Assistant Research Manager

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle University is seeking a proactive professional to join the SAgE Faculty as an Assistant Research Manager. You will guide research proposal strategy and provide agile, coordinated support in a dynamic environment.

You will work with the School Research Manager, build key relationships, and lead on costing and process improvements while inspiring collaboration across the university.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in a research-related role with relevant HEI experience.
• Proven experience in research administration or proposal support.
• Ability to build inclusive, collaborative working relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking, budgeting and costings awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of research proposal strategy for the unit.
• Coordinate agile, visible research proposal support with university teams.
• Advise on costing, pricing strategies and support maximised proposals.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders to support research funding applications.
• Support induction and training for research and enabling colleagues.

Skills

Research administration

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting and costing

Strategic planning

Negotiation and influence

Education

Degree or equivalent in research related role

Job description

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Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 23 November 2026

The Role

Newcastle University is seeking a people oriented and proactive professional to join the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) as an Assistant Research Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing and implementing research service delivery in a dynamic research environment.

You will work closely with the School Research Manager to provide robust, agile and coordinated research proposal support for an allocated unit in the SAgE Faculty. You will support in the delivery of key strategic initiatives aligned to unit, Faculty and University priorities.

To carry out this role you will take the lead on development and implementation of research proposal strategy and support for the unit, developing and managing key relationships with a range of stakeholders.

You will be a dedicated strong team player who is comfortable in taking the lead whilst working in a matrix structure. You will be a proactive problem solver, with the ability to negotiate and influence colleagues across organisational boundaries.

You will report directly to the School Research Manager, deputising when required and supporting areas of research management and service delivery in line with strategic priority need.

The role is offered on a full-time basis. We would welcome requests for flexible working and depending on the needs of the role, blended working opportunities to work remotely as well as on campus may be considered. The hiring manager will discuss the requirements of the role, should you be invited to interview.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Lizzie Bell,School Research Manager for Computing and Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, ( [e-mail] ).

Key Accountabilities

• Working closely with the School Research Manager to develop and implement a strategic plan for awareness and support of all research proposals across the unit
• To coordinate and provide agile and visible PS support for all research proposals across the unit, bringing in specialist teams from across the University (for example, Research Funding and Development and Newcastle Innovations)
• To provide sound advice and guidance relating to all areas of costings, costing and pricing strategies and actively support in costing proposals. Where appropriate, work closely with and line manage the Research Proposal Officer allocated to a unit to ensure appropriate and fully maximised costing of applications
• To identify and implement mechanisms that support a thriving, inclusive and supportive environment for research proposal development and clear understanding of the proposal pipeline within the unit
• To coordinate and ensure appropriate support for the timely submission of high-quality complex funding applications
• To ensure knowledge and expertise in advising and signposting for research funding applicants in relation to non-finance support - such as ethics, funder guidelines, data management plans, trusted research
• To implement processes and mechanisms to ensure all appropriate teams meet regularly to review proposal applications, and that appropriate involvement and timely advice is provided to PS and academic colleagues
• Support the School Research Manager in the implementation of induction and appropriate training and development for research and research-enabling colleagues
• Work with the Head of Faculty Research, Finance and other teams, together with Assistant Research Managers to ensure that opportunities to enhance and create a consistent approach to research support are optimised
• You will report directly to the School Research Manager, deputising when required and supporting areas of research management and service delivery in line with strategic priority need

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• A sound understanding and knowledge of the research environment
• Experience of research administration either with a funding agency or higher education institution
• A demonstrable understanding of how to build a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Effective collaboration, influencing and negotiation skills in an environment where resources may not be within their direct control
• An ability to recognise and analyse the dynamics of problems and issues and provide innovative solutions
• An ability to think strategically and comfortable working at a complex level including the management of conflicting priorities and demands
• Experience of costing and managing projects or equivalent experience (Desirable)
• Experience of developing and implementing strategy in the research environment, preferably in a HEI or other research focussed organisation (Desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, collegiate, transparent and open manner, acting with integrity and able to build trust with colleagues and partners
• An energetic and "can do" approach which will inspire and enthuse others, ready to take the lead in driving forward initiatives
• A role model of the University values and guiding principles who promotes a culture of mutual respect
• An articulate and confident communicator, able to deal with difficult situations and to challenge where necessary
• An exceptional team player confident in working in partnership with others within and outside the organisation
• An ability to act objectively in dealing with complex problems, issues and decision making

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level qualification and/or experience in a similar research related role

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.