CANDIDATE BRIEF European Post Award Research Officer, Research & Innovation Services Salary: Grade 5 ( 21,843 25,298 p.a.) Reference: CSRIS1047 Fixed-term for 2 years
European Post Award Research Officer Research & Innovation Services Do you have experience of working in a financial setting, analysing and working with financial data? Can you provide expertise and support in EU research programme regulations and procedures for research sponsors? The Research and Innovation Service (RIS) provides central support to research and innovation activities across the University, working in partnership with Faculty-based Research and Innovation Offices. The EU Team is part of the wider RIS Funding Development Team, supporting EU research funding opportunities and strategy both pre- and post-award. As a member of the Funding Development Team, reporting to the European Post Award Research Administrator, you will be responsible for the contractual and financial management of the University's European Union portfolio of research awards (income of around 20 million this financial year). You will be responsible for award acceptance, database management, initial meetings, preparation of cost statements, audit assistance, liaison with the European Commission and general financial advice to award holders and administrators. What does the role entail? As a European Post Award Research Officer, your main duties will include: Provide pro-active post-award support to over 200 live EU research projects from initial award to closing. This will include managing grant budgets, meeting with academics and giving advice on EU regulations; Develop high level expertise in the use of the University s financial and grant management systems to support the financial aspects of EU grant management; Monitor income and expenditure and arrange payments to national and international partners / collaborators; Arrange and attend internal kick-off meetings with PI (Principal Investigator) and administrators to advise on reporting requirements and to establish project management responsibilities. Establish good working relationships with the PI s in order to support the ongoing management of the grant;
Provide high level of expertise in EU research programme regulations and procedures for research sponsors, academic staff and administrators across the University; Maintain an audit timetable and act as the primary contact for internal audits of cost statements, managing these processes as per sponsor requirement; Prepare and ensure timely submission of annual cost statements, consolidated statements and financial summaries according to Commission requirements; Provide advice relating to financial aspects of the research awards to academic staff working on the project; Provide advice to Schools and Faculty staff regarding EU cost models, eligible costs and budgets; External liaison with research sponsors and internal liaison with Schools, Faculties and other corporate services in relation to EU research grant administration; Provide information and advice to sponsors / departments on research related financial issues and recommend solutions; Produce correspondence, as required, ensuring information is accurate and provided in a timely manner; Maintain grant files in line with University and Commission protocols, ensuring full documentation is maintained in the appropriate format for audit purposes; Resolve day-to-day problems, recommend changes to work processes and practices in response to changing circumstances and maintain the quality of the service offered; Attendance at relevant external events, including occasional overseas travel; These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post. What will you bring to the role? As a European Post Award Research Officer you will have: Experience of working in a financial setting, analysing and working with financial data;
High level of financial literacy and numeracy, including the ability to prepare and analyse financial information; Experience of administrating finances in research grants, preferably EUfunded; Excellent attention to detail with the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy; Ability to provide expert advice to a range of audiences; Ability to prioritise workloads and demonstrated ability to plan and implement activities of work to meet tight deadlines; Excellent written and spoken communication skills with demonstrable ability to liaise effectively with staff at all levels and to articulately express complex ideas and analysis; Ability to work independently, using own initiative to solve problems; Competent IT skills particularly MS Excel; Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality; Experience of supporting financial audits. You may also have: Experience of SAP financial management system; Experience of working with the European Commission; Knowledge of EU Framework Programme 7 and H2020 research programmes; Experience of working within a research support environment. How to apply You can apply for this role online; more guidance can be found on our How to Apply information. Applications should be submitted by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date.
Contact information To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: Ben Williams, Head of European Funding Tel: +44 (0)113 343 4934 Email: B.A.Williams@leeds.ac.uk Additional information Find out more about the Service http://ris.leeds.ac.uk/ Working at Leeds You can find out more about our generous benefits package and more about what it is like to work at the University and live in the Leeds area in our Working at Leeds information. Candidates with disabilities Information for candidates with disabilities, impairments or health conditions, including requesting alternative formats, can be found in our Accessibility information or by getting in touch with us at disclosure@leeds.ac.uk. Criminal record information A criminal record check is not required for this position, however, all applicants will be required to declare if they have any unspent criminal offences, including those pending. Any offer of appointment will be in accordance with our Criminal Records policy. You can find out more about required checks and declarations in our Criminal Records information.