Overview

Senior Research Operations Officer – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

About us

Together with the Research Operations Manager, the role holder will act as the departmental research administration support, providing high-quality research support to academic staff, including pre- and post-award grant processes, impact, as well as working to support the implementation of new, and the improvement of existing, processes. 
 
The Department of Physics has had a distinguished scientific tradition since its foundation in 1829.  
 
The Department is growing, and this is reflected in the expansion of the research function and its responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have experience of office administration and dealing with financial processes, ideally in a Higher Education setting, and be able to build strong working relationships with both administrative and academic colleagues to support a wide range of research activity.
 
The post will report to the Research Operations Manager.
 
We currently hold a silver Athena Swan award and Juno Champion status from the Institute of Physics (IOP). We offer a welcoming environment and welcome applications from applicants of all backgrounds.
 
The Department is committed to both educational and research excellence with a wide variety of BSc, MSci, and postgraduate programmes driven by research. 
 
The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) comprises Chemistry, Engineering, Informatics, Mathematics, and Physics – all departments are highly rated in research activities and have a wide-ranging portfolio of education programmes.
 
Celebrating diversity and supporting staff is important to us and we offer a range of provision including flexible working, caring support (including a Parenting and Carers Fund and the Carer’s Career Development Fund), training, and a variety of diversity and inclusion networks. Staff can apply for flexible working to help them balance the demands of their professional and personal commitments and we offer comprehensive leave policies for parental, adoption, surrogacy, dependant, and shared leave.
 
The College is making investment in NMES and both student and staff numbers are growing. Our staff come from over 45 countries and 56% of our students are from outside the UK. Principally located on the Strand Campus in the heart of central London, further details available at  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/nms and  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/physics 

About the role

Support funding applications and awards management, to:-
  • Engage proactively with academic staff in relation to funding calls, working with the Research Development Managers (RDMs), assisting academic staff in identifying funding opportunities and providing expert guidance on funder regulations, terms and conditions of awards, and internal and external processes and policies.
  • Support the preparation of grant applications, including creating staff costings using WorkTribe, entering information on funder portals, coordinating internal peer review, checking compliance with funders and College policies, and obtaining internal approvals.
  • Maintain accurate records of previous, current, and planned grant applications, and ensure grant applications are progressed in a timely manner to meet internal and external deadlines.
  • Support the set-up of new awards, including providing information on budgets, funder regulations and reporting deadlines to the PIs or professional service staff.
  • Support the recruitment of research staff and the administration of their contracts, working with colleagues in Departmental Business Operations team and Human Resources Office.
  • Proactively monitor the financial status of awards and grants, providing timely advice and regular updates to PIs and relevant professional services staff.
  • Support award extensions, supplements and closure, reviewing costs and helping to clear outstanding commitments. To provide information to RMID for funder reporting or audits as requested.
  • Act as the first point of contact for research systems, developing a high degree of expertise with systems including WorkTribe, PURE, and funder portals.
Supporting the research culture, to:-
  • Ensure compliance in the reporting of research outcomes on ResearchFish.
  • Act as secretary to research-related committees.
  • Co-ordinate and maintain oversight of Research Facilities and wider research resources within the Department.
  • Develop and implement Department-specific guidance and processes.
  • Update Department research webpages, SharePoint, and information on the institutional research management system (PURE).
  • Support staff in meeting the requirements of College, REF, and funder Open Access policies.
  • Disseminate research news across the Department, surfacing and communicating success stories to the Faculty External Relations team.
  • Support the organisation of events, seminars and colloquia.
  • Provide administrative support for preparations for submission in the REF exercise, including coordinating output reviews and entering information on PURE.
  • Participate in institution-wide networks, contributing to the alignment of the Research & Researchers function across the College.
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with academic and professional services staff across Departments, Faculty, and the College.
  • Assist the Head of Research, Head of Department, and Senior Department Manager to develop and promote Departmental research strategy.
  • Collate and provide data to support the Department in planning, reporting, and decision making.
General
  • Demonstrate commitment to personal development through attending internal and external training opportunities, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.
  • Act as an evacuation marshal.
  • Undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required.
This is a full time  post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

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