Research Development Officer in London

About us

It’s an important time to join London South Bank University (LSBU) Group. With the launch of our new LSBU Group Strategy, Connecting, we’re shaping the future of tertiary education for a global, technology-driven economy – rooted in London.

Professional and technical education has been central to LSBU Group’s mission since our founding in 1892. Today, as London’s first integrated tertiary education group, we continue to lead the way on learner-centred, skills-focused education.

Comprising London South Bank University, South Bank Colleges and South Bank Academies, connectivity lies at the heart of all we do.

Since 2019, LSBU Group has grown beyond its three founding institutions to form a powerful network of learners, staff, alumni, employers and policymakers – united in our mission: to challenge social and economic inequalities through applied education, insight and partnership.

We are a powerhouse for inclusive education, enterprise and economic growth, connecting potential to opportunity and enabling people to thrive. Our Group network enables us to create learning pathways and connect people and organisations. This ensures learners are supported through the education system to achieve their full potential and can contribute their skills and energies locally and to wider society.

Our new strategy, Connecting, sets out a bold, ambitious vision for LSBU Group and it’s developed in collaboration with colleagues, student groups, partners and stakeholders.

Focused on delivering good jobs for all our learners, we are proud to be employer and skills led, delivering excellent professional and technical teaching which supports future talent and careers to deliver impact for London and beyond.

Working for us

Our ambition is to create educational pathways that empower people of all backgrounds and talents to realise their aspirations, add to the knowledge base, and contribute their skills and drive to wider society.

To realise our ambition, we need people with energy, courage and imagination, who are enthused by our vision and recognise our values as theirs; people who bring ideas to enrich our approach to learning, research and innovation; collaborative people who love creating and spreading knowledge; brilliant people who seek growth and yearn to make a positive, personal difference.

At LSBU Group, you will get to contribute to a vibrant and dynamic culture, which is fuelled by purpose, built around people, and is genuinely diverse. You will be trusted and recognised for your unique contribution.

You will be part of a great team, turning your passion into purpose.

The role

London South Bank University is looking for a Research Development Officer to join our Research and Innovation Services team and help turn ambitious research ideas into competitive funding proposals. London SouthBank University are excited to be recruiting for the post of Director of Research & Innovation Servicesto lead their highly skilled Research and Innovation Services (RIS) department. The RIS team collaborates with academics to leverage the opportunities, funding and business connections needed to deliver LSBU’s ambitions for research, innovation and enterprise. The partnerships it creates focus on tackling social, technological, economic, and environmental challenges; delivering real-world outcomes and solutions that have a tangible impact.

Working closely with academic colleagues, you will identify relevant funding opportunities, advise researchers on funder requirements, and coordinate the development, costing, approval and submission of research proposals from across LSBU’s disciplines. You will give clear advice on the financial and resource implications of a project, including Full Economic Costing, and work with colleagues across the University and at partner institutions to keep complex bids moving to the funders’ strict deadlines.

Alongside individual applications, you will share funding intelligence and contribute to training and briefings for academic colleagues. You will report to RIS’s Research Development Manager in a permanent 0.6 FTE post, with hybrid working.
This position offersthe successful candidate with the opportunity to provide inspirational leadership for adedicatedteam of staff who supportthe coordination and development of large, interdisciplinary research& innovationproposals, workingacross Schools and supporting the Principal Investigators. The postholder will ensure RIS provide expert insights and guidance on the UK and international research funding landscape, horizon scanning for major funding opportunities that fit with the University’s identified research themes,and initiate, develop, and maintain excellent relationships with external funding bodies and stakeholders.Enhancing our business engagement, contract research, knowledge exchange, student enterprise, CPD and short course activity will be an important component of the position.

What you will bring

The ideal candidate will:

• You will bring a practical understanding of how strong research proposals are developed, costed and successfully submitted. You will be comfortable combining detailed, accurate work with constructive advice and relationship-building.

• A successful track record of developing and submitting research funding applications to a range of funders.

• Practical experience of costing and pricing research activity, including a good understanding of Full Economic Costing and TRAC methodology.

• Experience of coordinating bid-development activity, managing multiple contributions and keeping applications on track against fixed deadlines.

• A good understanding of the UK and international research funding landscape, with the ability to interpret funding calls and identify opportunities relevant to academic expertise.

• The confidence to advise and work collaboratively with academics, professional services colleagues, external funders and partner institutions.

• Experience of delivering workshops, briefings or training, with the ability to explain detailed information clearly and accessibly.

• Strong organisational and analytical skills, including experience of research administration systems, accurate record-keeping and established operating procedures.

• An understanding of relevant research policies and good practice, including open research, data management, research integrity, governance and ethics.

• Above all, you will be a collaborative and approachable colleague who takes pride in providing a responsive, accurate service and helping researchers turn promising ideas into fundable projects.

• Have extensive experience of research, innovation and enterprise activity.

• Experience of working with a broad range of research and innovation fundingschemes, and in supporting cross-institutional research and innovation services.

• Experienced at organising and facilitating workshops/events.
• Significant experience of REF and KEF, pre- and post-award funding and support, researcher development, as well as IT and business systems to support research & innovation.

Benefits and How to Apply:

As a leading Higher Education Institution LSBU offers staff a highly competitive benefits package including holiday entitlement starting at 26.5 days per annum, professional development opportunities and flexible working. Full details on the range of benefits we offer can be found here.

The person specification for this role alongside applicant guidance on what to submit within your application can be found within the candidate pack attached. Applications must be submitted via the &slshquotApply Online&slshquot button below.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 1st November 23.59 pm

Interview/assessment - week commencing 9th November

We are happy to talk flexible working and reasonable adjustments and aim to make our recruitment and selection process accessible to all, please contact us to discuss any support you need. The diversity of LSBU’s staff and students is a source of our strength and the richness of ideas and perspectives that this diversity brings makes LSBU a unique place to work.

If you have any questions related to your application, please email the recruitment team hrdsr@lsbu.ac.uk

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.