At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the administration of research grants from application to reporting.
- Company: Join King's College London, a hub of academic excellence in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a permanent full-time role with competitive salary and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that supports innovative research in diverse disciplines.
- Qualifications: Strong communication, organisational skills, and experience in research administration required.
- Other info: Applications must include a CV and a structured supporting statement.
The predicted salary is between 32402 - 37374 £ per year.
About us:
The Faculty of Arts & Humanities is distinctive in representing academic excellence across a diverse range of disciplines, from longer established disciplines such as Philosophy, Classics, and English, to more recently established fields including Digital Humanities and Film. Located in the heart of London, the Faculty enjoys close ties with globally significant cultural institutions such as the British Museum, Shakespeare's Globe, and the National Portrait Gallery. Its more than 400 Postdoctoral Research students (PGR) are an integral part of the Faculty's research environment, contributing to its vitality and innovative outlook.
The Faculty Research Grants Team is a specialist team within the Faculty Office responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of externally-funded grants. Working collaboratively, the team is responsible for providing a positive administrative experience for researchers in applying for new grants as well as delivering their grant objectives for existing grants within the scope of funder and university policies.
About the role:
The purpose of the role is to support the administration of processes linked to the lifecycle of research grants, from application to final reporting for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Working closely with principal investigators and as directed by the Research Operations Manager (Grants), the postholder will provide support for all externally funded research grant activity. The postholder will liaise with Research, Management & Innovation Directorate (RMID) staff and other College Research Management teams, Finance, HR and other central service providers to ensure effective delivery of a seamless research grant support service. This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.
About you:
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to manage time effectively, work flexibly and prioritise workload
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels
- Excellent organisational and planning skills and the ability to work to competing deadlines
- High degree of numeracy
- Experience in general and financial administration
- An understanding of grant application processes including costing and funder guidelines - particularly international grants
- Knowledge of the Higher Education research environment
- Experience of relevant research administration or project management experience in a similar or related role
- Ability to track budgets and prepare reports in line with requirements
- Experience in delivering a customer focused service
We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.
As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
To ensure fair and consistent assessment, applicants must structure their supporting statement using each item of the person specification as a heading. Under each heading, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the criterion by providing a specific example from your experience. Applications that do not follow this format will not be considered.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our 'How we Recruit' pages.
Grade and Salary: £38,482 - £43,249 per annum inclusive of London Weighting
Senior Research Operations Officer employer: European Commission
Contact Detail:
European Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Operations Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific grant application processes relevant to the role. Understanding the nuances of international grants and the associated costing will give you an edge in discussions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles at King's College London or other institutions. They can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for your preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your customer-focused service skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully supported researchers or teams in previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration in research administration.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your financial administration skills, particularly in tracking budgets and preparing reports. Being able to discuss your experience with these tasks confidently will highlight your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Operations Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and required skills for the Senior Research Operations Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Structure your supporting statement using each item of the person specification as a heading. Under each heading, provide specific examples from your experience that demonstrate how you meet the criteria. This is crucial for making your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any experience you have in research administration or project management, particularly related to grant applications. Mention your familiarity with financial administration and your ability to track budgets, as these are key aspects of the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement for any errors or inconsistencies. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are essential for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at European Commission
✨Understand the Research Grant Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the entire lifecycle of research grants, from application to reporting. Be prepared to discuss your experience with grant processes and how you can contribute to the Faculty's objectives.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent oral and written communication skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Abilities
Highlight your organisational and planning skills during the interview. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've managed competing deadlines and prioritised tasks in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Financial Administration Questions
As financial administration is a key aspect of the role, brush up on your knowledge of budgeting and reporting. Be prepared to discuss your experience with tracking budgets and preparing financial reports.