Senior Research Operations Coordinator

Founded in 1902, UCL Institute of Education has been shaping policy and helping government, organisations and individuals navigate a changing society for the last 120 years. We embrace collaboration and excellence to create a future that is inclusive and just and have been ranked number one for education every year since 2014 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

The IOE requires senior, experienced level support for its research pre-award applications, research contracts and grant management. Working closely with the Head of IOE Research Operations and the Deputy Head of IOE Research Operations the post holder will develop and implement strategies to enhance the research community across IOE, promote interdisciplinary collaborations, and drive forward research objectives. The post holder will work with all Faculty staff, UCL stakeholders, external stakeholders and funders to ensure a successful and positive environment, promoting the Faculty’s reputation for excellence in research delivery.

The post holder will, under the direction of the Head of IOE Research Operations, lead on taking administrative responsibility for all aspects of research grant pre‑award support, including disseminating funding opportunities, providing advice on and successfully developing pre‑award applications and managing them through the pre‑award bid submission process. Whilst ensuring that the proposed application funding costs meet not only the funder’s but UCL’s cost recovery criteria for research funding.

The post holder will support the lead academic through the award set up and contracting processes and support the grants post‑award by providing financial budgeting information, overseeing and directing the project administration processes for the general day to day administration, including budget reconciliation compiling complex data, producing concise written reports and supporting funder reporting/any audit requirements.

In undertaking these duties the post holder will demonstrate the ability to work independently with minimal guidance required.

The post holder will line manage one or a small team of Research Administrators and set objectives, monitor performance, conduct appraisals, offering guidance and assisting with developing knowledge and skills.

This post is offered until 30th April 2027 in the first instance.

With an undergraduate degree or equivalent level of knowledge and experience, you will also have knowledge of research funding bodies, processes and regulations within a HE environment.

Your application form should address all the person specification points and should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet each of the criteria.

It is important that the criteria are clearly numbered and that you provide a response to each one.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday: 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days (pro rata for part time staff)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme (pro rata for part time staff)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme:
  Staff Support Service

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our faculty holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.