Research Grants Administrator

Grade UE06: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended (permanent)

The Opportunity

The Research Grants Team are looking for Research Grants Administrators to join our expert team in delivering financial management and post award administration.

You will work collaboratively across the Research Grants team and with colleagues across a range of departments to ensure effective stewardship of research finances and provide specialist knowledge on all aspects of research grant management and reporting.

We are seeking colleagues who will embody our values of expertise, community, integrity and collaboration. 

Colleagues in Edinburgh Research Office work in partnership with researchers to develop and deliver world-leading research. We work across the research lifecycle – growing ideas into proposals, projects and impact.  We are enablers and connectors, networked across the University, able to provide the best advice to researchers and research leaders in all disciplines. We are part of a wider ecosystem of over 300 colleagues providing research support across the University of Edinburgh – linking through our Schools, Colleges and Service Groups.

The Research Grants Team work closely with the University of Edinburgh research and professional service communities, partners and funders, to maximise the research academic colleagues can undertake for the funding they receive.  Our expert team delivers financial management and post award administration of the University’s 3,500 research grants. 

The University offers hybrid working; in Edinburgh Research Office we expect colleagues to be on campus for a minimum of team anchor days, team meetings, all-ERO meetings and other in-person meetings and events required in your role. 

The Research Operations Directorate is responsible for delivery of a high quality, integrated, user-focused and resilient service which covers applications, contracting and awards. We provide the research operations services that underpin the University Research and Innovation Strategy and associated growth plans. 

The Research Grants Team is responsible for ensuring the effective recovery of research income from funders and partners. Our work is predominately deadline driven, and fast paced. Working in the Research Grants Team, you can expect to support the maximisation of research income through ensuring compliance with funder terms and conditions and completing of financial reporting. You will work directly with University of Edinburgh research and professional service communities, as well as external stakeholders. 

A Research Grants Administrator will:

• manage the delivery of their portfolio of grants in a fast paced, deadline driven environment;
• provide a high quality of service through compliance with funder terms and conditions and University policy;
• work with colleagues to find solutions, manage issues and risks, enabling academic colleagues to maximise their research funding; 
• help us continually improve our processes and procedures and train others in new ways of working;

The successful candidate will:

• be passionate about using finance as an enabler to support colleagues in their goals;
• have strong problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude;
• be highly self-motivated and thrive in constantly changing environments;
• excellent organisational and time management skills, with attention to detail;

Development Opportunities

Edinburgh Research Office is a supportive and encouraging environment for those new to research professional services and those wishing to further develop their University professional service careers. We have a longstanding commitment to training and staff development and a great track record of internal promotions for ambitious colleagues. We actively encourage all colleagues in ERO to think about their development in role. We encourage applicants to think not just about their suitability now, but how they might grow in the role in the future. 

Click here for a copy of the full job description

How to Apply

Please apply with a CV and a supporting statement explaining how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required, and your motivation for applying for this post.  

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 29 October 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Working in Edinburgh Research Office you will be part of a professional, supportive and friendly team; at the heart of University research support, working in collaboration with academics and research support professionals across the institution. The breadth of our remit means you will get an overview of research support activity while you build your skills in your specialism. Gaining new knowledge and skills to help you develop in this role and progress in your career is a priority. We offer colleagues a stimulating working environment based on our values of integrity, expertise, community, and collaboration. Our work is fast‐paced and intense; you will thrive here if you are motivated, customer‐orientated, and passionate about providing an excellent service to enable our researchers to do amazing work.