Research Grants and Contracts Officer

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a detail-oriented Research Grants and Contracts Officer to join their Research & Innovation team in Greater London. This role involves managing research funding, providing advice on grant applications, and ensuring financial compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience in research finance and contracts within a healthcare setting. This position offers a salary between £46,419 and £55,046 per year, pro-rata, including High Cost Area Supplement. Flexible working arrangements are also available.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the UK Clinical Research landscape.
• Experience of working in a healthcare research support environment.
• Experience of research governance and legislative knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on funding applications.
• Liaise with funding bodies and sponsors.
• Maintain accurate financial records.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Systems management

Maintain accurate information

Education

Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

SOECAT

FEC

EDGE

IRAS

Job description

Research Grants and Contracts Officer

The closing date is 04 January 2026

We are looking for a detail‑oriented and proactive R&I Grants and Contracts Officer to join our Research & Innovation team at the St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (GESH). This key role supports the coordination and management of research funding across the Group, providing expert advice on grant applications, overseeing contract negotiations, and ensuring financial compliance throughout the lifecycle of research projects. The successful candidate will work closely with internal teams and external partners, including funding bodies and research sponsors, to facilitate impactful research and innovation. The post‑holder will be based at the Tooting site, but may work across any GESH site. If you have experience in research finance, contracts, and project oversight within a healthcare or academic setting, you are encouraged to apply and contribute to our mission of advancing clinical excellence.

Main Duties

Ideally with previous experience, the role will support the coordination and management of research funding across the GESH NHS Group. Key responsibilities include providing expert guidance on grant applications, negotiating and executing research contracts, and ensuring financial oversight throughout the lifecycle of funded projects. The post‑holder will liaise with internal teams and external partners, including funding bodies and sponsors, to ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations. They will maintain accurate records, monitor income and expenditure, and contribute to strategic initiatives that promote research excellence and innovation across the organisation.

About Us

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000‑strong workforce.

At GESH we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on funding applications, ensuring proposals meet funder requirements and internal standards.
• Liaise with funding bodies, sponsors, and collaborators to manage funding calls and support impactful research.
• Identify new and innovative grant opportunities aligned with the Group’s strategic priorities.
• Act as the first point of contact for grant‑related enquiries.
• Prepare, negotiate, and execute research contracts and agreements, including MTAs, CTAs, and sub‑contracts.
• Ensure contracts are signed by authorised signatories and stored appropriately.
• Support income and expenditure for grant‑funded projects, flagging issues and ensuring timely fund transfers.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reporting systems to support post‑award management.
• Track project timelines, deliverables, and compliance with Trust procedures.
• Support the Senior Management Team in monitoring contract delivery and ensuring amendments are processed efficiently.
• Maintain an electronic register of all contractual documentation and associated deadlines.
• Provide timely and accurate reports to internal stakeholders on funding flows and contract status.
• Build strong relationships with internal departments, external sponsors, and academic partners.
• Promote a culture of collaboration and research excellence across the organisation.
• Ensure all activities comply with relevant legislation, NHS policies, and research governance frameworks.
• Support the development and use of contract templates and guidance materials.

Person Specification

Experience

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience in a similar role.
• ICH‑GCP and Project Management experience.
• Experience of working in a healthcare research support environment and/or understanding of research funding systems, managing research projects and clinical trial logistics.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Clinical Research landscape.
• Experience of research finance tools such as SOECAT, FEC, and finance systems.
• Experience of research contract templates such as DTA, MTA, McNA, MCTA.
• Experience of research governance and legislative knowledge.
• Research management system experience such as EDGE, IRAS, etc.

Skills

• Systems management, including database, spreadsheets, etc., to manage workload.
• Maintain accurate information.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous convictions.

Employer Name

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£46,419 to £55,046 a year pro‑rata incl HCAS (inner London)