Research Contracts Coordinator

About the Role

RIS is seeking two Research Contracts Coordinators to provide support to the research contract process operated by RIS, working closely with Legal Services. The successful candidates will help expedite contractual processes underpinning our research grants and ensure agreements are put in place in a timely manner, in line with funders' requirements. 

The post holders will provide dedicated support to our researchers by providing advice and guidance on contract management issues related to externally funded research. They will review, coordinate and execute templated research agreements, providing a professional interface between faculties, professional support services and external funders.

Further information is available in the job description. 

About the Team

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides dedicated, specialist support to Northumbria’s research community throughout the research grant lifecycle to help sustain Northumbria’s position as a research-intensive modern university. 

Support includes sourcing potential funding; aiding proposal development; providing guidance through the authorisation process; monitoring project spend; and assisting production of the final report.

RIS designs and administers research-related training programmes for staff, offers support for the commercialisation of research, co-ordinates the University’s ethical procedures and works with senior colleagues to ensure the delivery of coherent research-based policy and strategy.

The Service also supports the University’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission and co-ordinates ways in which the benefits and impact of Northumbria's research are shared with the wider public.

RIS provides professional support for strategy, policy and academic delivery of research and innovation; through a combination of central and Faculty-aligned provision, it supports senior management, academic colleagues and post-graduate research students.

Further details on RIS can be found here.

About You

We're looking for individuals with a proven ability to work in a fast-paced professional environment, and a genuine interest in supporting our researchers to achieve their research goals.  The successful candidate will have:

• Experience of working with contracts and/or in a legal administration environment
• A good working knowledge of contract law and best practice solutions for coordinating contract workflows
• Knowledge and understanding of research support in a Higher Education environment
• The ability to prioritise workload, working to tight deadlines and use initiative where appropriate
• Excellent attention to detail, written and oral communication skills

Further information is available in the person specification. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to explore an apprenticeship in a related field at the appropriate level (eg. Paralegal; solicitor apprenticeship).

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachel Williamson-Pears rachel.williamson-pears@northumbria.ac.uk 

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'.  Your application should include a covering letter and a CV. Shortlisting will be based on the essential criteria for the role; please ensure that your covering letter addresses how you meet the essential criteria, and desirable criteria if possible.

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