Research Grants Finance Officer

University of Birmingham - Research Strategy and Services

Placed On: 30th March 2026
Closes: 13th April 2026
Job Ref: 95399

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Job summary

The Research Grants Finance Officer plays a key role as part of the wider Post Award management within the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD), supporting academic colleagues to deliver successful, well-managed research projects. Working as part of a friendly and collaborative team, the postholder will provide high-quality financial administration across a portfolio of externally funded awards, ensuring financial claims, reports and forecasts are accurate, timely and compliant with funder requirements.

This is a role that combines financial administration, problem-solving and relationship-management. You will work closely with academic project leads, colleagues in RSSD and Professional Services partners, with strong support, training, and regular opportunities to learn from experienced peers.

The postholder will contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by sharing good practice, helping to streamline processes and supporting a consistent, high-quality service for our academics and external partners. This role sits within an established Post Award community, where colleagues provide guidance, mentoring and day-to-day support to ensure you can develop confidence and expertise across the post award lifecycle of project grants.

Main duties

1. Provide clear, practical and timely financial support throughout the post award lifecycle for a defined portfolio of project grants, including budget monitoring, claims, reporting and project closure, with support and guidance from the Post Award leadership team as needed.
2. Build positive and proactive working relationships with academic colleagues and their project managers where applicable, helping them to understand financial information, optimise their budgets and comply with funder terms and conditions.
3. Manage financial claims, reporting and monitoring for your project portfolio, ensuring accuracy and timeliness while drawing on established processes, templates and team support.
4. Contribute to the smooth and efficient operation of the Post Award function by identifying opportunities to simplify steps, improve handovers and support process enhancements.
5. Share good practice across the Post Award teams and support colleagues, helping to embed consistent approaches and contribute to a collaborative, supportive working culture.
6. Monitor a range of monthly KPIs for your portfolio to deliver to expected standards and resolve issues proactively.
7. Support preparation for internal and external audits, ensuring information is accurate and provided promptly, with guidance available from managers and experienced colleagues where required.
8. Liaise with external funders as needed to provide financial assurance, clarify processes and support colleagues in your academic areas.
9. Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
10. Personally model the Values of the University, and in particular those in the Strategic Framework and Birmingham Professional.
11. Undertake any other duties as required from time-to-time by the Assistant Director/Post Award leadership team, Research Strategy & Services Division.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.