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Senior Finance Assistant

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University of Cambridge

Cambridge

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Senior Finance Assistant

Assistant staff

26 May 2026

Location

Cambridge

University of Cambridge

Type

Staff / Administration

Salary

£33,951 - £39,906

Required Qualifications

Financial analysis
Cost recovery
Pricing structures
Invoicing & cross-charging
Compliance & audit readiness
PPMS administration
Strong communication

Research Areas

Cancer research
Core facilities
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Senior Finance Assistant

Senior Finance Assistant

Join us at the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. We're a unique department of the University of Cambridge, core funded by Cancer Research UK's charitable activities, and we're eagerly searching for our new Senior Finance Assistant.

The main purpose of this role is to maximise cost recovery across 11 Core Facilities, ensuring long term financial sustainability while supporting cutting edge scientific research. Working at the heart of the Institute, you'll apply expert financial insight to pricing, invoicing, and compliance. Balancing funder requirements with accessible, transparently costed services for researchers. Your work will directly support a sustainable, high quality research environment for groups across the Institute.

You'll lead on cost recovery and financial analysis for the portfolio of core facilities you are responsible for, developing and maintaining robust pricing structures that recover direct and indirect costs wherever permitted. From analysing monthly financial data and producing clear, concise reports, spotting and fixing issues to managing cross charging and grant specific spend, your work will directly influence budget control and strategic planning. You'll also oversee accurate invoicing for internal and external users, ensuring timely income recovery and resolving queries with confidence.

In addition, you'll play a key role in audit readiness – interpreting complex funder terms, and providing clear, defensible documentation. As a joint administrator for PPMS, you'll train and support users, troubleshoot problems, and help improve processes as systems and ways of working evolve. Collaborating closely with core facility managers, researchers along with finance and grants colleagues, you'll combine technical expertise with strong communication skills to drive efficiency, compliance, and financial resilience across the Institute.

If you are our successful candidate, you will benefit from the support of an experienced team who will be fully invested in your success and professional development.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role on the online Application form.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 26/05/2026
The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference SW49544 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Apply online

Key information

Department/location

Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Salary

£33,951-£39,906

Reference

SW49544

Category

Assistant staff

Date published

28 April 2026

Closing date

26 May 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

📊What are the main responsibilities of the Senior Finance Assistant?

The role focuses on maximising cost recovery across 11 Core Facilities at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. Key duties include developing pricing structures, conducting financial analysis, managing invoicing and cross-charging, ensuring audit readiness, and administering PPMS systems. You'll collaborate with facility managers and researchers to support budget control and financial sustainability. Explore more administration jobs or research jobs for similar roles.

🎓What qualifications and skills are required?

Expert financial insight is essential, including experience in cost recovery, financial reporting, grant compliance, and invoicing. Strong communication skills for collaborating with researchers and finance teams are key, along with proficiency in systems like PPMS. No specific degrees listed, but financial expertise in research environments is ideal. Check higher ed career advice for building these skills.

📝How do I apply for this Senior Finance Assistant position?

Click 'Apply' to register on the University of Cambridge recruitment system. Outline how you match the criteria and why you're applying in the form. Include referee details (one current line manager). Quote reference SW49544. Closing date: 26 May 2026. Interviews TBC. Prepare with our free resume template and cover letter template.

💰What is the salary and are there benefits?

Salary range: £33,951 - £39,906. Benefits include support from an experienced team for professional development, and a high-quality research environment at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. Post-offer: basic disclosure check, health assessment, security check. View university salaries for comparisons.

🌍Does this role offer visa sponsorship?

No visa sponsorship mentioned. The University of Cambridge requires all employees to be eligible to live and work in the UK. Ensure right-to-work status before applying. See higher ed jobs in Cambridge for local opportunities.

⚙️What is PPMS and my role with it?

PPMS is a system for managing core facility services. As joint administrator, you'll train users, troubleshoot issues, and improve processes. This supports scientific research billing and compliance at the Institute. Learn more via research assistant jobs insights.
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