Research Funding Specialist

Research Funding Specialist

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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The University of Edinburgh

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support and facilitate research funding applications and awards for university projects.
  • Company: Join the University of Edinburgh's dynamic and supportive research team.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and hybrid working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in research while collaborating with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Strong attention to detail and knowledge of the UK research environment.
  • Other info: Be part of a vibrant international community committed to equality and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Overview

Grade UE06 £34,610 – £39,906 per annum

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office

Full time: 35 hours per week

Open Ended (permanent)

The Edinburgh Research Office, a team that is at the heart of university research support at the University of Edinburgh, is looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Research Funding Specialist. The postholder will facilitate, support and contribute to the submission and award of mainly externally funded research activity, in or led by a portfolio of schools or units. The Research Funding Specialist provides expert guidance on funder requirements, project budgets and administrative structures.

The Opportunity

The Edinburgh Research Office operates within the context of an ambitious and growing research agenda at the University of Edinburgh. As a Research Funding Specialist, you will proactively support budget preparation, review and submit applications as well as accept and set-up awards for research activity on behalf of the University. You will collaborate with staff across both the University of Edinburgh and a variety of external collaborators, including senior academics, researchers and research support professionals. You will provide expert guidance on areas such as funder requirements, legal contracting, eligibility and more for those proposals in or led by your portfolio of schools or units. Your customers will mainly be the researchers and research support offices in the school or units within your portfolio.

You will be given opportunities to work agilely across a number of teams to support the delivery of business-critical objectives, for example: large/key projects; major deadlines; and other time-sensitive initiatives. Whilst participating in one of these initiatives you will be under matrix management.

Your skills and attributes for success

  • Process-driven, great attention to detail and problem-solving ability
  • Team player with good interpersonal skills, a collegial and customer-oriented approach to the delivery of services
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the UK research environment
  • Demonstrable ability to analyse and summarise complex issues in research funding

To view the full job description, please refer to the official job posting.

As a valued member of our team you can expect

  • A competitive salary
  • An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work
  • To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
  • Comprehensive staff benefits, such as generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives
  • The University offers hybrid working; in Edinburgh Research Office we expect colleagues to be on campus for a minimum of team anchor days, team meetings, all-ERO meetings and other in-person meetings and events required in your role

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 18 September 2025. The closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser\’s local time zone.

Edinburgh Research Office

Working in Edinburgh Research Office you will be part of a professional, supportive, and friendly team; at the heart of University research support, working in collaboration with academics and research support professionals across the institution. The breadth of our remit means you will get an overview of research support activity across the university while you build your skills in your specialism. Gaining new knowledge and skills to help you develop in this role and progress in your career is a priority. We offer colleagues a stimulating working environment based on our values of integrity, expertise, community, and collaboration. Our work is fast-paced and intense; you will thrive here if you are motivated, customer-oriented, and passionate about providing an excellent service to enable our researchers to do amazing work.

The Research Funding Team is responsible for maximising the quality and success of our research applications and the value of our funding. Our work is predominantly deadline driven, and fast paced. Working in the Research Funding Team, you can expect to support the delivery of the highest quality research applications and secure funding. Working in the Research Funding Team will give you direct access to the University of Edinburgh research and professional service communities, as well as external stakeholders. Our diverse team of over thirty is dedicated and ultimately critical to achieving the University\’s research ambitions.

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Research Funding Specialist employer: The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Research Funding Specialist role, where you will be part of a vibrant international community dedicated to advancing research excellence. With a strong commitment to employee growth, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that champions equality, diversity, and inclusion, this position provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful research while developing your skills in a collaborative setting. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working and the chance to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders across the university.
The University of Edinburgh

Contact Detail:

The University of Edinburgh Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Funding Specialist

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Edinburgh, especially in the Research Funding Team. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in UK research funding. Show us you know your stuff and can bring valuable insights to the table. We love candidates who are proactive and informed!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your problem-solving skills! Think of examples where you've tackled complex issues in research funding or project management. We want to see how you handle challenges and contribute to our team.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant community at the Edinburgh Research Office.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Funding Specialist

Budget Preparation
Research Funding Knowledge
Interpersonal Skills
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving Ability
Analytical Skills
Project Management
Collaboration
Customer-Oriented Approach
Knowledge of UK Research Environment
Legal Contracting
Eligibility Assessment
Time Management
Agile Working

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Funding Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in research funding and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!

Showcase Your Attention to Detail: As a process-driven role, it's crucial to demonstrate your attention to detail. Use examples from your past work where you've successfully managed complex applications or budgets. This will show us you're the right fit for the fast-paced environment at the Edinburgh Research Office.

Be Personable and Collaborative: We value a collegial approach, so let your personality shine through! Share experiences where you've worked effectively in teams or collaborated with others. This will help us see how you can fit into our supportive and friendly team culture.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our team there.

How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Edinburgh

✨Know Your Research Funding Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the UK research environment and funding bodies relevant to the University of Edinburgh. Be prepared to discuss recent trends, key funders, and how they impact research proposals. This shows your enthusiasm and understanding of the role.

✨Showcase Your Attention to Detail

As a Research Funding Specialist, attention to detail is crucial. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed complex budgets or applications in the past. Highlight any specific instances where your meticulousness led to successful funding outcomes.

✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills

This role requires working closely with various teams and stakeholders. Prepare to share experiences where you collaborated effectively with others, especially in high-pressure situations. Emphasise your customer-oriented approach and how it benefited the team.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in research funding and how you overcame them. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

Research Funding Specialist
The University of Edinburgh
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