Pre-Award Research Manager

Durham University; North East; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham University is seeking a proactive Pre-Award Research Manager to support externally funded research grants from proposal to contract negotiation. The role sits in the Research Operations team within RIS and requires close collaboration with academic staff and departments.

It offers hybrid working with on-site presence and a base at Boldon House, near Durham, plus opportunities to lead bid processes, budget development, and ethical checks while providing guidance across the university.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Experience delivering services and changes within the organisation.
• Experience supporting grant applications, preferably within an HEI.
• Experience providing specialist advice to customers and colleagues.
• Experience participating in networks to influence the University’s reputation.
• Experience negotiating research contracts.

Responsibilities

• Project manage the submission process of the bid (budget development and internal approvals).
• Collaborate with Research Development on strategic funding opportunities.
• Lay reviewing applications for regulatory and funder compliance.
• Ensure timely acceptance of awards, including contract negotiation and due diligence checks.
• Coordinate with post-award and contracting teams to maintain central project data.
• Deliver training and information events.
• Spend time in academic departments to liaise between academic community and RIS.

Skills

Communication skills

Digital skills

CPD / professional development

Regulatory compliance

Problem solving

Prioritisation

Attention to detail

Costing / pricing

Contract negotiation

Project budgeting

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

Worktribe

Microsoft 365

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Job Description

Pre-Award Research Manager (Job Number: 26001339)

Research and Innovation Services

Fixed Term - Full Time

Closing Date

20-Oct-2026, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here .

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page .

The Role and the Department

The Research Operations Team is part of Research and Innovation Services (RIS) and provides comprehensive support to academic and PSS colleagues across the lifecycle of a research project. The team comprises pre- and post-award services, contracting and consultancy support. Support includes tailored financial and contractual advice and management to all researchers at Durham, from planning, costing, and pricing the initial proposal to ensuring that contracts and agreements are negotiated effectively and efficiently, to ensuring robust financial management and compliance of awarded projects. Research Operations works alongside the various teams which make up the Research and Innovation Services and in partnership with Professional Support colleagues across the University to help facilitate research-related planning, reporting and development and to meet the needs of both the individual researcher and the wider institution.

As a Pre-Award Research Manager within the pre-award team, you will play a key role in supporting and developing externally funded research grant activity by providing high quality support and advice to academic staff in the preparation, submission and contractual negotiation of research grants and awards. You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team of Pre Award Research Managers based in the central office but will also be expected to spend time in the academic departments you support, to provide a key link role between the academic community and RIS.

• Project managing the submission process of the bid (including responsibility for budget development and seeking internal approvals).
• Working closely with the Research Development team on strategic funding opportunities.
• Lay reviewing applications for regulatory and funder compliance.
• Ensuring timely acceptance of successful awards including contract negotiation and ensuring all ethical and due diligence checks are completed.
• Working closely with post-award and contracting colleagues to ensure accurate project information is captured and shared in a central project management system.
• Delivering training and information events.

It is essential that the Pre-Award Research Manager is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a pro-active approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial. The ability to work across a number of concurrent projects at different stages of development is essential. A confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with the other members of the Operations Team, Research Development Team, Faculty Officials, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other members of Professional Support Staff.

Working Pattern

We operate hybrid working and are on site 40% of working time per week and remainder can be worked from home.

Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on site for more than 40% of the time for an initial period.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional serviceshub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University .

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest‑free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply / Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Qualifications/Experience

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).

2. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services and activities within the organisation.

3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures, and supporting change and service improvements.

4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.

6. Relevant experience of supporting grant applications preferably within an HEI environment.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

8. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and project or research management systems (eg.worktribe).

9. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

10. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

11. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

12. Ability to prioritise work effectively to meet demanding and often conflicting deadlines

13. Excellent attention to detail and an ability to maintain accuracy whilst working under pressure

14. An understanding of costing and pricing methodologies

15. Experience of negotiating research contracts

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by Research Operations in RIS.
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your Research and Innovation Services.
• Seek feedback from staff and other key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
• Analyse data on the level of service being provided by research operations to recommend areas for future improvement.
• Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
• Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
• Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
• Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Any other reasonable duties.

SECONDMENT

The post is full time fixed term for a maximum 1 year period, with a fixed end date of 31st December 2027, and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website .

Version 07-2026

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]