POSITION DETAILS

School of Biosciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355
Grade: 6
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2027
Closing date: 28th May 2025

BACKGROUND

An exciting opportunity has become available in Professor Teresa Carlomagno’s research group. Her international group of highly motivated and interdisciplinary structural biologists is expanding and she is looking for a project manager in the area of structural biology, biochemistry and biophysics. You will manage collaborations in the frame of a large, externally-funded Leverhulme project worth ~£5m, lead the process of hiring researchers, manage procurement, organise outreach and dissemination events, contribute to grant writing by coordination and writing, support networking research activities, prepare materials for dissemination, facilitate research.
Our globally-operating research group is embedded in a vibrant community of world-renowned scientists in the fields of structural biology, RNA metabolism, genome biology, cancer research and microbiology. We believe in interdisciplinarity and we strive to integrate multiple approaches in our activities.
If you are motivated, well-organised, have excellent writing and communication skills and a background in biochemistry, you can’t miss this opportunity!
For more information on the lab, please visit: www.carlomagno-group.org

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications). Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required.
• Significant practical experience in a similar role, experience of using project management tools.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including the wider MS Office suite of programmes including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to understand policy, processes and procedures, but also to recommend improvements and implement changes.
• Excellent analytical skills used to produce reports, identify issues and resolve them decisively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. The post holder must inspire confidence and command authority with a range of colleagues and provide excellent customer service at all times.
• A high degree of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy, and the ability to exercise discretion regarding the handling and management of sensitive information/issues.
• A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a self-motivating approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation, and to develop a good understanding of how the University and higher education institutions work.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

CORE COMPETENCIES/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Project Officers will manage smaller projects in their entirety or manage elements of larger projects or assist in the management of one or more larger projects through the provision of well-developed and timely project management support. You will be expected to work proactively, and use your initiative and planning skills to set your own priorities to ensure progress is maintained as expected, identify any issue and propose solutions.

• To support Research Project delivery, Project Boards, workstreams and working groups within an overall project or manage elements of larger projects or smaller projects on your own.
• Support may include some or all of the following:
• carrying out project planning activities;
• identifying milestones which will need to be adhered to;
• data collection and analysis;
• manage procurement;
• manage hiring processes;
• milestone tracking/key performance indicator tracking;
• developing and proposing solutions for any issues;
• recommending improvements to project management;
• preparing progress reports for project boards or other meetings;
• assisting in budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting;
• assisting with stakeholder management, developing and maintaining regular contact with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements;
• assessing and escalating issues and risks as appropriate.
• Contribute to developing communications plans, presentations, and promoting the projects and outcomes of projects/workstreams.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Determine short term priorities for own work, ensuring you maximise quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Assist in the evaluation and review of projects.
• Contribute to grant writing by coordination and writing.
• You may be asked to manage other colleagues working on the project/s and this will include allocating work.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade

ROLE SUMMARY

You will either assist in the management of designated projects across a School, College or professional service area, or manage and deliver smaller projects or elements of projects, devising and delivering project plans. In order to flexibly use resource you may be asked to work elsewhere in the department or across the wider University.

MAIN DUTIES

Project Officers will manage smaller projects in their entirety or manage elements of larger projects or assist in the management of one or more larger projects through the provision of well-developed and timely project management support. You will be expected to work proactively, and use your initiative and planning skills to set your own priorities to ensure progress is maintained as expected, identify any issue and propose solutions.

• To support Research Project delivery, Project Boards, workstreams and working groups within an overall project or manage elements of larger projects or smaller projects on your own.
• Support may include some or all of the following:
• carrying out project planning activities;
• identifying milestones which will need to be adhered to;
• data collection and analysis;
• manage procurement;
• manage hiring processes;
• milestone tracking/key performance indicator tracking;
• developing and proposing solutions for any issues;
• recommending improvements to project management;
• preparing progress reports for project boards or other meetings;
• assisting in budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting;
• assisting with stakeholder management, developing and maintaining regular contact with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements;
• assessing and escalating issues and risks as appropriate.
• Contribute to developing communications plans, presentations, and promoting the projects and outcomes of projects/workstreams.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Determine short term priorities for own work, ensuring you maximise quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Assist in the evaluation and review of projects.
• Contribute to grant writing by coordination and writing.
• You may be asked to manage other colleagues working on the project/s and this will include allocating work.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

ROLE CONTEXT

Roles at this level will require expertise and a detailed understanding of methods, systems and procedures in an administrative or professional area. You will either use specialist knowledge or have more of a planning/co-ordination/project role or a role which is supervisory in nature where you may manage a team doing similar kinds of work. You will have the opportunity to exercise a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative which you will use to resolve queries; you will use your judgement to deal with unforeseen problems and circumstances, all with limited guidance/supervision.