Research Support Manager

Job id: 067950. Salary: £41,386 to £48,414 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 26 May 2023. Closing date: 23 June 2023.

Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sci. Department: Chemistry.

Contact details:Kelly Lawless. [email protected]

Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

Job description

The Department of Chemistry is looking for an experienced Research Support Manager who will be responsible for the operational management of research and postgraduate research (PGR) across the Department.  

Your experience will enable you to create, deliver and continuously improve the department’s research and PGR functions, support initiatives that serve to foster a nurturing and productive research culture and cultivate a high level of customer support in your team that comprises you and the PGR Officer.

There will also be opportunities to represent the department in wider university activities and committees. This involves working closely with the Faculty research and PGR teams who provide training and the operational infrastructure to work within. 

You will work closely with the wider departmental professional services team and the department’s Deputy Head of Department for Research.  

This is currently a hybrid role and role holder would spend part of their working week on campus and part of the week working remotely. 

Information on the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences can be found at the following links:  

www.kcl.ac.uk/chemistry 

www.kcl.ac.uk/nmes 

Working at Kings 

Kings offers a range of benefits ​and is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance. This includes Professional Services roles operating on a hybrid working basis.  Further information can be found at: kcl.ac.uk/work at kings

This a full-time, permanent position.

For internal candidates this may be offered on a secondment basis.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and maintain oversight of all research and PGR activity in the Department.
• Ensure that research and PGR activities are compliant with internal and funder policies, working closely with central and Faculty teams.
• Monitor, report, and analyse grant financial and PhD studentship information.
• Advise academics on grant and studentship finances and prepare forecasts for them.
• Support academics and PS colleagues with the completion of quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc grant and studentship reports as required by the College and funding bodies.
• Proactively support the Pre and Post-Award activity of large/complex grants.
• Develop and maintain a high level of knowledge on research funder policies, and university process and policy surrounding PGR and research grant administration.
• Work closely with the PGR Officer and the Faculty PGR Team to support PGR administration strategy and decision making to support PGR business needs.
• Provide support to research-related committees or meetings as required.
• Develop a good understanding of the university’s research and PGR information and finance systems (Worktribe, PURE, Business World, SITs), and assist academic and professional services colleagues.
• Produce PGR and research management information reports and perform analysis.
• Develop a good understanding of Open Access publication policy and liaise with the Library as required.
• Support the development of a robust PGR and research culture across NMES.
• Support the research related activities of the Enterprise & Engagement function, including impact & engagement.
• Add content to and maintain data on the Department’s information platforms – intranet, internet, SharePoint, etc.
• Manage and support the Department’s PGR Officer.
• Contribute to and promote ideas that can help improve PGR and research management support provision and ways of working.
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks and participating in the Research Management Network and professional societies.
• Be a proactive member of both the Department and functional teams.
• Work closely with colleagues from across the Faculty and wider organisation in the timely and efficient delivery of projects and activities.
• Deputise for the Department Manager as required.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the Deputy Head of Department for Research, Department Manager or Faculty Research Manager.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.       Experience of supporting research activity within the Higher Education sector and a strong understanding of the research funding landscape 

2.       Excellent IT skills, including Office, Windows, databases etc. 

3.       Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with staff at all levels, within and outside the organisation. 

4.       Highly numerate with proven financial management and analytical skills 

5.       Ability to balance competing, shifting priorities under pressure of deadlines and workload. 

6.       Experience of dealing with budgetary and financial processes, ideally relating to research funding 

7.       Experience of using and manipulating electronic resources 

8.       Experience of producing detailed reports using complex data from a wide range of sources 

9.       Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

10.     Accuracy/ability to pay attention to detail. 

Desirable criteria

1.       Educated to first degree level or equivalent. 

2.       Experience of supporting PGR activity in a HEI 

3.       Experience of line management 

Applicants should complete the application form and submit a statement evidencing with examples how they meet the requirements for the job and clearly indicate if they are applying for the secondment or permanent position.