At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage research grants, ensuring smooth delivery and compliance with funding conditions.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at King's College London, a leader in research excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with an indefinite contract and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a passionate team and develop your skills in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research funding management and support innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in research award management and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Post-Award unit at King's College London is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Research Grants Administrator to be part of our thriving unit and support the award management function within the team. As a Research Grants Administrator, you will be responsible for the full award management function, ensuring the seamless delivery of services, monitoring work in progress, and reporting on projects.
You will be part of the International Team, managing a portfolio of research projects primarily funded by the European Commission and Horizon Europe grants under the UKRI guarantee. You will optimise the efficient management of research funding by ensuring the accurate and timely management of funding from project initiation through to closure. This includes maintaining awareness of changes to terms and conditions affecting allowable costs and post‑award administration.
Effective administration involves overseeing staff requests, such as contract renewals and new recruitment, providing high‑quality reports and financial returns and supporting audits when required. You will monitor grant expenditures to ensure adherence to grant conditions, coordinate the recovery and administration of indirect costs, and provide ad‑hoc reports and financial returns as needed. Drafting or assisting with correspondence to funding bodies for grant term variations and working strategically to reduce overall research debt are critical aspects of this role. Setting clear goals and targets for the team will ensure a methodical approach to managing research funds effectively.
This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week), offered on an indefinite contract. The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Knowledge and understanding of research award management.
- Track record of providing accurate, timely and accessible financial information to management and senior staff.
- Organised and determined, with excellent attention to detail and strong task‑management orientation.
- Strong proficiency in literacy and numeracy, accompanied by exceptional attention to detail.
- Experience with developing research grants administration tools/processes/best practices.
- Proven understanding and prior experience with working with EC and NIH projects.
- Previous experience in supervising, training and mentoring other team members.
- Desirable criteria
- Proficiency in research administration software and systems, such as Worktribe, Unit4, or specialised grant management tools.
- Experience in developing and implementing processes and procedures related to research grant administration.
- Accountancy qualification or studying toward such a qualification.
- Experience dealing with audits, particularly in responding to queries and providing appropriate supporting documentation.
Senior Research Grants Administrator employer: King’s College London
At King's College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Senior Research Grants Administrator, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development, with access to training opportunities and resources tailored to enhance your skills in research award management. Located in the heart of London, our institution offers a vibrant atmosphere, competitive benefits, and the chance to contribute to impactful research projects funded by prestigious grants, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Grants Administrator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the research grants field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their projects. We recommend practising common interview questions related to grant management and being ready to discuss your experience with EC and NIH projects. Show them you're not just a fit for the role, but also passionate about their mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you navigate the application process and find the right role for you. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Grants Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in research award management. We want to see how you've successfully managed grants before, so share specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key for this role, so ensure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate a well-organised application that reflects your strong task-management orientation. Take the time to proofread!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to the job description. Use the same language and keywords found in the posting, especially around financial reporting and grant management. This shows us you understand what we're looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at King’s College London
✨Know Your Grants Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the different types of research grants, especially those from the European Commission and Horizon Europe. Familiarise yourself with their terms and conditions, as well as any recent changes that might affect funding. This knowledge will show your commitment and expertise in research award management.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Senior Research Grants Administrator, being organised is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects or deadlines in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, highlighting your attention to detail and task management orientation.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with financial reporting and grant expenditures. Bring specific examples of how you've provided accurate and timely financial information to management. This will help illustrate your proficiency in literacy and numeracy, which is essential for this role.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Since you'll be part of a team, think about your previous experiences in supervising, training, and mentoring others. Be prepared to discuss how you've set clear goals and targets for your team, and how you've worked strategically to reduce research debt. This will show your leadership skills and ability to work collaboratively.
