Research Grants Administrator

LGC Ltd (www.lgcgroup.com) is an international life sciences company working with customers in the government, academic, pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, food, environment, security and sports sectors. LGC’s Grant Management Group (GMG) manages a number of research funding programmes on behalf of government departments and other large national health bodies, to improve NHS patient health and care. 

We are seeking a motivated, organised individual to become a Research Grant Administrator to join our busy Operations Team.

1. Working with colleagues to organise grant funding schemes, including:

• Supporting the project management of individual funding competitions (to commission new research), including reporting in progress meetings, using an in-house tool to track progress and keeping stakeholders updated
• Acting as a key contact point for external enquiries about funding schemes
• Communicating with stakeholders involved in funding schemes including applicants, independent expert reviewers and funding committee members, and GMG colleagues
• Preparing competition information for website publication
• Working with the Systems team to set up and test each new competition on the research management system (RMS)
• Carrying out simple checks on research proposals received, and that they are not duplicating funded research
• Managing large amounts of data associated with applications received, including populating the RMS, creating reports and completing templates  
• Sourcing and inviting large numbers of independent expert reviewers to undertake peer review of research funding proposals, and ensuring their input is received within deadlines
• Managing applicant responses to reviewer comments
• Producing funding committee meeting papers and related documents
• Supporting virtual and in-person funding committee meetings on the day, for example by running presentation slides, managing conflicts of interest of attendees and recording scores
• Providing practice Zoom sessions for some attendees 
• Preparing and dispatching outcome letters to applicants and managing follow-up queries

2. Support monitoring and management of awards made including:

• Populating contract templates for new awards and overseeing the electronic signing process
• ​​​​​​Collecting progress reports from award holders

3. Maintain electronic records with accurate information on competitions, applications and awards.

4. Support annual award data collection exercises, that enable our funders to understand and demonstrate the impact of the research they have funded

5. Operate as a flexible resource within the Operations team, e.g. providing support to projects and performing data analysis

6. Occasionally travel to attend face-to-face committee meetings.

Required Criteria

• Bachelor's degree or a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the sector
• Experience of working in an administrative, process driven or project delivery environment is essential
• Knowledge and/or experience of grant administration and/or working in health or research-related environments would be beneficial
• Administration experience and good computing skills i.e. competent using Microsoft Office and/or Google packages (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Calendar etc.)
• Excellent attention to detail and meticulous record keeping when managing large amounts of information
• Able to gather information systematically from multiple sources
• Able to manage time effectively including managing competing demands, prioritising tasks, adapting flexibly to changes and meeting all deadlines.  Research Grant Administrators are often involved in at least 2-3 competitions running at any time, with overlapping and potentially conflicting timescales
• Able to act on initiative, identify opportunities and be proactive in putting forward ideas and solutions
• A determination to get things done, make things happen and constantly looking for better ways of doing things
• A willingness and enthusiasm to learn new systems and processes 
• Excellent team working, i.e. able to work confidently and effectively in a group  
• Excellent verbal communication, i.e. able to express ideas clearly and confidently in speech, and vary delivery to match the specific audiences
• Excellent written communication, i.e. able to express yourself and information clearly and concisely in writing
• An interest in advancing health care and/or a health science background

Salary & Benefits
£31,100 PA
Bonus - subject to company performance
25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
Enhanced contributory pension scheme
Life Insurance
Benenden Healthcare
Season Ticket Loan

NB: This is an office based, hybrid role, with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, which might increase, subject to team requirements.

Applications
If you are interested in working with us and feel you have the appropriate background and skills, please apply with your CV, with the cover letter attached in the same document, explaining what you feel you could bring to the company, outlining your suitability for the role.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership