Research Support Officer

University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

Benefits include a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits at https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Academic research is at the heart of the University’s core activities. We are in the top 10% of UK universities for research, with globally recognised strengths. Research outputs and outcomes of the highest quality and significance are the bedrock of our academic reputation. To achieve this, we strive to advance our distinctive and high‑quality research capabilities to ensure we are well positioned to exploit emerging and future research opportunities.

Research support in the Science Faculty is provided by two hub teams who work with researchers across three schools. You will support and assist with a variety of research support activities, including costings and applications, responding to queries, collaborating closely with other Professional Service teams, and maintaining data. You will also contribute to University initiatives to share best practices and foster continual improvement. We are looking for someone proactive and flexible; pragmatic and solutions‑focused; with excellent attention to detail; and strong customer service skills.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Application development support, including routine costings; providing advice on funder guidance and eligibility; fielding queries & troubleshooting; advising on the application process; transferring data to funder submission systems and platforms (TFS, EU portal, etc.).
• Manage and maintain databases and pipelines that contribute to key university processes and monitor pre‑award research grant activity, including applications, Fellowships, and equipment.
• Act as the first point of contact for funding‑related queries, helping to identify and maximise response to funding opportunities, including working directly with individual academics to identify appropriate funding schemes, as well as assisting with the organisation and support of research‑related events.
• Support grant applications and quality review, including organising Faculty Sift/Peer Review Panels, one‑off individual Faculty peer reviews and mock interview panels, setting up panels with various expertise, collating a database with mock interview questions, supporting the panels, and collating feedback for applicants.
• Contribute to the smooth handover and set up of successful grants, working with colleagues in the Pricing and Contracts Teams from Research, Partnerships and Innovation, and Faculty Finance as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other members of the Research Support Hub to systematically organise and update data and materials on the Hub’s Shared Drive, while aligning with GDPR requirements for data protection and the University’s Retention Policy.
• Maintain close links with colleagues in Research, Partnerships and Innovation, and other Professional Services staff to ensure processes are aligned with University requirements, e.g. ethics, open access, data management, and grant transfers.
• Produce and distribute support materials, including developing and maintaining a research bid library by working with colleagues in the Research Hub and the Faculty of Science Research Growth Teams.
• Develop and maintain the Faculty Research Intranet Portal.
• Run routine reports to enable, for example, monitoring grant application rates as well as to assist with queries regarding the data included in systems such as Academic Metrics.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your experience does not match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please reference the application criteria in your application statement.

Criteria

• Educated to A‑level standard (or equivalent qualifications/work experience).
• Excellent standard of numeracy, including practical experience working with finance and/or budgets, and accurate data entry and data reporting using various systems.
• Ability to exercise judgement within a framework of guidance and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex information to a range of audiences.
• Experience of working effectively as a team and independently, and the ability to form positive working relationships with colleagues at different levels of the organisation.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and work accurately to tight deadlines and manage a demanding workload.
• Excellent IT skills and good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google applications.
• Ability to learn quickly, assimilate new information, and apply it to different situations.
• Proactive approach and the ability to adapt to changing work priorities.
• Previous experience working in a research support environment within the higher education sector.

Further Information

Grade: 5

Salary: £27,319-£27,319 per annum with potential to progress to £33,951 through sustained exceptional contribution.

Work arrangement: Full‑time

Line manager: Faculty Research Hub Manager

Direct reports: None

Website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/science/about

For informal enquiries about this job, contact Nick Taylor Buck, Faculty of Science Research Manager, at n.taylor-buck@sheffield.ac.uk.

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 27 March 2026. This will consist of an interview and a test. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 16 March 2026. If you need any support, equipment, or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact Angela Simonite at a.j.simonite@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days of annual leave, including bank holidays and closure days (pro rata), with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out, and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support, and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s, and Parents’ networks).
• Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development, access to learning and mentoring schemes, integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies:
  • Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
  • Support for those going through the menopause.
  • Paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
  • And more.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.