Research Support Officer

University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

Benefits include a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits at  and join us to become part of something special.

Academic research is at the heart of the University’s core activities. We are in the top 10% of UK universities for research, with globally recognised strengths. Research outputs and outcomes of the highest quality and significance are the bedrock of our academic reputation. To achieve this, we strive to advance our distinctive and high‑quality research capabilities to ensure we are well positioned to exploit emerging and future research opportunities.

Research support in the Science Faculty is provided by two hub teams who work with researchers across three schools. You will support and assist with a variety of research support activities, including costings and applications, responding to queries, collaborating closely with other Professional Service teams, and maintaining data. You will also contribute to University initiatives to share best practices and foster continual improvement.

We are looking for someone proactive and flexible; pragmatic and solutions‑focused; with excellent attention to detail; and strong customer service skills.

• Application development support, including routine costings; providing advice on funder guidance and eligibility; fielding queries & troubleshooting; advising on the application process; transferring data to funder submission systems and platforms (TFS, EU portal, etc.).
• Manage and maintain databases and pipelines that contribute to key university processes and monitor pre‑award research grant activity, including applications, Fellowships, and equipment.
• Act as the first point of contact for funding‑related queries, helping to identify and maximise response to funding opportunities, including working directly with individual academics to identify appropriate funding schemes, as well as assisting with the organisation and support of research‑related events.
• Support grant applications and quality review, including organising Faculty Sift/Peer Review Panels, one‑off individual Faculty peer reviews and mock interview panels, setting up panels with various expertise, collating a database with mock interview questions, supporting the panels, and collating feedback for applicants.
• Contribute to the smooth handover and set up of successful grants, working with colleagues in the Pricing and Contracts Teams from Research, Partnerships and Innovation, and Faculty Finance as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other members of the Research Support Hub to systematically organise and update data and materials on the Hub’s Shared Drive, while aligning with GDPR requirements for data protection and the University’s Retention Policy.
• Maintain close links with colleagues in Research, Partnerships and Innovation, and other Professional Services staff to ensure processes are aligned with University requirements, e.g. ethics, open access, data management, and grant transfers.
• Produce and distribute support materials, including developing and maintaining a research bid library by working with colleagues in the Research Hub and the Faculty of Science Research Growth Teams.
• Develop and maintain the Faculty Research Intranet Portal.
• Run routine reports to enable, for example, monitoring grant application rates as well as to assist with queries regarding the data included in systems such as Academic Metrics.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your experience does not match perfectly with this role’s criteria,…