Research Finance Manager

Research Finance Manager

Grade: UE08

Salary: £50,253 to £61,759 per annum

Corporate Services Group / Edinburgh Research Office

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Contract: Open-ended (permanent)

Colleagues in Edinburgh Research Office work in partnership with researchers to develop and deliver world-leading research. We work across the research lifecycle – growing ideas into proposals, projects and impact. We are enablers and connectors, networked across the University, able to provide the best advice to researchers and research leaders in all disciplines. We are part of a wider ecosystem of over 300 colleagues providing research support across the University of Edinburgh – linking through our Schools, Colleges and Service Groups.

The Opportunity

We are seeking colleagues who will embody our values of expertise, community, integrity and collaboration.

The Research Grants Team work closely with the University of Edinburgh research and professional service communities, partners and funders, to maximise the research academic colleagues can undertake for the funding they receive. Our expert team delivers financial management and post award administration of the University's 3,500 research grants.

We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional individual to join our close-knit, expert team as a Research Finance Manager in delivering financial management and post award administration of the University's research grants.

You will embrace leading two teams: the European Union and International funded teams. You will lead these teams in the management of their busy and complex portfolios to ensure academic and research support colleagues can deliver their research in accordance with funder terms and conditions to enable full recovery of research expenditure. There will be opportunities to expand into other expert areas of research grants management.

This position is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to further develop a career in University professional services, in a department with a proven commitment to training and staff development.

Please apply with:

• a CV and

• a cover letter explaining how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required, and

• your motivation for applying for this post.

The successful candidate will:

• be a qualified accountant or actively studying towards qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent)
• have substantial experience of management staff within a complex financial administration function
• be passionate about using finance as an enabler to support colleagues in their goals
• be confident working in a rapidly changing and deadline driven environment, where planning, communication and organisational skills are key
  experience of European Commission grant funding and currency projects is desirable

Click to view a copy of the full job description .

Development Opportunities

Edinburgh Research Office is a supportive and encouraging environment for those new to research professional services and those wishing to further develop their University professional service careers. We have a longstanding commitment to training and staff development and a great track record of internal promotions for ambitious colleagues. We actively encourage all colleagues in ERO to think about their development in role. We encourage applicants to think not just about their suitability now, but how they might grow in the role in the future.

Please apply with a CV and a supporting statement explaining how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required, and your motivation for applying for this post.

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is an exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent and reward success. You will benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, which includes a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme , staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, flexible working and much more. Click to access our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided. The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. The University offers hybrid working; in Edinburgh Research Office we expect colleagues to be on campus for a minimum of team anchor days, team meetings, all-ERO meetings and other in-person meetings and events required in your role.

Edinburgh Research Office

Working in Edinburgh Research Office you will be part of a professional, supportive, and friendly team ; at the heart of University research support, working in collaboration with academics and research support professionals across the institution. The breadth of our remit means you will get an overview of research support activity while you build your skills in your specialism. Gaining new knowledge and skills to help you develop in this role and progress in your career is a priority. We offer colleagues a stimulating working environment based on our values of integrity, expertise, community, and collaboration. Our work is fast-paced and intense; you will thrive here if you are motivated, collaborative, and passionate about providing an excellent service to enable our researchers to do amazing work.

The Research Operations Directorate is responsible for delivery of a high quality, integrated, user-focused and resilient service which covers applications, contracting and awards. We provide the research operations services that underpin the University Research and Innovation Strategy and associated growth plans.

The Research Grants Team is responsible for ensuring the effective recovery of research income from funders and partners. Our work is predominately deadline driven, and fast paced. Working in the Research Grants Team, you can expect to support the maximisation of research income through ensuring compliance with funder terms and conditions and completing of financial reporting. You will work directly with University of Edinburgh research and professional service communities, as well as external stakeholders.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 3 December 2025

If invited for interview you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages .

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.