At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of high-value research funding bids and partnerships.
- Company: Join the John Innes Centre, a leader in plant and microbial sciences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research funding and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Degree in biological sciences; experience in research funding proposals.
The predicted salary is between 47450 - 52560 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Bids Coordination Lead to join the Directorate, supporting the development and delivery of high-value, strategically important research funding opportunities at the John Innes Centre. The post holder will play a critical role in shaping, developing, and delivering large-scale, complex, and collaborative bids, working at the interface between JIC science, external partners, and the NBIP Research Grants & Contracts team.
The role will focus on identifying strategic funding opportunities, supporting the development of competitive bids and partnerships, and strengthening the Institute's position within an evolving and increasingly collaborative funding landscape. Working closely with the Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture, Group Leaders, and key stakeholders, the post holder will provide in-depth, high-level support to a focused portfolio of strategic bids. This will include drafting and refining scientific narratives, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring alignment with funder priorities and Institute strategy.
In addition, the role will contribute to horizon scanning, external engagement, and partnership development, enabling the Institute to proactively position itself for future funding opportunities and maximise success in competitive environments.
Key Relationships:
- Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture
- Research Grants Coordination Lead
- Specific Group Leaders and research teams leading strategic bids
- NBIP Research Grants & Contracts team
- NBIP Finance team
- Wider Directorate leadership including Chief Operating Officer, KEC, Policy and Strategic Engagement teams
- External stakeholders including funding bodies, industry partners and collaborators.
Main Activities & Responsibilities:
- Strategic bid development and delivery (50%): Lead or significantly contribute to drafting and editing of scientific case statements, impact sections and strategic narratives, working with specific groups of Group Leaders. Identify, scope and support the development of high-value, complex, and multi-partner funding opportunities that support delivery of JIC science strategy. Work intensively with a focused subset(s) of Group Leaders to develop ambitious, long-term funding proposals. Facilitate bid development activities including concept development workshops, partner engagement and project scoping. Ensure strong alignment between proposals, funder priorities and Institute strategic goals. Provide expert advice to improve the quality, competitiveness and clarity of proposals. Coordinate input from multiple internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and high-quality submissions.
- External Engagement and Partnership Development (20%): Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders including funders, collaborators, industry partners and policy organisations. Support the formation of strategic partnerships and consortia for large-scale bids. Represent the Institute at relevant funder meetings, workshops and engagement events. Facilitate connections between JIC researchers and external partners to support collaborative opportunities. Contribute to positioning the Institute within emerging funding landscapes and partnership models.
- Horizon Scanning (15%): Monitor and interpret developments in funding landscapes, particularly UKRI/BBSRC and related funders in collaboration with Research Coordination Lead. Analyse funder strategies, policies and priorities to identify future opportunities. Provide strategic intelligence to inform institutional decision-making and bid development. Develop insight into the competitive landscape, including partner mapping and benchmarking. Translate intelligence into actionable advice for researchers and senior stakeholders.
- Research Culture and Training (10%): Support the integration of Research Culture principles within strategic bids, including EDI, FAIR data, Trusted Research and Innovation (TRI) and research integrity. Contribute to training and guidance for researchers on strategic bidding, collaboration and funder expectations. Support delivery of workshops and activities aimed at strengthening institutional capability in large-scale funding.
- Performance Monitoring (5%): Support the Research Grants Coordination Lead with performance monitoring by contributing to evaluation of strategic bid outcomes, capturing lessons learned and areas for improvement. Provide feedback and insights to inform institutional strategy and funding priorities. Support continuous improvement of processes relating to strategic bid development.
As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.
Person Profile:
- Education & Qualifications: Degree in biological sciences or related field (Essential), PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience (Essential).
- Specialist Knowledge & Skills: Strong scientific expertise aligned to plant and microbial sciences (Essential), Deep understanding of UKRI/BBSRC and wider research funding landscape (Essential), Excellent writing and editing skills, particularly for scientific and strategic content (Essential), Strong facilitation skills to support workshops, partnerships and bid development (Essential), Ability to interpret funder priorities and shape competitive proposals (Essential).
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and external partners (Essential), Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels (Essential), Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships (Essential), Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement (Essential), High level of self-motivation and ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment (Essential).
- Additional Requirements: Attention to detail (Essential), Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential), Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately (Essential), Ability to represent the Institute professionally and contribute to its reputation (Essential), Comfortable working flexibly and responding to changing priorities (Essential).
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society. Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world.
We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion's programme, a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
Strategic Bids Coordination Lead in Norwich employer: The John Innes Centre
As a Group Leader in Fundamental Biology of Legumes, you will join a vibrant research community at the forefront of plant biology, located within the prestigious Norwich Research Park. Our organisation fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering exceptional opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside access to cutting-edge resources and facilities. With a commitment to impactful research and strong partnerships with industry and academia, we provide a stimulating environment where your contributions can lead to meaningful advancements in sustainable agriculture.
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We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Bids Coordination Lead in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at The John Innes Centre. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at The John Innes Centre. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at The John Innes Centre
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
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✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at The John Innes Centre to drive research projects forward.
