TITLE OF POST: Research Funding Officer
LOCATION: University of Limerick
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager, Health Research Institute (HRI)
CONTRACT TYPE: Multiannual
SALARY SCALE: €54,331 - €83,023 p.a.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Section 1: Job Context
1. Job Purpose
To provide dedicated support to health researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) and at
its affiliated institutions through the provision of comprehensive advice and practical support
on issues relating to applications for externally funded research and in managing aspects of
post-award funding.
The role presents an opportunity to make a major contribution to the strategic development
of research inputs and outputs in support of Goal 2 of the strategic plan.
This job will involve the management of institute funding proposals. Many of these
proposals will involve multiple partners such as Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), UL
hospitals, industry, other public bodies and NGOs. The job requires a significant level of
liaising with funding agencies and government department personnel. The job will also
provide support to HRI researchers, primarily in the application and administration of
research funding, for the further advancement of strategic research activities at UL & UL
Hospitals.
2. Key Accountabilities
Job description
The principal activities of the post involve:
Managing multiple strategic funding proposals across the institute.
Acting as key point of contact for cross-faculty institute proposal submissions
(tendering, implementation and reporting).
Managing and overseeing large competitive tender submissions and managing
support to other Executive offices/Divisions when large competitive funding
applications/tenders are live within the institution.
Commissioning and undertaking background research, drafting briefing papers
and developing formal responses, planning documents, etc. in relation to the
internal and/or external research policy environment (e.g. HRB, Department of
Health, Welcome Trust, SFI, EI, EU, etc.).
Making presentations and communicating viz. leading workshops and chairing
meetings; supporting managers and proposal teams.
Tracking and reporting on a wide range of cross institute initiatives/activities.
Liaising with research leadership across the University and in collaborating
institutions & healthcare partners.
Representing UL on a wide range of national/regional/international bodies and
committees and research policy/planning fora at Senior Management/Executive
level.
Contributing to regular management meetings.
Co-ordination and management of internal research reviews of HRI projects.
Liaising with funding bodies.
Scoping funding opportunities from traditional and non-traditional sources.
 Assisting with the preparation of research applications (e.g. advising on application
procedures, eligibility criteria, funders' terms and conditions, etc.). This will involve
working closely with researchers, other relevant staff and UL’s Research Office.
 Costing proposals, ensuring appropriate cost recovery and that applications comply
with UL’s financial regulations, strategic pricing policies, strategy for cost recovery and
also funder’s terms and conditions.
 Working with Principal Investigators (PIs) in preparing and submitting research
applications in a timely manner and in the required format, such that submission
deadlines and all other requirements of the funding body are met. This includes
ensuring that applications have been appropriately authorised and are in line with UL’s
financial regulations including grant and contract extensions.
 Working with the Research Support Service (RSS) & Technology Transfer Office
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(TTO) to optimise opportunities and minimize duplication.
Dealing with requirements for matching funds, negotiating additional funding and
possible time extensions of funding for research projects.
Working with other functions to asses all proposals for ethical approval, indemnity,
liabilities and intellectual property issues that may affect the proposal costs or its
viability and advising the Institute Director and PIs in this regard.
Assisting the HRI Operations Manager in the development and maintenance of
Institute Standard Operating Procedures.
Involvement in the closure of projects, for example in linking recently completed
projects to new research proposals, linking the relevant funding streams when
appropriate.
Identifying opportunities for external funding, utilising the internet, internal and external
databases, and other sources, publicising these opportunities to the UL health
research community.
Processing grant and contract award acceptances, in accordance with funders'
requirements and researchers’ objectives, logging application rejections and resubmissions.
Ensuring that key contractual obligations arising from grant proposals have been
highlighted to the researchers and their Head of Departments as appropriate.
Updating the proposal tracking system during the application process to the stage of
acceptance/rejection of the award, recording all appropriate data for effective postaward administration of the project (e.g. project milestones, payment terms and
expenditure claims, etc.).
Establishing and maintaining comprehensive project research files, including all
associated correspondence, for access by the University, Institute, Research teams
and external bodies.
Liaising with the funding bodies on their procedures, regulations, terms and
conditions.
Contributing to regular reviews of the terms and conditions of research grant-awarding
bodies (e.g. Health Research Board, charities, Government Departments, EU, etc.).
Supporting the effective management and enhancement of UL’s research activities by
contributing to its management systems, providing management information and
promoting its research capabilities, facilities and expertise.
Working with others within UL and the HRI in maximising the impact of research
undertaken as part of the cycle of raising research funds.
Monitoring the effectiveness of grant and contract application and award processing
procedures, contributing to the development and delivery of related guidance notes,
web-based resources, presentations and workshops for researchers.
Preparing detailed management information reports and analyses of Health Research
Institute research grant and contract application and award activity for the Institute
Executive, Institute Researchers, University Research Office and the wider University
community.
3. Context
3a Key Working
Relationships & Contacts
The Research Funding Officer will report to the HRI Operations Manager, and will work
closely with the Operations Manager in ensuring effective and efficient delivery of a highquality support service to the research community. The role will involve close teamwork
with the other members of the HRI Executive, particularly with the Institute Director and
also with UL’s Research Office.
The Research Funding Officer will be required to have formal links with the RSS team and
in particular provide the Director of RSS with regular updates on funding applications and
awards. The Funding Officer will develop and maintain relationships and liaison with other
groups, both internal and external to the University, including among others the UL
research community, HR, finance, clinical researchers in health care settings affiliated to
UL (both hospital and community based), funding agencies, other higher education
institutions, industrial partners, etc.
Section 2: Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Competencies
5. Knowledge, Functional
Skills, Experience &
Qualifications
Job description
Requirement
Qualifications
A higher degree (preferably to PhD level) in a relevant discipline (Science,
Biology, Health)
Essential/
Desirable
Essential
6. Behavioural
Competencies
Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ work experience post higher degree
Essential
Proven track record of project management
Essential
Proven track record of achievement & delivering results
Desirable
Experience of working in a pressurised environment
Desirable
Track record of leadership
Desirable
Experience managing teams
Desirable
Experience in the preparation and review of complex proposals and reports
Desirable
Work experience in an academic or healthcare environment
Desirable
Work experience in industry
Desirable
Knowledge
Knowledge of national and international research funding programmes and
trends
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of accountancy principles
Desirable
Knowledge and understanding of quality processes and procedures
Desirable
Functional/Work-based Skills
Good knowledge and experience of computerized information packages
Desirable
Enablers of Success
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Planning and organising skills
Creative problem solving ability
Ability to be effective in a multidisciplinary team structure
Effective leadership skills
Customer Focus
Job description