Business & Operations Administrator (Fixed Term)

CamWebDir; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free entrance to Botanic Gardens

Generous holiday allowance

Defined benefits pension schemes

Flexible working options

Family-friendly initiatives

Career development opportunities

Support for health and mental well-­be

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

The Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge is seeking a Business & Operations Administrator (Fixed Term) to shape and implement essential administrative and operational processes. You will work closely with stakeholders to improve day-to-day procedures and support researchers with costings and grant applications.

This newly created role offers training and the opportunity to influence how responsibilities are delivered to meet the laboratory's objectives.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in an administrative role.
• Strong numerical and communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and manage tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Help design day-to-day processes and establish effective ways of working.
• Provide proactive research support to drive high-quality funding applications.
• Support researchers in preparation, costing and review of research bids, with emphasis on costing and compliance.
• Advise on operational aspects of grant applications, including eligibility and rules of funding calls.
• Assist Health and Safety Manager with meetings, inductions and risk assessments.

Job description

# Business & Operations Administrator (Fixed Term)UUniversity of CambridgeCB2 1TNvia University of CambridgePosted 3 Nov 2026Apply on cam.ac.uk →We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Sainsbury's Laboratory as a Business and Operations Administrator. This is a newly created and diverse role, offering a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to shape and develop the function from the outset. Working closely with key stakeholders, the post holder will have significant scope to design day-to-day processes, establish effective ways of working, and influence how responsibilities are delivered to support the organisation's objectives.The successful candidate will have previous experience in an administrative role. Key skills and attributes required for this role include strong numerical and communication skills, as well as attention to detail. The ability to build effective working relationships is also essential for the role. To thrive in this deadline-driven operational role, you will need to be able to work independently, with the ability to prioritise workloads as well as managing tight deadlines.The post-holder will provide proactive research support to drive high-quality funding applications. Working closely with the Business and Operations Manager you will support researchers in the preparation, costing and review of research bids, with a significant aspect of the role focused on costing and compliance. You will provide advice and guidance on various operational aspects of grant applications, including eligibility of the applicant(s), adherence to the rules of the funding call and accurate costings. Prior knowledge and experience of research support activities in Higher Education would be advantageous but is not essential, as full and detailed training will be provided.The successful applicant will develop a deep understanding of the administrative support required across the Laboratory. You will be supported to take on varied responsibilities alongside the core requirements of the role, including assisting the Health and Safety Manager in the delivery of meetings, inductions and managing risk assessments.You'll receive excellent benefits at the Sainsbury Laboratory including:• Free entrance to the Botanic Gardens• Generous holiday allowance• Defined benefits pension schemes• Flexible working options• Family-friendly initiatives• Career development opportunities• Support for health and mental wellbeingMore information about the Sainsbury Laboratory can be found at https://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2031 in the first instance.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.For questions regarding the application process, please email [e-mail] quote reference PT51585 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.