Research Finance Officer

Trilateral Research; Leicester; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Trilateral Research is seeking a Research Finance Officer to oversee the financial management of research grants, particularly those funded by the European Commission. This fully remote role requires strong experience in financial administration, detailed knowledge of grant processes, and excellent communication skills. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with researchers and project leads to ensure compliance and accurate financial reporting.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Enhanced pension

Additional holiday entitlement

Company sick pay

Family-friendly leave

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in financial administration.
• Experience with European Commission funding.
• Advanced Excel skills required.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial reporting for EC-funded research projects.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and cashflows.
• Prepare financial statements for grant reimbursements.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Negotiation

Education

Accounting or Finance degree

Level 4 Accounting qualification (AAT)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

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Research Finance Officer Location: UK (Remote in the UK) | Type: Permanent | Start: ASAP | Hours: Full-time | Salary: Commensurate with experience

We are seeking a Research Finance Officer to support the financial management of our growing portfolio of research projects, with a focus on European Commission (EC) funded grants. You will be a vital link between researchers, project leads, finance teams, and partners - ensuring accurate, timely accounting and cost reporting.

Who we are At Trilateral Research , we deliver award-winning AI solutions and services to tackle society’s toughest challenges, from child safeguarding to climate action. We combine cutting-edge tech with over 15 years of pioneering research to help organisations innovate responsibly, stay compliant, and protect fundamental rights.

What you will do

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

Manage financial reporting and compliance for company coordinated projects and EC-funded research grants

Monitor and report on budgets, expenditures, and project cashflows

Review personnel costs (payroll, timesheets) against funder criteria

Prepare financial statements and claims for grant reimbursements

Guide and advise researchers on project financial monitoring and EC funding rules and proposal submissions

Ensure grant setup, forecasting, and contracts (e.g., Consortium Agreements) are in place and fully executed

Support audits and ad-hoc finance requests from senior leadership

What you bring

Required education and experience:

3+ years' experience in end-to-end financial administration and management of accounts in a fast-paced professional environment

Accounting qualifications (Level 4 or higher, e.g. AAT/Accounting or Finance degree) or demonstrable/relevant work experience will also be considered

Proven experience in financial project coordination, administration, and budget management

Experience or applicable knowledge in research grant accounting

Experience supporting the research project life cycle

Experience with European Commission funding streams (Horizon2020/Horizon Europe)

Experience managing research grants in higher education or similar environments

Experience in remote working environments

Professional knowledge and technical skills:

Intermediate skills in Microsoft packages such as Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Advanced Excel skills are essential

Significant knowledge of accounting for projects or research grant funding

Advanced skills in stakeholder management with internal and external partners

Ability to collate information from diverse sources and compile reports

Interpersonal skills:

Excellent English verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate complex financial information to non-specialist audiences

Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively

Negotiation skills with the ability to manage expectations with stakeholders

Flexibility and adaptability to change direction when required

Ability to work with confidential material maintaining high standards of discretion

Detail-orientated

What we offer

Competitive salary & enhanced pension (based on service)

Enhanced holiday entitlement increasing with tenure

Company sick pay & family-friendly leave

How to apply

Application requirements: Please submit your CV and complete all application questions listed, to have your application considered. References will be required prior to appointment and candidates must be eligible to work in the country the role requires.

Application deadline: Monday the 16th of June 2025 at 5pm (UK)

Timelines: Our hiring team will be continuously reviewing applications as they are submitted. We receive a high volume of applications, and we will only be able to progress applicants that meet all the essential requirements listed in this description.

Key information

We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity.

At Trilateral Research, we value privacy and data protection rights. We have a longstanding data protection culture and promote robust ethical standards in data management and research ethics. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice in relation to our recruitment activities before submitting your application to work with us.