The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 800 staff from over 50 countries worldwide, the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

Under direction of the School Executive Group, and in particular the Associate Dean of Research, the Research Strategy and Development Officer will provide leadership to the School of Life Sciences by supporting, implementing and managing the School's Research Strategy. The School has annual research income in excess of f45M per annum and has been assessed as the top University Biological Sciences department (UoA5) in both REF 2014 and 2021.

The duties of this post will span four key areas: (1) provide key support for the School's Research Excellence Framework submission; (2) identify, develop and support new strategic research collaborations and funding opportunities, including preparation of high-quality funding bids; (3) optimise cost recovery for research and translational activities, including provision of data insights and intelligence from university systems; and (4) organise high-level visits of senior officials to showcase the School's research and engagement excellence.

It is important that the post holder is flexible, capable of working under time pressure and has a proven track record in problem solving. The post holder should have thorough knowledge and understanding of the UK research and innovation funding environment as well as the Research Excellence Framework.

Your priorities will include:

• Provide key support for School's Research Excellence Framework submission. Will include preparation of narrative statements and impact case studies.
• Identify, develop and support new strategic research collaborations and funding opportunities.
• Prepare high-quality proposals for funding.
• Be responsible for managing the reporting requirements related to School strategic funded research initiatives including assimilation of data from a wide range of sources to produce a narrative of research activity and reports on expenditure.
• Optimise cost recovery for the School's research and translational activities, including provision of data insights and intelligence from university systems.
• Oversee the submission of School's research funding applications in Worktribe and act as the School's point of contact for support.
• Organise high-level visits of senior officials to showcase the School's research and engagement excellence.

Who we're looking for:

• Educated to first degree level, in Life Sciences or closely aligned subject area.
• Experience within the Higher Education sector, funding body or demonstrable experience in a research funding environment.
• Experience of preparing high-quality major funding proposals to support strategic initiatives within the HEI setting.
• Ability to assimilate complex scientific and financial information from a wide range of academic, administrative, technical and professional staff and communicate this clearly to the intended audience.
• High-level business planning, financial awareness and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrable depth and breadth of knowledge in Research Strategy development.
• High degree of emotional intelligence, including good listening skills, tact and diplomacy.

Full details of the job description and person specification can be found in the accompanying job description.

For further information about this position please contact Dr. Louise Stanley (1.z.stanley@dundee.ac.uk). To find out more about the School of Life Sciences please visit https://www.dundee.ac.uk/life-sciences