At a Glance
- Tasks: Support academics in enhancing research grant applications and securing funding.
- Company: City St George's, a diverse and inclusive university committed to equality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and comprehensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research by helping secure vital funding.
- Qualifications: Master’s or PhD in social sciences with grant writing experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The School of Policy & Global Affairs is currently seeking a Research Grant Advisor and Developer to provide specialist, hands‑on support to enhance the quality, competitiveness, and volume of external research grant applications. Working closely with academic staff in the Departments of Economics, International Politics, and Sociology/Criminology, as well as scholars affiliated with various research centres, the role focuses on strategic grant development, narrative crafting, and iterative proposal refinement to increase success rates with major UK and international funders.
You will provide one‑to‑one support to SPGA academics across the research grant lifecycle: identifying funding, shaping projects, refining proposals, and responding to reviews. Offer hands‑on drafting and editing of key sections, ensuring alignment with funder criteria. Support interdisciplinary bids across Economics, International Politics, and Sociology/Criminology. Deliver training and workshops with the Associate Dean. Share funding intelligence, collaborate with Research Services, and strengthen research culture and grant‑writing best practice.
To be successful in this role, you will hold a Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant social science discipline, with strong knowledge of research processes and peer review. You will have a proven track record in grant writing and/or advisory work with UK and European funders, such as UKRI, ESRC, and Leverhulme. You will bring demonstrable experience in proposal development, narrative framing, and high‑quality editing, alongside strong networks across the research funding landscape. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and workshop facilitation skills are essential, as are strong organisational and project management capabilities. A sound understanding of UK higher education funding, REF, and research impact is required.
Desirable experience includes working within a UK university environment, delivering events and training, supporting interdisciplinary research, and working with early‑career researchers.
City St George’s offers a sector‑leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development. City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors. We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio‑economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.
Research Grant Advisor (REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY) in London employer: City St George's Students' Union
City St George's is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and development of its staff, offering a sector-leading salary and comprehensive training packages. The collaborative work culture fosters innovation and inclusivity, allowing Research Grant Advisors to engage with diverse academic departments and contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary research initiatives. With a strong commitment to equality and diversity, employees can thrive in an environment that values their unique contributions and supports their career advancement.
Contact Details:
City St George's Students' Union Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Grant Advisor (REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the academic world, especially those in Economics, International Politics, and Sociology/Criminology. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities and even recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Brush up on your knowledge of UK higher education funding and be ready to discuss your past grant writing successes. We want you to showcase your skills and how they align with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues. This will help you get comfortable with articulating your experiences and answering tricky questions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing familiar faces from our community!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Grant Advisor (REDEPLOYEE APPLICANTS ONLY) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in grant writing and advisory work. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the Research Grant Advisor role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your successes! Share examples of successful grant applications you've worked on, especially those with UK and European funders. This will help us see your impact.
Be Clear and Concise:When crafting your narrative, clarity is key. We appreciate well-structured proposals that get straight to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your writing is easy to follow.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at City St George's Students' Union
✨Know Your Grants Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the types of grants relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with UKRI, ESRC, and Leverhulme funding criteria. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to enhancing the quality of research grant applications.
✨Showcase Your Editing Skills
Since the role involves hands-on drafting and editing, prepare examples of your previous work. Bring along a few edited proposals or sections that highlight your narrative crafting abilities. Be ready to discuss how you refined these documents to align with funder expectations.
✨Engage with Interdisciplinary Approaches
Given the focus on interdisciplinary bids, think about how your experience spans across different fields like Economics, International Politics, and Sociology/Criminology. Prepare to discuss specific projects where you collaborated with diverse teams and how that enriched the grant proposals.
✨Prepare for the Assessment Exercise
Since there’s an assessment component in the selection process, practice presenting a mock proposal or conducting a mini-workshop. This will help you feel more confident during the actual interview and showcase your facilitation skills effectively.
