Senior Research Funding Development Mgr in Newcastle upon Tyne

Salary: £47,389.00 - £56,535.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 19 February 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to develop, manage and deliver the University’s research funding development strategy and service for the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. You will lead and manage the Faculty’s Research Funding Development Team, part of Newcastle University’s Research and Innovation Service. The Senior Research Funding Development Manager will manage and deliver the University’s research funding development strategy and service for the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). The aim will be to maximise research funding from external funding bodies.

You will be based in the Faculty of Medical Sciences and will work with colleagues across the University to manage and deliver a high quality, seamless service to maximise research funding from external funding bodies. You will have skills in the preparation of or support for complex applications for external research funding. You should have well‑established knowledge of research funding agencies and funding streams, preferably in the medical sciences. You will need to have the ability to work effectively on complex, deadline‑driven tasks with colleagues in a range of roles. You should have experience of line‑management and preferably also team leadership.

Informal enquiries are welcome. Dr Johanna Gascoigne‑Owens, Head of Research Funding Development, if you would like to discuss the position.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and manage the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) research funding development team.
• The leadership element will involve:

• Developing a research funding strategy for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, working collaboratively with the Faculty Dean of Research and Innovation, Institute Deans, Head of Faculty Research and members of the Faculty Research Funding Development Team;
• Working with the FMS (and wider) Research Funding Development Team in a motivated and coordinated way to implement this strategy.

• Line management and professional development of the FMS Research Funding Development Team members;
• Working with professional services colleagues in the Faculty, wider University, Newcastle Joint Research Office and NHS to ensure synergy and effective, ‘smart’ research services.

• Gathering and sharing funding information and intelligence;
• Developing, maintaining and using relationships with key funders and other relevant bodies;
• Developing and delivering funding information and training;
• Hands‑on work with applicants, including providing personalised support for large and complex applications;
• Linking with other professional teams in the University and beyond, to ensure a seamless and smart service.

• Interpreting and advising on funder, University and NHS policy and requirements;
• Advising on proposal content and presentation;
• Engaging with our research leaders for their support (for example in internal peer review);
• Developing and delivering funding workshops, training and mock interviews;
• Developing and sharing guidance documents and other resources;
• Arranging visits to and from our key funders.

The Person (Essential)

• Comprehensive understanding of the research lifecycle for fundamental research, experimental medicine and translational research.
• Knowledge and experience of the national research funding landscape and strategy, as relevant to higher education and the NHS.
• Comprehensive understanding of research funding development services.
• Well‑established knowledge of research funding agencies and funding streams, preferably in the medical sciences.
• Experience of managing the preparation of complex research funding applications involving a range of parties across multiple organisations, to tight deadlines.
• Experience of line‑management of others and (desirable) team leadership.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to, work effectively with, advise and persuade individuals from a wide range of backgrounds (including at senior levels) within the University and externally.
• Ability to build relationships with external funding bodies on behalf of the University.
• Proven ability to approach issues from a strategic perspective.
• Ability to recognise the range of skills present and needed in a team and to draw on these to deliver the best possible outcome.
• Able to communicate very effectively, both orally and in writing, in high pressure situations.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience within a professional setting.
• Significant administrative or management experience in a complex private or public environment demonstrating development through a series of progressively demanding roles.
• A PhD or other research qualification (desirable).

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.