Project Support Officer (Research)
Glasgow / Hybrid - 6 Month Contract - £250+ per day - Outside IR35
Role Overview
The Project Support Officer provides high quality administrative and operational support to research projects within a higher education or equivalent research environment. Working closely with academics, researchers, and professional services colleagues, the post holder will support the effective delivery of research projects across their full lifecycle, from initiation and funding setup through to monitoring, reporting, and BAU.
This role requires experience of working in research or project based environments, an understanding of research governance processes, and the ability to manage complex information while supporting multiple stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Project and Research Support
Provide day-to-day administrative and operational support for research projects, ensuring compliance with funder, institutional, and regulatory requirements
Support project planning activities including timelines, milestones, risk registers, and progress tracking
Assist with coordination of project meetings, workshops, and events, including agendas, papers, minutes, and follow up actionsFinancial and Grant Administration
Support financial monitoring of research grants, including tracking expenditure, assisting with forecasts, and liaising with finance teams
Assist with procurement processes, purchase orders, and supplier coordination in line with institutional policies
Support academics and project leads
Reporting and Compliance
Assist with preparation and submission of funder reports (financial and narrative)
Maintain accurate project records, documentation, and audit trails
Support compliance with research governance requirements, including ethics approvals, data management planning, and open access processes.Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including research staff, funders, collaborators, and professional services
Support effective communication across project teams, ensuring information is shared in a timely and clear mannerContinuous Improvement
Contribute to the development and improvement of research support processes and systems
Provide cover and support across the research administration team as requiredEssential Criteria
Experience working in a research, higher education, or similar project‑focused environment
Demonstrable experience providing administrative or project support across multiple work streams
Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines
Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Experience of working with financial or budget information
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), and ability to learn new systems quickly
Desirable Criteria
Experience supporting research projects
Familiarity with research lifecycle processes, including grant setup, reporting, and BAU
Knowledge of research governance, ethics, or data management principles
Experience using research management systems (e.g. Worktribe, Pure, SAP, Oracle, or similar)Personal Attributes
Professional, proactive, and service‑oriented approach
Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Confidence working with academic staff and senior stakeholders
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive working practices
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