Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support research projects by managing contracts and financial processes with precision.
- Company: Join a leading London university with a focus on research excellence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of groundbreaking research and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in research administration and strong numeracy skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a supportive team and a chance to learn and grow.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Costing and Contracts officer to join a leading London university within their research office. This role is central to supporting pre-award financial and contractual processes, providing high-quality research administration, and enabling efficient delivery of research activity across the institution.
Role information
- Contract type: 6 month Fixed Term Contract
- Location: Central London – Hybrid working pattern
Job Responsibilities
- Produce accurate project costings ensuring compliance with funder guidelines and institutional policies
- Draft, review and negotiate research-related contracts including collaboration agreements, CDAs and data/material transfer agreements
- Provide clear, timely information to support audits, committees and internal reviews
- Liaise with funders to verify information and maintain accurate records in funding systems
- Advise researchers on funder schemes, costing models and application requirements
- Deliver training on costing, pricing and research funding processes
- Support an efficient pipeline between pre-award and post-award project setup
- Conduct financial credit checks and due diligence on new research partners
- Ensure proposals address ethical review, R&D approvals, insurance and health & safety requirements
- Provide guidance on electronic submission systems and assist researchers throughout the proposal process
Candidate profile
- Experience in research administration, research support or costing/contracts roles (ideally within higher education or a research-focused environment)
- Knowledge of funding bodies and research funding schemes
- Strong numeracy skills and experience using costing tools or models
- Ability to draft, review and interpret research contracts
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to liaise confidently with researchers, partners and internal teams
- Proficient IT skills, particularly in Word, Excel and research support systems
This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged to avoid missing out.
Costing and Contracts Officer employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Costing and Contracts Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working in research administration. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the university and its research projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Costing and Contracts Officer. Highlight your skills in costing tools and contract negotiation to stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Costing and Contracts Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Costing and Contracts Officer role. Highlight your experience in research administration and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your expertise in costing and contracts.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong numeracy skills and proficiency in IT tools like Word and Excel. We’re looking for someone who can draft and review contracts, so give us examples of when you've done this successfully in the past.
Apply Early!: This vacancy will be actively shortlisted, so don’t wait around! Apply through our website as soon as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Costing and Contracts Officer, you'll need to demonstrate strong numeracy skills. Brush up on your costing tools and models before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles, as well as any specific examples of project costings you've produced.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Funding Bodies
Understanding the various funding bodies and their schemes is crucial for this role. Do some research on the main funders relevant to the university and be prepared to talk about how you would advise researchers on their application requirements and costing models.
✨Practice Contract Drafting
Since drafting and reviewing contracts is a key part of the job, it’s a good idea to review some common research-related contracts beforehand. Think about how you would approach negotiations and be ready to share your thoughts on what makes a contract effective.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. Prepare to give examples of how you've successfully liaised with researchers, partners, and internal teams in the past. Highlight any training you've delivered on costing or funding processes, as this will show your ability to convey complex information clearly.