Research Development Officer - Higher Education

Research Development Officer London/Hybrid 3 months contract initially £23.00 ph PAYE Our commitment is to provide equal opportunity regardless of, for example, your gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or beliefs. We also engage with employers to develop programmes and pathways that embrace diverse talent and promote more inclusive employment worldwide through partnerships and other initiatives. We recognise and celebrate the value of difference and how it makes us faster, smarter and more innovative than our competition. My client is a leading global centre for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, renowned for its interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research. It brings together expertise in languages, cultures, and societies with a strong focus on addressing contemporary global challenges. With a commitment to diversity, social justice, and academic excellence, it serves as a hub for critical thinking and innovative scholarship that shapes policy and practice worldwide. They are looking for a Research Development Officer to join them on an initial 3 months contract with the potential to extend. The position is based in London, hybrid working Monday to Friday standard office hours being office based 1-2 days a week with the remainder of time working from home. Role Overview The Research Development Officer will provide pre‑award research support across the institution, working closely with academic staff, Research Development Managers, Finance, and external funders. The post holder will advise on funding opportunities, support high‑quality proposal development, and ensure effective grant activation and administration. Key Responsibilities Advise researchers on funding opportunities and support the development, costing, approval, and submission of research proposals. Provide specialist guidance on funder requirements, eligibility and costing rules. Prepare non‑scientific proposal sections (e.g., justification of resources). Coordinate proposal costing and ensure budgets receive appropriate approval. Liaise with Project Mobilisation and Operations teams to support smooth grant activation and HR processes. Act as first‑line support for Grant Management System queries and liaise with funders where needed. Contribute to improving pre‑award processes, systems, and workflows. Build effective working relationships across Research Development, Operations, Ethics, Post‑Award and wider Professional Services. Support Principal Investigators with local grant financial planning and compliance. Help promote and strengthen a positive and engaged research culture. General Duties Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with institutional policies, governance, and statutory requirements. Contribute to strategic and operational planning within the research support function. Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and health & safety standards. Skills & Experience Required Experience in research funding or research support, within higher education. Strong understanding of research funding processes, costing, and funder terms. Excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational, and analytical skills. Ability to manage competing deadlines, work independently and prioritise effectively. Demonstrated ability to improve processes and work collaboratively across teams. Candidates must be able to show evidence of the above in their CV to be considered. Evidence of written work will be requested prior to your application being submitted to the business. Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you. We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention