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- Tasks: Lead grant submissions and engage with scientists to boost bid success.
- Company: Join the NBIP Partnership, supporting top research institutes in a collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of research funding and help scientists achieve their goals.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required; experience in grant administration is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 45450 - 50500 £ per year.
Increasing the chance of success of bids through proactive engagement with the scientists, providing information on grant opportunities and calls for proposals and targeting applications to appropriate sponsors.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- The post holder will lead on the management of all grant submissions for a specific ‘customer base’ on behalf of John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory and The Quadram Institute Bioscience. This will require compliance with the rules of the external funding organisation and policies and procedures of the submitting institute.
- Provide quality assistance and expert advice on the application.
- Develop informed project budgets matching the science project work with the resource needs.
- Advise on style, format, general content, writing justifications and management sections.
- Maintain keen attention to detail and proofread to polish the final submission and ensure submission deadlines are met.
- Assess the risks to the Institutes in accepting certain contractual terms and propose mitigations to proceed.
- Ensure the Institutes are accepting research projects on a sustainable basis with appropriate contribution towards the fEC costs.
- Provide professional proactive post award project management of a large and varied portfolio of awarded projects.
- Work with scientists throughout the life cycle of the grant, proactively addressing issues and managing best outcomes.
- Act as a facilitator for sponsor interaction and advise on problems as they arise.
- Devise varied solutions to complex problems requiring consideration of diverse information.
- Prepare and submit reports to sponsors to best reflect science outputs and maximise income recovery.
- Ensure report submission deadlines are met.
- Liaise with HR and Finance on contractual matters using best practice to facilitate efficient contractual management.
- Assist and advise scientific and Institute staff on contractual matters such as Collaboration Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements.
- Draft and negotiate such agreements.
- As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree or equivalent relevant professional experience (Essential).
- PhD or other postgraduate qualification (Desirable).
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources (Essential).
- Ability to work independently within a broad framework with minimal supervision (Essential).
- Good prioritisation and multi-tasking skills (Essential).
- Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of grants (Essential).
- Ability to deliver to tight deadlines under pressure (Essential).
- Highly numerate with experience of developing budgets for research contracts (Essential).
- Proficient with standard office PC applications (Essential).
- Proven track record of grant administration in a Research Office at a Research Institute or a Higher Education Institution (Essential).
- Recent track record of developing successful grant applications with a variety of sponsors including research councils, EU and UK Government agencies (Essential).
- Experience of drafting and negotiating research contracts (Desirable).
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Ability to learn quickly and handle complex ideas (Essential).
- Clear logical approach to problem solving (Essential).
- Ability to produce clear concise document drafts (Essential).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (Essential).
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well in a team and build good working relationships (Essential).
- Ability to take initiative and proactively promote ideas and concepts (Essential).
Additional Requirements
- Attention to detail (Essential).
- Ability to undertake occasional travel (Essential).
- Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential).
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required (Essential).
- Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate (Essential).
Who We Are
NBIP Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists located on the Norwich Research Park. The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities and are Equal Opportunity Employers. The NBIP Partnership Research Grants and Contracts Office provides expert advice, guidance and management to the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The office supports scientists in identifying and winning grants, negotiating and managing all research related contracts, ensuring freedom to operate, protection of interests, intellectual property and provision of appropriate indemnity.
The NBIP has an exciting opportunity for a Research Grants Manager to join their busy Research Grants and Contracts department. The role focuses on proactive engagement with scientists, increasing the chance of bid success, and providing information on grant calls and opportunities, targeting applications to sponsors. The post holder will add value to submissions through providing quality assistance and expert advice on the application; developing informed project budgets; advising on style, format, general content, writing justifications and management sections; and ensuring submission deadlines are met. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelors degree or equivalent, with significant experience in a similar role within a Research Institute or Higher Education Institution. They will be able to work independently, manage diverse workloads and meet deadlines, with strong organizational, communication and negotiating skills.
Salary on appointment will be within the range £45,450 to £50,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis. For more information and how to apply, please visit the website or contact the Human Resources team. The NBIP Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. The closing date for applications is 25 November 2025.
Research Grants Manager employer: The Norwich BioScience Institutes
Contact Detail:
The Norwich BioScience Institutes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Grants Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to scientists and colleagues in your field. Attend conferences or webinars where you can meet potential sponsors and collaborators. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Research organisations that align with your interests and reach out directly. Show them how you can add value to their team, especially in grant management.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to grant management. We should also be ready to discuss specific projects we've worked on and how we’ve tackled challenges in the past. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing familiar names when we’re reviewing candidates. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Grants Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the Research Grants Manager role. We want to see how you can add value to our team!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on sharing your past successes in grant administration. We love seeing a proven track record, so include examples of successful bids and how you managed them from start to finish.
Attention to Detail is Key: Proofread your application thoroughly! We’re looking for someone who can maintain keen attention to detail, so make sure your submission is polished and free of errors before hitting send.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Norwich BioScience Institutes
✨Know Your Grants Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the types of grants relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with the specific funding bodies mentioned in the job description and understand their requirements. This will show your proactive engagement and genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing diverse portfolios of grants. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Since attention to detail is crucial for this role, bring along a polished document or two that you've worked on in the past. Discuss how you ensured accuracy and compliance in your previous submissions. This will illustrate your capability to maintain high standards in grant applications.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of complex situations you’ve faced in grant management and how you devised solutions. Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly, as this will reflect your logical approach and ability to handle challenges.