Job number
ENG03688
Faculties
Faculty of Engineering
Departments
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Salary or Salary range
£46,614 - £56,345 per annum
Location/campus
South Kensington Campus - Hybrid
Contract type work pattern
Full time - Fixed term
Posting End Date
23 Oct 2025
About the role
Following a period of rapid growth and a new research strategy, an exciting opportunity has arisen in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for a Research Support Officer to support strategy delivery through high-quality research administration, with a focus on developing and improving post-award processes.
The postholder will support the management of strategic grants, with a specific focus on selected projects identified as requiring more dedicated administrative attention and those aligned with the research strategy. The post-holder will become well-acquainted with and develop expertise in managing research projects.
This busy, varied role requires multitasking, meeting deadlines, and interacting with staff at all levels. You will be expected to show initiative and work independently.
This is a full-time, fixed-term post for two years in the first instance.
What you would be doing
Research Strategy Operations
In this area, you will:
* Drive operational improvements by reviewing research systems and procedures, implementing a new timesheet system, and developing training resources to support compliance with university and funder policies.
* Support strategic initiatives by assisting with the coordination of strategic bids, including organising meetings, preparing budgets, and collating documentation.
* Support departmental research activities including overseeing data collection for REF 2029 and mid-term assessments, and coordinating all processes related to hosting research visitors.
Grant Portfolio Management
In this area, you will:
* Oversee financial and compliance matters for a portfolio of strategic grants, ensuring expenditure aligns with funder and university policies, preparing audit reports, and monitoring claims.
* Provide administrative and HR support by acting as the primary contact for grant-related queries, supporting recruitment and contract extensions, and maintaining accurate timesheet records.
* Lead on contractual processes by liaising with Research Contracts and EU teams to manage agreements and resolve issues across the grant portfolio.
What we are looking for
You will have a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), with proven experience in financial administration, including budgeting, forecasting, and presenting financial information in a clear and meaningful way.
You will also have experience managing customer-focused services, alongside sound knowledge of financial management, research grants and contracts, funder policies, and full economic costing.
Excellent time management and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively, take initiative, and adapt to changing priorities.
Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills are key to success.
What we can offer you
* The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity
* A sector-leading salary and remuneration package, including 39 days off per year and generous pension schemes
* Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day 1, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and a cycle-to-work scheme
* Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel
Further information
Further information is available in the job description.
The Department supports hybrid working, with a minimum on-site attendance of three days per week.
If you require any further details on the role please contact: Sarah Willis
Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to Lucy Chivers at .
For technical issues when applying online please email .
Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at We're here to help.
About Imperial
Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.
Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.
As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.
This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial College London.
Our Culture
We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.
Our values are at the root of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and innovation.