Research Systems Analyst

The focus of this role is primarily to support and administer the grants management systems (Simplectic Grant Tracker / Smart Simple) that underpin our service. As a member of the Systems Team, the postholder will be responsible for assisting the Research Systems Manager and Senior Research Systems Analysts in overseeing the planning, management and reporting of testing components for the main and other systems, liaising closely with colleagues within the team, NIHR Co-ordinating Centres and external vendors.

The Systems Team is currently supporting several digital NIHR initiatives and the post holder will be expected to contribute to these, working closely with the Digital Improvement/Business Analyst team. The Digital Strategy Programme is a NIHR initiative which seeks to personalise and modernise research through innovation and collaboration to transform the way that research is delivered and managed. The One NIHR Project is another initiative looking at unifying identity, processes and systems across the NIHR.

The post holder will divide their time between supporting the Research Systems Manager and team in day-to-day duties including system configuration to support commissioning activities, system testing procedures, system documentation, issue resolution via JIRA, and providing technical support. Good communication skills are essential; the post holder must be able to interact effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation, suppliers and client representatives.

This is a developmental role in which the post holder can learn more technical aspects of the grant management systems with a view to supporting the team in all future initiatives.

• Providing system support to internal and external stakeholders, including access control, issue resolution and configuration support for Grant Management systems
• Assisting the team with change management
• Supporting NIHR projects
• Working with Programmes and Operations team stakeholders to support the commissioning of new funding schemes
• Assisting the team with training users on new features and systems
• Undertaking data cleansing activities to support migration and ongoing maintenance of the systems
• Documenting standard procedures
• Maintaining appropriate documentation to support knowledge transfer
• Supporting the management of system releases
• Participate in meetings and briefings including capturing minutes and actions
• Technical process design and improvement
• Providing absence cover for team roles as needed

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent experience) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Management, Business Systems, or a related field
• Experience in systems administration, application support, or digital services within a complex organisation

• Experience supporting enterprise systems (e.g., CRM, ERP, case/grant management, workflow or finance platforms)
• Hands on system configuration, user access management and environment maintenance
• Formal testing experience including planning, scripting, UAT coordination and defect tracking
• Working knowledge of issue-management tools such as JIRA or similar service desks
• Proven ability to produce technical documentation (SOPs, configuration guides, process maps, release notes)
• Experience supporting releases, upgrades, deployments and data quality or migration activities
• Ability to analyse processes and identify improvements or automation opportunities

• Experience supporting system changes, digital transformation or process redesign projects
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate with vendors or third party suppliers

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non technical audiences
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders, operational teams and external partners, and document meetings and decisions

• Experience in the public sector, higher education, research funding bodies, or other regulated environments
• Understanding of grant management, commissioning cycles, or research administration systems