Imperial College London
Research Development Manager
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Job ref: PRO01446 Salary: £59,808 - £71,793 per annum Closing date: 29 Sept 2026
About the role
Imperial College London is looking for an experienced Research Development Manager to join our newly established Research Strategy Team.
This role will focus on supporting researchers to develop ambitious, multidisciplinary funding proposals, particularly for European funding programmes and international collaborative opportunities. Working closely with academic colleagues, professional services teams and external partners, you will help identify funding opportunities, build research consortia and support the development of competitive funding applications.
The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of the European research funding landscape, experience of developing large-scale proposals, and a collaborative approach to working across disciplines and organisations.
About the Research Strategy Team
Imperial has recently established a new Research Strategy Team reporting to the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) to strengthen the University's approach to research development and strategic funding.
The team works across the institution to identify emerging opportunities, support major funding bids, strengthen relationships with funders and research partners, and help ensure Imperial is well positioned to respond to changes in the UK and international research landscape.
Our work focuses on:
- Identifying emerging funding opportunities and helping Imperial prepare for them.
- Supporting the development of large, interdisciplinary research proposals.
- Building relationships with funders, research organisations and strategic partners.
- Supporting institutional funding schemes and strategic research initiatives.
- Providing insight into funding policy and helping shape institutional responses to new developments.
This is an opportunity to join a growing team at an early stage and help develop new approaches to research development across the University.
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What you would be doing
You will provide strategic and practical support for the development of major research applications, with a particular focus on European funding programmes, including Horizon Europe and its successor schemes.
Working across Faculties and departments, you will bring together relevant expertise, identify potential collaborators and support academics throughout the proposal development process. You will also play an important role in helping Imperial strengthen its engagement with European and international partners.
Key responsibilities
- Identifying and communicating European and international funding opportunities relevant to Imperial's research priorities.
- Supporting the development of large, complex and multidisciplinary funding applications.
- Advising academic teams on European funding schemes, programme requirements and application processes.
- Helping to establish and coordinate international research consortia.
- Building relationships with European universities, research organisations, funders and other strategic partners.
- Planning and facilitating workshops, networking events and bid development meetings.
- Supporting proposal drafting, editing, review and quality assurance processes.
- Working with colleagues across Imperial to identify research strengths and develop competitive funding propositions.
- Contributing to training, guidance and knowledge-sharing activities relating to European funding.
- Supporting wider institutional research development activities where required.
What we are looking for
You will have:
- Experience supporting or managing the development of research funding applications.
- Strong knowledge of European research funding programmes, particularly Horizon Europe.
- Experience working within a research-intensive university, research organisation or funding body.
- An understanding of the wider UK, European and international funding landscape.
- Excellent written communication skills and the ability to develop clear, persuasive funding applications.
- Strong organisational and project management skills.
- Experience working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a complex environment.
- A collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving.
- An undergraduate degree (or equivalent experience) is essential. A postgraduate qualification or substantial professional experience in research development would be advantageous.
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What we can offer you
Imperial is consistently recognised as one of the world's leading universities for science, engineering, medicine and business. You will work alongside internationally recognised researchers and play a direct role in helping secure funding that enables new discoveries, collaborations and societal impact. This role offers the opportunity to influence major research initiatives, build extensive networks across the European research community and contribute to the success of a newly established strategic team. Join us and help shape the next generation of research at Imperial College London.
- Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
- Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
- Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Further information
This role is full-time, open-ended. For informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact: Emily Roche - e.roche@imperial.ac.uk
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