools, research output repositories, Finance system etc.).
- Ability to make informed decisions and to identify creative solutions to problems.
- An understanding of how to make appropriate modifications to existing procedures and systems on the basis of knowledge or experience.
- Ability to explain issues and procedures clearly and concisely to all (including academic staff).
- Possess a positive and professional attitude to providing support to others, even in difficult or challenging circumstances.
- Highly competent in the use of Microsoft Office, in particular: Outlook, Word, Excel.
- Experience of keeping abreast of developments in the Higher Education Sector.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of full economic costing and the ability to explain it clearly and concisely to academic staff.
- Experience of supporting research proposal submissions.
- Comprehensive knowledge of research funding council regulations and experience of applying these to research grant proposals.
- Experience of funding body submissions systems.
- Experience of preparing budgets and costings for research or knowledge exchange projects.
Education, qualifications and experience
- Educated to honours degree level or equivalent.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to produce high quality written work independently.
- Experience of working on their own initiative, and proactively in their approach to managing day-to-day affairs in the office.
- A flexible and adaptable approach, coupled with the ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
- Good all round organisational and forward planning abilities. The post-holder will be expected to work under pressure and handle changing priorities effectively and, at any one time, balance a varied group of concurrent projects and activities.
- A strong customer focus and experience of developing a service to meet customers’ needs.
- A high degree of attention to detail and accuracy of working in all areas relating to the post.
- Experience of team working and effectiveness as a good team player.
- Able to apply a working knowledge of theory and practice, sharing this knowledge with others as appropriate.
About the team
Heriot-Watt has an ambitious agenda in research and knowledge transfer and Research Engagement is the key professional services department involved in both the development and delivery of this strategy. To do this, the Research Engagement Directorate (RED) has developed a range of both specialist and generic skills coupled with flexibility of both process and support. Success for Heriot-Watt rests in the ability of academic colleagues to respond to and take advantage of opportunities to carry out world-class research and knowledge transfer supported by RED and by others.
The role of Research Engagement covers research development, Research Excellence Framework management, impact & knowledge exchange, public engagement, academic development, IP and contracts at Heriot-Watt University. RED supports academics and other researchers as well as senior managers in establishing relationships with funders and partners and developing collaborative links with users of our research. We also work closely with researchers, other support in academic schools and centrally.
The Research Development Team provides a centralised, pre-award service for academic colleagues of all applying for externally funded research. The team covers all 5 Schools at Heriot-Watt University. The prime function of the post will be to contribute to the delivery of the Research Development Team objectives, development and delivery of training events on campus including administration and coordination of activities.
We have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership, and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities. Our values describe our deeply held beliefs and our community spirit. They characterise not only how we are as higher education institution but also frame how we want to be https://strategy2025.hw.ac.uk/our-new-values/
How to apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Tuesday, 21st May 2024
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Informal enquiries about this vacancy can be made through the hiring manager, Nisha Patel (n.patel@hw.ac.uk)
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
