Research Centre Support Officer in Edinburgh

Grade and Salary: Grade 6, £31,236 - £36,636 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Part-time (0.4FTE, 14hrs per week) Fixed-term until May 2027.

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

About our Project

The Centre for Financing a Sustainable Future drives research, innovation and partnerships to enable the transition towards sustainable, low-carbon and inclusive financial systems. The Research Centre Support Officer will play a central role in supporting strategic project management, income-generating activities, and communications across the Centre. Working closely with the Centre Director and the wider leadership team, the postholder will help ensure timely delivery against key milestones and contribute to the Centre’s financial sustainability through effective coordination of funding, partnership and operational activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the coordination of income-generating activities, including research funding submissions, partnership agreements, consultancy, and industry engagement initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of upcoming or relevant funding calls/schemes, and identify suitable opportunities for Centre members, and encourage/support them in preparing and coordinating applications.
• Assist with preparation, drafting and collation of project reports; proofread and ensure all documentation is accurate, high-quality and submitted on time.
• Attend project and Centre meetings to record minutes, maintain action logs and support follow-up.
• Liaise and communicate effectively with Centre members, partners, external stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Support the Project Programme Manager in coordinating project resources and providing regular updates, schedules and activity plans.
• Assist in the management and improvement of Centre and project management systems and processes.
• Process, monitor and track project-related expenditure.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of business process review and project management procedures.
• Draft, format and coordinate the issue of high-quality documentation and reports to meet deadlines.
• Engage professionally and confidently with clients, stakeholders, consultants and staff involved in relevant projects.
• Record accurate minutes and circulate them promptly.
• Maintain regular, proactive and informative communication with stakeholders.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrate significant experience in project support, including project management, business process review and systems implementation.
• Practical knowledge of project management administration, with the ability to share knowledge with colleagues.
• Experience or interest in sustainability, sustainable finance, ESG, or other SDG-aligned research areas (Desirable).
• Strong competence in Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project.
• Competence in maintaining Microsoft SharePoint sites and Centre website/social media content.

Formal Qualifications

• Relevant administration or management qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• MSc or PhD (Student) in Finance or a related discipline (Desirable).
• High level of interpersonal, numeracy, written and digital literacy skills, with a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Experience with computerised project management systems is desirable; interest in developing digital and systems skills is essential.

Skills/Abilities/Personality/Disposition

• Self-motivated and able to work to a high standard on own initiative.
• Effective team player capable of contributing to a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a positive, professional disposition.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Interest in sustainability, responsible finance or climate-related research themes is an advantage.

How to Apply

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 can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 26th July 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

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.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.