Research Project Administrator

Research Project Administrator

Temporary 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Breath HR

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support impactful research by coordinating projects and ensuring smooth operations.
  • Company: Join an award-winning charity dedicated to transforming mental health understanding.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a wellbeing allowance, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with regular team socials and a focus on wellbeing.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health research while honing your organisational skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in administration or project support with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Help research that could change millions of lives. Are you an exceptionally organised administrator who enjoys keeping projects running smoothly? Would you like your work to contribute to research that could transform how mental health conditions are understood, diagnosed, treated and ultimately prevented? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for a proactive, highly organised Research Project Administrator to join our growing Research Team. You'll play a vital role behind the scenes, providing first-class administrative and project support that enables our researchers, project managers and lived experience contributors to deliver research with real-world impact. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an award-winning charity where your organisational skills will genuinely make a difference.

The Role

As our Research Administrator, you'll be the person who helps keep our research programmes organised, efficient and moving forward. Working closely with Project Managers and Programme Leads, you'll coordinate meetings, maintain project records, support budgets and payments, organise events and workshops, and ensure our systems and documentation remain accurate and up to date. You'll also play an important role in supporting the involvement of people with lived experience of mental illness, helping to coordinate communications, contracts and payments while ensuring every interaction is professional, organised and welcoming.

No two days are the same. One day you might be organising a research workshop with leading academics, the next preparing project documentation, coordinating contributor payments or helping the team track progress across multiple programmes. If you enjoy variety, love bringing order to complexity and take pride in getting the details right, you'll thrive in this role.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate internal and external meetings, including scheduling, agendas, papers and follow-up actions.
  • Take clear, accurate meeting minutes and track actions.
  • Support Project Managers with budgets, invoices and financial administration.
  • Maintain project plans, trackers and systems including Monday.com and Microsoft Teams.
  • Keep research documentation accurate, organised and up to date.
  • Support surveys, data collection and reporting activities.
  • Help organise workshops, roundtables and stakeholder events.
  • Coordinate the recruitment and onboarding of lived experience contributors.
  • Prepare contributor contracts and maintain accurate records.
  • Coordinate payments and communications with external contributors.
  • Work closely with colleagues across Finance, Marketing and Research to ensure projects run smoothly.
  • Build positive relationships with researchers, academics, people with lived experience and other external partners.
  • Ensure information is handled confidentially and in line with GDPR.

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who is naturally organised, enjoys supporting others and takes pride in delivering high-quality work. You’ll probably have around three to four years' experience in an administrative, research or project support role and be confident juggling multiple priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

  • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication.
  • Experience supporting meetings and coordinating projects.
  • Confidence managing budgets, invoices and payments.
  • Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
  • Experience using collaboration platforms such as Teams, Zoom and Google Workspace.
  • The ability to manage confidential information with care and professionalism.
  • A collaborative, flexible and positive approach.

Additional Desired Skills

  • Experience working within research, higher education or the charity sector.
  • Experience supporting surveys or research projects.
  • Experience organising conferences, workshops or stakeholder events.
  • Experience using project management software such as Monday.com.
  • Advanced Excel skills.
  • A degree in health, social sciences, economics or another relevant subject (or equivalent experience).

Benefits

  • £1,200 annual wellbeing allowance per annum
  • 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Hybrid and flexible working
  • Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service
  • Life Assurance
  • Cycle to Work and season ticket loan schemes
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Regular team socials and wellbeing events
  • A genuinely supportive, collaborative culture where your ideas matter

Equal Opportunity

We believe in equality and inclusion and we welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job.

Research Project Administrator employer: Breath HR

Join an award-winning charity that is dedicated to transforming mental health research and making a real-world impact. As a Research Project Administrator, you'll thrive in a supportive and collaborative culture that values your organisational skills and offers a range of benefits including a £1,200 annual wellbeing allowance, 28 days of annual leave, and opportunities for professional development. With hybrid working options in London, this role not only allows you to contribute to meaningful research but also fosters your personal growth in a dynamic environment.

Breath HR

Contact Details:

Breath HR Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Project Administrator

Get Involved in Local Volunteering

Dive into some local volunteering opportunities! Nonprofits often look for temp workers who have a connection to the community they serve. By getting involved, you not only gain experience but also make valuable contacts in the sector.

Tap into Nonprofit Networks

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Attend Sector-Specific Events

Join meetings, workshops, or talks hosted by organisations in the nonprofit realm. These events are perfect for making connections and learning about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised. Plus, you can showcase your passion for social impact right there!

Don’t Forget Online Applications!

When you spot a temporary role at Breath HR that piques your interest, go ahead and apply through their website! Tailor your message to highlight how your skills align with their mission – it shows you care about the cause, which is key in this field.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Project Administrator

Organisational Skills
Project Coordination
Meeting Management
Budget Management
Financial Administration
Documentation Management
Data Collection

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Impact:In the world of nonprofits, it's all about the passion and commitment to making a difference. Make sure your cover letter speaks genuinely about why you're excited about this role at Breath HR. Share any experiences you've had with social impact projects or volunteering — it shows you live and breathe the cause!

Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills:For a temporary position in the nonprofit sector, focus on showcasing any specific skills or experience related to project management, community engagement, or fundraising. List any relevant work or volunteer roles on your CV, and consider including quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.

References from the Sector:Including references from previous roles in the nonprofit world can really bolster your application. If you've worked on similar social-impact projects before, ask those colleagues or supervisors if they'd be willing to vouch for your skills. This adds credibility and shows you're trusted in the sector, which can be a big plus for Breath HR.

Be Ready for a Quick Turnaround:Since this role is temporary, let your interest shine through in your application! Mention in your cover letter your availability to start immediately or at short notice. It shows you're keen and ready to dive right into the exciting work at Breath HR!

How to prepare for a job interview at Breath HR

Show Your Passion for the Cause

When interviewing for a role in the non-profit sector, especially for a temporary position, it's crucial to convey your genuine passion for social impact. Discuss why the mission of Breath HR resonates with you and share personal experiences that reflect your commitment to similar causes.

Demonstrate Your Flexibility and Adaptability

Non-profit projects often require quick pivots and resourcefulness. Be ready to share examples from your past where you've adapted to changing circumstances or tackled unexpected challenges. This will show your potential as a valuable, nimble team member for the Research Project Administrator position.

Know Your Community Tools

Familiarise yourself with any tools or platforms that are widely used in the non-profit sector like project management software or stakeholder engagement tools. Show your readiness to hit the ground running in your temporary role by discussing any experience you have with these or similar platforms.

Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect to field scenario-based questions during your interview to assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about how you would handle challenges typical of the non-profit sector, such as engaging with diverse stakeholders or managing project timelines effectively.