Main Purpose of the Job

Increasing the chance of success of bids through proactive engagement with the scientists, providing information on grant opportunities and calls for proposals and targeting applications to appropriate sponsors.

The post holder will add value to submissions through providing quality assistance and expert advice on the application; developing informed project budgets matching the science project work with the resource needs; advising on style, format, general content, writing justifications and management sections, have a keen attention to detail and proof reading to 'polish' the final submission and ensuring submission deadlines are met.

Key Relationships

This post will lead on the support of a specific customer base of research leaders, alongside the other Research Grant Managers in the team.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Lead on the management of all grant submissions for a specific ‘customer base’ on behalf of John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory and The Quadram Institute Bioscience.

This will require compliance with the rules of the external funding organisation and policies and procedures of the submitting institute.

The post will add value to submissions through:
• Providing quality assistance and expert advice on the application
• Developing informed project budgets matching the science project work with the resource need
• Advising on style, format, general content, writing justifications and management sections
• Having a keen attention to detail and proof reading to 'polish' the final submission and ensuring submission deadlines are met.

The post will ensure that the Institutes are accepting research projects on a sustainable basis with appropriate contribution towards the fEC costs. The post holder will assess the risks to the Institutes in accepting certain contractual terms (liability indemnity, profile of payments, matching funds), and where issues or conflicts arise suggesting ways to mitigate the risk to an acceptable level before proceeding. Ensuring ‘freedom to operate’.

60

Professional proactive post award project management of large and varied portfolio of awarded projects.

The post holder will:
• Work with the scientists throughout the life cycle of the grant, being proactive addressing issues and managing best outcomes.
• Acting as a facilitator for sponsor interaction and advising on problems as they arise.
• Able to devise varied solutions to complex problems that require consideration of diverse, conflicting or specialist information.
• Provide advice and assist with the preparation and submission of reports to sponsors to provide the best account of science outputs and maximise income recovery.
• Ensuring report submission deadlines are met.
• Liaison with HR and Finance on contractual matters using best practice to facilitate efficient contractual management.

20

Assisting and advising scientific and Institute staff on contractual matters such as Collaboration Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements.

This will include drafting and negotiating such agreements.

15

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Bachelors degree or equivalent in a science discipline

Essential

PhD or other post graduate qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to assimilate information from a wide variety of sources

Essential

Able to work independently within a broad framework and with minimal supervision

Essential

Good prioritisation and multi-tasking skills

Essential

Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of grants

Essential

Ability to deliver to tight deadlines under pressure

Essential

Highly numerate with experience of developing budgets for research contracts

Essential

Proficient with standard office PC applications

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Proven track record of grant administration in a Research Office at a Research Institute or a Higher Education Institution

Essential

Recent track record of developing successful grant applications with a variety of sponsors including research councils, EU and UK Government agencies

Essential

Experience of drafting and negotiating research contracts

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Ability to learn quickly and handle complex ideas

Essential

Clear logical approach to problem solving

Essential

Ability to produce clear concise document drafts

Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Essential

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work well in a team and build good working relationships with colleagues

Essential

Ability to take initiative and proactively promote ideas and concepts

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Research Grants and Contracts

Group Details

The NBI Partnership Research Grants and Contracts Office is highly respected, dynamic, professional, effective and results driven. It provides expert advice, guidance and management to the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, The Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The office supports scientists in identifying and winning grants from a wide variety of external funding sources including UKRI, the European Union (EU), and industry. In addition, the office negotiates and manages all research related contracts, ensuring freedom to operate, protection of interests, intellectual property and provision of appropriate indemnity.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Grants Manager

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Research Grants Manager to join their busy Research Grants and Contracts department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The NBI Partnership Research Grants and Contracts Office is highly respected, dynamic, professional, effective and results driven. It provides expert advice, guidance and management to the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, The Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory. The office supports scientists in identifying and winning grants from a wide variety of external funding sources including UKRI, the European Union (EU), and industry. In addition, the office negotiates and manages all research related contracts, ensuring freedom to operate, protection of interests, intellectual property and provision of appropriate indemnity.

The role:

The Research Grants Manager will, through proactive engagement with the scientists, increase the chance of success of bids for research funding. Key to the role will be providing information on grant calls and opportunities and targeting applications to appropriate sponsors. Working in support of the researchers and driven by business needs, they provide a professional, effective, timely and responsive service.

The post holder will add value to submissions through providing quality assistance and expert advice on the application; developing informed project budgets matching the science project work with the resource needs; advising on style, format, general content, writing justifications and management sections, will have a keen attention to detail and proof read to 'polish' the final submission and ensure submission deadlines are met.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelors degree or equivalent in a science discipline with significant experience in a similar role within a Research Institute or Higher Education Institution. 

They will be able to work independently within a broad framework, manage diverse workloads and successfully deliver to deadlines. We are looking for someone with excellent organisational, communication and negotiating skills, who is committed, and results driven. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £43,550 to £47,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 7 May 2024.