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- Tasks: Lead a team in managing pre-award research grants and contracts, ensuring compliance and effective project management.
- Company: Durham University, a leading institution fostering innovation and research excellence.
- Benefits: Permanent full-time role with flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a significant impact on research funding and development.
- Qualifications: Experience in research funding and strong organisational skills are essential.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a vibrant office environment.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related activity, including securing funding, working with partners, supporting knowledge exchange and impact, commercialisation, and ensuring good research practice.
The Research Operations Team, which is the largest team within the Directorate, provides comprehensive support to academic and Professional Support Services (PSS) colleagues across the full lifecycle of a research project. The team delivers pre-award, contracting, post-award and consultancy support. This includes tailored financial and contractual advice from the earliest stages of planning, costing and pricing proposals through to efficient contract negotiation and robust financial management and compliance for awarded projects.
This is a key management position within the Research Operations Team. The post holder will lead a team of approximately six Pre Award Research Grants and Contracts Managers, playing an essential role in staff development and training, acting as a point of escalation, and reviewing and implementing key business processes. A thorough understanding of the UK HEI research funding landscape is essential.
The post holder will also have responsibility for working alongside academic staff, project managing the preparation and submission of large complex bids by contributing to the proposal development, providing costings, and providing specialist advice on funder eligibility criteria whilst ensuring compliance with university policy. Reporting to the Head of Research Operations, you will be a key member of the Senior Management Team.
The role will work closely alongside another Senior Pre Award Research Manager to ensure consistent leadership, effective workload management, and a coordinated, high-quality pre-award service across the institution. It is essential that the post holder is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a pro-active approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial.
A confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with the other members of the Operations Team, Research Development Team, Faculty Officials, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other members of Professional Support Staff. This presents an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to move into a management role.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. Subject to business need, the working pattern can be arranged to suit the successful applicant. Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on campus for the majority of the time for the first three months.
Senior Pre Award Research Manager employer: EURAXESS Ireland
Contact Detail:
EURAXESS Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pre Award Research Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the research field, especially those at Durham University. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the UK HEI research funding landscape. Show us you know your stuff and can hit the ground running in this management role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to build relationships with various teams, so being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is key. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨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 candidates who are keen to join our vibrant team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pre Award Research Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing research grants and contracts. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As this is a management position, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and develop others!
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in this role, especially when it comes to compliance and proposal development. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors, and consider including specific examples that showcase your meticulous nature.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at EURAXESS Ireland
✨Know Your Research Funding Landscape
Make sure you brush up on the UK HEI research funding landscape before your interview. Understanding the key players, funding bodies, and current trends will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
As a Senior Pre Award Research Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on staff development, training, and problem-solving. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle complex bids and compliance issues. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, showcasing your proactive approach.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in forming close working relationships with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with academic staff and other departments to achieve successful outcomes in previous roles.