Research Development Officer – Research Strategy & Services

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Grade: 7

Full Time, Permanent 

Closing date: 3rd April 2024 

Background

The University has an exciting vision to build on the success of REF2021, by continuing to transform its research performance across outputs, income, impact, and policy influence. Central to this ambition is the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD), a new Professional Services department that is being established to provide a transformative and sector-leading approach to research strategy and support.  The RSSD brings together into one connected eco-system professional staff that work within and across the following teams: Research Strategy & Development; Research Support (Grants & Contracts); Research Partnerships, Research Impact & Innovation; Research Policy & Environment; Research Systems & Data; Research Governance; Research Communications; Legal & Regulatory Compliance and Research Finance Accounting. An overview of the RSSD is provided in the organogram below. 

Role Summary

The Research Development Officer (RDO) sits within the RSSD Hub (College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and College of Life and Environmental Sciences) and provides support to researchers in defined Schools/Institutes, particularly in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, across all elements of pre-award research support including proactive research development and partnership building in support of research proposals.

Reporting to the Head of Research Support (EPS & LES), the Research Development Officer supports researchers in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences to develop and secure external research grants and contracts via the provision of specialist practitioner support at every stage of the pre-award and contracting process. Working closely with colleagues from across the research Support team, the Hub and RSSD, the RDO is a key contact point for researchers in a defined School or set of schools in EPS, providing specialist advice on research funder terms and conditions, undertaking costing/pricing, due diligence of external partners, negotiation of agreements related to grants and industry contracts, submission to funder, the setting up of the projects and effective pre-to-post award handover, and undertake reviews of bids.

A strong package of training and development is available.

Main Duties

• Be the identified point of contact for researchers in a defined School/Institute or portfolio of activity on the development and submission of research applications and contracts, working as part of a wider Research Support Team to ensure researchers receive professional support throughout the process;
• Work closely with researchers, their partners and collaborators on all aspects of the research development, preparation and submission of funding proposals to UK, EU, International funding bodies, liaising with external partners/collaborators and internal colleagues across the Division; 
• Provide specialist and authoritative advice on proposal content and drafting to ensure it conforms to the evaluation criteria of the appropriate funding scheme, including: meeting the scheme’s objectives; providing clearly presented project management structures and appropriate governance; well-constructed resources justification; and clear statements on policies as appropriate (such as equality, diversity and inclusion, research integrity etc).  The role will ensure compliance with the eligibility requirements and terms and conditions of external funders, and also ensure compliance with the University’s financial regulations, governance procedures and policies relating to research;
• Working in conjunction with the Research Support Manager and Research Strategy & Development Partner, manage the preparation process for larger/collaborative research bids, working closely with senior academics and members of the University’s Professional Services;
• Cost proposals, ensuring appropriate cost recovery and compliance with the University’s financial regulations, strategic pricing policies, strategy for cost recovery and funder’s terms and conditions. Ensuring the timely despatch of research proposals, to the exact format, submission deadline and all funder requirements, and ensure that applications have been appropriately authorised in line with the University’s institutional approval processes;
• Review, make recommendations and draft clauses in support of the negotiation of contractual and grant funding agreements related to research awards (including research funding agreements, collaboration agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Sponsorship Agreements, Site Agreements) working, as appropriate, with the Research Support Manager, the Head of Research Support, Business Engagement Partners and University of Birmingham Enterprise.
• Advise on risk management of grant and contract activity, including compliance with funders’ terms and conditions and University policies and guidelines.  Undertake due diligence of proposed external research partners/funders/collaborators, and working with Head of Research Support and other colleagues as appropriate, provide guidance on appropriate mitigation.
• Lead the development and delivery of funder and grant writing workshops, internal academic peer review of applications, practice interviews, pitch to peer sessions and the dissemination of research funding opportunities, to support the delivery of research delivery plans within the portfolio area, and more broadly at School and College level with guidance from the Research Strategy and Development Partners and Research Support Managers.
• Working with colleagues to support process and systems improvement across research activities, ensuring the effective adoption of any changes. 
• In the context of the wider research support function at the University, support implementation of institution-wide systems and processes and develop or capture and share best practice in research support.
• Establish excellent working relationships with teams from across the RSSD, the College and Professional Services to ensure a highly effective and integrated service is delivered to academics, their funders and partners and to support effective and timely problem solving; 
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus significant relevant practical experience – where no equivalent qualification is held substantial practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences, and to produce and analyse source material, information and data.
• Knowledge of the UK research funding ecosystem, key research funders and an understanding of their processes.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of providing research support across research grants and/or contracts, ideally in a Higher Education setting
• Experience of successfully leading/coordinating the development of research grants and/or research contracts, including a proven knowledge and skills to successfully enhance the quality of applications through critical review.
• Skills or experience of effectively identifying and assessing risk and proposing suitable mitigating steps 
• Experience of developing/negotiating budgets and/or contracts terms.
• Experience and professional judgement to help to identify and implement improvements in service quality and efficiencies, delivering high quality customer service across own service area and beyond. 
• Experience of successfully engaging, and collaborating, with internal and external stakeholders to build teams, deliver key outcomes or resolve challenges across a wide range of activities.
• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information and present conclusions clearly and concisely to senior audiences, internal and external.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders in order to convey policies or decisions, and to influence decisions.
• Proficient IT skills, including the MS Office suite and corporate systems such as WorkTribe. Confident and able to quickly learn new IT skills and software packages as required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven experience of working successfully as part of a team including engaging with peers and staff, within an academic, public sector or commercial research environment.
• High level of self-motivation and personal accountability with ability to plan and deliver goals to deadlines under pressure and set priorities for a wide range of tasks and duties for the role holder and others.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Role context

Roles at this level will require a broad understanding and practical experience of an administrative or professional field which will be used to plan the running and development of services and/or lead shorter term projects or contribute to larger projects. You will work with information which needs interpretation and analysis; you will use your judgement to identify the best solution to differing problems and issues, offering recommendations for managing more complex situations. You are likely to be responsible for leading complex projects and processes that will include the management and co-ordination of internal and external partners/collaborators. You will need to liaise and/or co-ordinate activities across a number of different sections within the department or possibly with wider department or external bodies as appropriate. 

Core competencies/transferable skills 

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

• Plan the running and development of service(s), overseeing resources and inputting into resource planning as appropriate; 
• Develop, agree and implement standards for delivery for your own area; 
• Plan relevant training and development materials
• Provide professional advice, guidance and support to academic and professional services staff
• Oversee resources and make recommendations about future resource requirements. 

Problem solving and decision making

• Review, develop and propose solutions for problems with (for example) staff, budgets, services and/or systems; 
• Deal effectively with unexpected issues, such as changing priorities; 
• Deal with sensitive people matters/issues; 
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations to support decision–making of others. 

Organisational understanding 

• Understand your own and closely-related working areas and how they contribute to the success of the University. 
• Have an understanding of how the University operates; actively seeks to share this knowledge with others. 
• Developing empathy with the academic endeavour. 

Relationships and communication 

• Influence decision makers and win support for proposals; 
• Develop excellent working relationships within and outside of your own area and potentially with external stakeholders; 
• Co-ordinate activities across a number of areas

Funders’ and University guidelines and systems

• Able to plan and progress a series of work within general guidelines, using initiative and judgement without recourse to senior staff
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the work practices, processes, and procedures relevant to the role, which may include broader sector/commercial awareness.
• Understand of the regulations and codes of practice set for the conduct and output of the role.
• Able to lead and provide research costing /application development and external funders including external funder systems.

Informal enquiries to Ross Slater r.slater.1@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.