University of Stirling

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Research Development Officer
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Post Details

*2 positions available, 1 full time and 1 part time (40%fte)*

Full time/Part time (40% FTE)
Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 24 March 2024

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, the post may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 3543.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Reporting to the Research Development Manager (Funding and Development) and working with a range of research programmes and academic Faculties, the role holder will make a substantial contribution to the ongoing development and growth of the University’s research activity and performance, particularly research grant and contract income (one of the University’s key strategic priorities) through providing a high level of pro-active support for academic colleagues with the development of successful funding proposals.

Description of Duties

To support high quality and high value external funding applications working with researchers across the University with a focus on strategic priorities
To build on, develop and facilitate relationships with major funding bodies and partner organisations nationally and internationally, and optimise inter and intra-Faculty approaches to winning funds and responding to opportunities
To work collaboratively with academic colleagues to support the achievement of the University’s strategic aims relating to research and innovation activities
Develop and maintain excellent relationships with research funding organisations, and facilitating the active engagement of the University’s research community with those funders and other relevant research bodies
Support and contribute to effective business processes, procedures and service design within the team’s operation and ensure optimum efficiency, and a consistent focus on strategic aims of the University
Provide high level of pro-active support and engagement with academic colleagues towards a shared goal of developing successful funding proposals, including a non-scientific review and oversight of budget/costing support
Disseminate and maintain extensive expert knowledge of funding opportunities, funders’ policy priorities and agendas, as well as funders 
Contribute to the development and support of continued improvement and implementation of policy and best practice in research funding. This involves regular review and development of current practice, as well as devising innovative approaches to enhance the competitiveness of the University’s funding applications and working across the Research & Innovation landscape within the University
Deliver a programme of facilitated events that will encourage and direct activities towards large scale, potentially international funding opportunities
Design and implement resources, guidance, briefing sessions and on-line tools for use by academic and service colleagues on the external research landscape and developing successful funding applications
Provide development support, both through briefing sessions and on a one-to-one basis, in person, by telephone and by email
Undertake appropriate personal and professional development to provide current best practise in professional research support
Work proactively to build and maintain internal and external networks as relevant to all aspects of the role and work with an appropriately external focus to support an ongoing awareness of good practice and emerging issues within the sector
Undertake any other duties as may be required, in line with the grade and nature of the role, as directed by the Head of Research Development, or Research Development Manager (Funding and Development)

Essential Criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent or employment experience across a range of roles with increasing levels of responsibility
Significant experience of working successfully in the area of research management or practical experience in a directly relevant role either within the HE or funder sector
Experience of working successfully within complex regulations / frameworks, both within the UK and internationally
Knowledge of the current research funding landscape and of the wider context relevant to Higher Education, along with the capability to understand the impact on the ongoing operation and development of the role’s area of responsibility
Competence and experience to provide professional, expert research support advice and services to staff to drive successful bids and horizon scanning to identify new research and relevant research opportunities
Ability to initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems. Anticipates possible implementation difficulties and identifies practical ways of overcoming or preventing them
Ability to identify future opportunities and develop longer term plans Proven ability to formulate clear policy, advice and guidance relevant to research support
Proven ability to summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines
Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and proposals to deadlines within complex and diverse workload
Ability to consider the wider impact of decisions and assesses likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data and taking into account multiple factors. Distinguishes between the need to make a decision, when to defer and when not to take a decision
Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels both orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations
Ability to work independently and with initiative but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
Ability to proactively build productive and enduring relationships between internal and/or external bodies to benefit the University
Good analytical, evaluation and problem solving skills. Can demonstrate the ability to use data gathering and recognises and accurately interprets patterns and trends and contribute to reports identifying key issues and findings
A strong commitment to operational excellence, customer care and the researcher experience IT skills, including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite and operational knowledge of the research funding systems

Desirable Criteria

Relevant post graduate degree 
Professional training, ideally a formal qualification delivered by a professional body, such as ARMA 
Participation within external HE research funding networks, groups and bodies

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Business Engagement works in partnership with Faculties, other Professional Services, and a wide range of external stakeholders to support and enhance the University’s research and innovation performance.

The University is committed to making a difference through our research, generating new ideas, insights and approached that address the complex challenges and issues that are faced by human society. Supporting and enabling achievement of the strategic objectives set by the University for delivering research with impact is our core mission.

The Directorate provides a full range of services in research and innovation strategy and policy; research funding and development; research governance and integrity; researcher development for staff and postgraduate researchers; contract and legal support; systems, data and analysis; research evaluation; innovation, commercialisation and knowledge exchange; enterprise, company creation and growth; and engagement with businesses and other research and innovation partner organisations. Responsibility for delivering the range of transformational projects within the University’s City Region and Growth Deal programme is embedded within the Directorate. We work closely with the Deputy Principal for Research, the Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies, the Dean for Research Engagement and Performance, and academic leaders throughout the organisation.

The University of Stirling is currently implementing an agile working framework, a whole University approach, that is focused on a set of principles that facilitate a high-performance culture. Leaders and teams are empowered to co-create effective working practices that suit the business need and align to the agreed principles.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number: SERV01869
Contract Type: Open Ended
Posting End Date: 24-Mar-2024
Location:: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Research, Innovation and Business Engagement

Post Details