King's College London

About us

Research is core to King’s, what we do, what we care about and how we educate. Our enquiry-driven research delivers transformative insights with the power to advance and accelerate global progress. We work across disciplines and collaborate with partners so that our research changes practice and influences understanding at home and abroad. 

The Pre-Award (Strand) team is a part of the Research Grants & Contracts Division which sits within the Research Management & Innovation Directorate and is a dedicated support function for every aspect of research funding.

The Directorate provides comprehensive research management and administration. It comprises central functions in the following areas: research development, research policy, research students and graduate school support, research ethics and integrity, research information systems, award management, contract negotiation, enterprise support, knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer partnerships, consultancy services, intellectual property management, clinical trials management, audit, and compliance. 

About the role

A unique opportunity to be an integral part of the Pre-Award (Strand) Team has arisen at King’s College London.

Pre-Award is a team within the Research Grants & Contracts Division which is part of the wider Research Management and Innovation Directorate providing support to all faculties at King’s.

We are looking for an individual with proven skills to be part of a team of skilled Research Support staff providing an efficient and effective service for all members of King’s staff who are engaged in research. We are looking for expertise in 5 key areas: 

• provide efficient and effective pre-award service for members of King’s College London staff who are engaged in research.
• have delegated authority and responsibility within certain limitations to prepare and submit official costs on behalf of the College.
• approve research applications.
• accept grants awarded.
• negotiate contractual conditions and contribute towards the formulation of policy on research matter and develop (or continue to develop) their own expertise in research funding.

The Strand based Campus team is mainly supporting the faculties of Arts & Humanities, Business, Law, Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences and Social Science & Public Policy.

This role will have primary responsibility for supporting Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences working closely with their current Research Funding Associate and support the other faculties falling under the remit of the Strand Campus.

The postholder will work pro-actively and independently within the context of existing King’s policy and strategy and will be expected to contribute to the development of these over time.

The post-holder will also have responsibility to negotiate agreements on behalf of King’s and become independently expert at drafting research contracts and agreements over time. This role will be subject to developments and adaptations according to institutional needs. Resilience and capacity to adapt in constant changing environment is an essential part of the role.

King’s has a hybrid working policy and the post will primarily be based at the Strand Campus, however flexibility is required to be at any Campus where needed. There will be an expectation to also support the rest of the Pre-Award team when necessary (such as during busy periods and due to sickness, annual leave) - with research costing/application/contract support - as needed.

Applicants also require excellent organisational, communication, negotiation and literacy skills, proven decision-making ability and be able to work well under pressure, both individually and as part of a team.

This is a full-time time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite  contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Working knowledge of the University research funding environment, including experience and familiarity with key funders’ terms and conditions.

2. Ability to analyse and present information with a focus on the specific requirements of funding schemes and College policy.

3. Able to produce highly accurate financial budgets in line with funder guidelines.

4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

5. Demonstrably high levels of accuracy and attention to detail with good analytical and practical problem-solving skills 

6. Ability to manage a large and diverse portfolio of funding applications and related contracts, work well under pressure and prioritise work in the face of constantly shifting priorities and tight deadlines. 

7. Data entry and data compliance in external systems and using external software. 

8. Able to advise and assist academic colleagues with the application process.

Desirable criteria

1.   Degree or equivalent professional qualification or equivalent experience.

2.   Direct experience handling the pre-award aspects of research funding mechanisms in a university.

3.   Knowledge of full economic costing methodology, and practical, sound numeracy skills.

4.   Experience of negotiating and drafting research related contracts and collaboration agreements, including negotiation of intellectual property.  

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held on 24th February 2025

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.