Research Development Manager

CamWebDir; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge is seeking a Research Development Manager to support pre-award activities for the School of Biological Sciences. The role emphasizes costing, compliance, and proactive process improvement within a hybrid work environment.

Onsite attendance at Greenwich House is required for a minimum of 2 days per week, with additional onsite work as needed. The successful candidate will lead a small team, liaise with academic colleagues and external contacts, and contribute to shaping

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and people-management experience.
• Excellent communication and negotiating skills.
• Strong financial and budgeting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate pre-award support across the University.
• Lead costing and compliance activities for proposals.
• Identify opportunities to optimise processes and co-ordinate development activities.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Job description

# Research Development ManagerUUniversity of CambridgeCB2 1TNvia University of CambridgePosted 23 Oct 2026Apply on cam.ac.uk →The University of Cambridge is one of the world's top research establishments. Fundamental to its continued success in world-leading research and in securing funding is the role of the University's Research Office. We are a team of over 240 people and are the central administrative hub for research activities at the University.We have a challenging, interesting and rewarding role available within our Research Development Team providing support to the University's School of Biological Sciences.We are looking for a proactive individual, with excellent communication and negotiating skills, who will coordinate pre-award support across the University. As part of the Research Operations Office, the Research Development teams are the principal source of advice and support for researchers ensuring proposals meet application requirements and comply with University policy. The role will seek to develop and improve proposals, in close partnership with researchers, with a significant aspect of the role focused on costing and compliance. In addition, as part of the Research Development Team, you will identify opportunities to optimise these processes and to co-ordinate development activities that add value to the research development process.We are looking for an individual with solid experience of research support, preferably in a University setting, and ideally with research experience in a cognate discipline to lead our team supporting the University's School of Biological Sciences. As part of your application please describe how your background and experience aligns with and will support the needs of the School.To succeed in this role you will have excellent leadership, financial and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise credibly with academic colleagues and researchers and external contacts. Diplomacy and tact are essential along with an ability to independently organise and prioritise you and your team's workload.The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on University premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows. This role requires onsite attendance at Greenwich House for a minimum of 2 days per week with additional onsite working according to business need.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Isabelle De Wouters at: [e-mail] you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: Cambridge Research Office Recruitment at: [e-mail] see the Further Particulars document for more details of this vacancy. Your application should clearly set out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the skills and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted based on these criteria.Please include details of your referees, including email address, one of which must be your most recent line manager.Please quote reference EW51487 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