Senior Research Funding Development Mgr

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 19 February 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to develop, manage and deliver the University’s research funding development strategy and service for the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. You will lead and manage the Faculty’s Research Funding Development Team, part of Newcastle University’s Research and Innovation Service.

The Senior Research Funding Development Manager will manage and deliver the University’s research funding development strategy and service for the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). The aim will be to maximise research funding from external funding bodies.

You will be based in the Faculty of Medical Sciences and will work with colleagues across the University to manage and deliver a high quality, seamless service to maximise research funding from external funding bodies.

You will have skills in the preparation of or support for complex applications for external research funding. You should have well-established knowledge of research funding agencies and funding streams, preferably in the medical sciences. You will need to have the ability to work effectively on complex, deadline-driven tasks with colleagues in a range of roles. You should have experience of line-management and preferably also team leadership.

Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact Dr Johanna Gascoigne-Owens, Head of Research Funding Development (johan), if you would like to discuss the position.

To apply please upload your CV and cover letter, evidencing how your skills and experience align to the person specification as outlined within job description.

• Lead and manage the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) research funding development team.
• The leadership element will involve: developing a research funding strategy for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, working collaboratively with the Faculty Dean of Research and Innovation, Institute Deans, Head of Faculty Research and members of the Faculty Research Funding Development Team; working with the FMS (and wider) Research Funding Development Team in a motivated and coordinated way to implement this strategy.
• The management element will involve: line management and professional development of the FMS Research Funding Development Team members; working with professional services colleagues in the Faculty, wider University, Newcastle Joint Research Office and NHS to ensure synergy and effective, ‘smart’ research services.
• Work with your team members and relevant stakeholders to maximise research awards across the Faculty of Medical Sciences, in fundamental research, experimental medicine and translational research. The research funding development service will involve: gathering and sharing funding information and intelligence; developing, maintaining and using relationships with key funders and other relevant bodies; developing and delivering funding information and training; hands-on work with applicants, including providing personalised support for large and complex applications;
  
  linking with other professional teams in the University and beyond, to ensure a seamless and smart service.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to identify areas where the University has competitive advantage and analyse/evaluate relevant funding streams. Strategically match these opportunities to relevant groups/individuals, ensuring best fit to deliver against the Faculty and University research agenda. This will include managing and running selection of appropriate proposals where needed (for example where limited numbers of applications are permitted by the funder).
• Work to ensure that research funding proposals are of the highest quality in order to maximise success rates. Activities in this area will include: interpreting and advising on funder, University and NHS policy and requirements; advising on proposal content and presentation; engaging with our research leaders for their support (for example…