Ref Number
B09-01395
Professional Expertise
Research and Research Support
Department
Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) (B09)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£43,981-£52,586
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
31-Aug-2026
UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women to university education. Today UCL has over 50,000 students and 15,000 staff, is one of the world’s top 10 universities and is recognised as one of the most successful research institutions in the world, consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2024) and is 2nd in the UK for research power and 1st in London (REF 2021).
Playing a key role in supporting the UCL research portfolio of 4,500 active research awards and contracts with an annual research income of £500M, Research and Innovation Services (RIS) supports and advances UCL’s position as a world beating research led University. Award Services, one of four teams within RIS, provides a range specialist advice to UCL's externally funded research and innovation portfolio through the departments of: Research Support & Development (Pre-award); European Research and Innovation Office; Finance and Compliance (Post-Award). The service is delivered in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues across UCL, collaborating organisations, and funders.
We are seeking a Research Support Officer to join our Award Services team. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the success and financial performance of UCL’s research activity. You will work closely with academic and professional services colleagues to support the timely review, costing, pricing and submission of research and innovation proposals, helping to ensure applications are accurate, compliant and positioned for success.
You will provide practical and informed advice on the costing and pricing of research activity, including funder terms and conditions, overhead recovery, TRAC and FEC methodology, and the treatment of direct and indirect costs. Working across a portfolio of applications, you will help departments navigate both standard and more complex funding calls, ensuring proposals are reviewed and approved in line with UCL processes, service standards and funder requirements.
The role also involves reviewing risk assessments and approvals, supporting the institutional authorisation process, and helping to ensure that reputational, financial and compliance risks are appropriately considered. You will liaise with funders, collaborators and internal colleagues where needed, and work across systems including Worktribe and funder portals to maintain accurate data and support effective proposal development and award set-up.
This is a varied role in a busy and collaborative environment, well suited to someone who enjoys working at pace, solving problems and providing a high-quality service.
You will be educated to degree level or bring equivalent relevant experience gained in the workplace. You will have a strong understanding of research and innovation funding issues, along with experience of managing complex pieces of work and delivering to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
You will be confident analysing and interpreting detailed written documentation and using your judgement to identify issues, assess risk and support sound decision-making. You will also be comfortable explaining complex financial or procedural information clearly to non-specialists, adapting your approach for different audiences and building effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
We are looking for someone with a clear and professional communication style, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. You will be organised, responsive and able to prioritise effectively, while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement.
Experience of supporting research and/or innovation projects in a higher education environment would be desirable, as would experience of research or innovation management systems and costing software. Above all, you will bring a proactive and supportive approach, with the flexibility to work in a changing environment and contribute positively as part of a collaborative team.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/
