Key Duties Provide professional advice and guidance on the preparation of significant, high value, multipartner project proposals to EU and International sources and, on occasion UK funders, guiding on processes and procedures to internal and external customers that will have institution wide impacts, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood. Provide professional advice and guidance on the preparation of proposals for research funding (content of both scientific/specialist and non-specialist sections), including the identification of external research partners, where appropriate. Take responsibility for resolving issues independently where they fall within set role objectives. Investigation and analysis of specific issues within the research funding landscape, creating recommendation reports when necessary. Ensure that the promotion of research funding opportunities meets the institution’s needs, proactively changing the delivery according to business requirements. Maintain sufficient knowledge in order to match academics with funding opportunities and suggest potential project partners from complementary areas within the University. Establish working relationships with senior staff, research managers and professional services staff at School and College level, as well as with staff in relevant professional services departments, key research institutes and centres, developing appropriate communication links with these as required. Establish working relationships with the main research sponsors and funding schemes that support research in the relevant schools with whom you will be working, especially those of Horizon 2020 and international funders of research, developing appropriate communication links with these and our strategic partners and networks. Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve college, Research Development and Research Services’ objectives and contribute to relevant University ambitions. Plan and deliver specific small-scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed. Develop and deliver training within the areas of developing and supporting best practice for the management of research and knowledge exchange activities. Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the Department. General Duties Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties. Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity. Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role. Person Specification Essential Criteria Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience. Substantial post-graduate research and development experience of working within in an academic or business environment, or evidence of experience in a research administration role. Able to demonstrate professional knowledge for the preparation of competitive research bids for external funding. Able to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers. Able to demonstrate experience in supporting the delivery of major projects and strategically important goals. Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures in order to meet critical business needs. Ability to communicate both orally and written, conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people at all levels within the organisation and externally. Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments. Evidence of ability to solve significant problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions. Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of i) current trends in research, science and technology and relevant policy as relating to higher education; and ii) the major bodies which sponsor research in UK universities. Evidence of ability to scope and deliver specific projects, establish and supervise short term project teams and prioritise tasks. Desirable Criteria Postgraduate/Professional qualification in a relevant academic discipline or in applied aspects of innovation/commerce/commercialisation. Experience of costing and pricing of research and development activity, and of post-award and project closure matters (e.g. audit requirements) with relevance to European activity. Additional Information The Research Service Cardiff is an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. Our world-leading research was ranked 5th for quality amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and we provide an educationally outstanding experience for our 30,000 students. With an annual budget in excess of £500 million and around 6,000 staff, Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of the 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. The University has 24 academic schools grouped into three colleges: Biomedical & Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. The University’s ambition is to rank consistently among the top 100 universities in the world. Cardiff is also developing its Innovation System through a focused programme of investment in people and infrastructure. Research funding secured from competitive, external sources exceeds £100 million annually and the University aims to grow this further through winning grants from a wide range of national and global sources. The Research Service supports the University’s research community in initiating and delivering research and innovation activities. Led by the Director, Vanessa Cuthill, we provide services via over 100 expert staff organised in five specialist teams: Research Grants Office; Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics; Research Development; Research Commercialisation and Impact; Research Strategy and Operations and Business Engagement and Partnerships. The Department works closely with academic and professional services staff from all areas of the institution.