Research Portfolio Manager
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
To provide comprehensive high-level and professional research and administrative support to academic research teams across the College of MVLS. This role will involve supporting the Principal Investigator (PI) and their research groups from all disciplines to ensure the effective and efficient operational delivery of a portfolio of research projects working with their internal and external collaborators. You will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management and coordination of the research group and projects, providing project and budget management across the portfolio.
Main duties & responsibilities
- Take a leading role in engaging regularly with a small portfolio of academic leads and their research groups to ensure the integrated streamline management of their portfolios and delivery of objectives and outputs of the research programmes associated with each group.
- To lead and have oversight and management of the multiple research projects within the portfolio providing comprehensive portfolio management support to Principal Investigators including (but not limited to) planning and monitoring of progress against targets for delivery of outputs and outcomes, financial management, reporting and co-ordination of academic and industrial partners.
- Play a leading role at a senior level for aspects of financial management of budgets for all grants awarded to the PIs from a range of funding sources (including funding from UKRI, charities, industry); (e.g. monitoring spending and maximising return for all funding and taking remedial action should budget limits be exceeded, assessing personnel, equipment and other resource requirements, liaising with the Research Management teams as required to discuss new and existing budgets and posts within the group, and reviewing projected costs for the preparation of future grant applications.
- Contribute to the direction of the multiple research programmes, drawing on specialist research knowledge and experience to inform and formulate strategy to integrate and progress the aims of the various funding streams underpinning the groups.
- Provide expert research input into collaborations within the department and with colleagues and contribute to supervision of postgraduate research students within the group as required.
- Contribute towards the development of external funding applications to external funders by providing specialist bid writing support to academic leads to enhance the quality and strengthen the chance of each application being successful and to seek opportunities to include Portfolio Management time on future grant applications to build on self-sustaining the post into the future.
- Provide project management advice and expertise to senior managers as required, to assist in the implementation of strategic projects.
- Play a lead role to ensure the smooth running of projects by building relationships and maintaining effective communication (written and oral) with key internal and external stakeholders.
- Represent the PI and wider research group as required: participating in departmental meetings, liaising with all stakeholders in MVLS and University support including Research Management, Finance, and Biological Services, and with external stakeholders.
- To proactively engage and develop working partnerships with colleagues across College and University Services as required.
- Undertake any other relevant duties as directed by the Principal Investigators.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential
- Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent in a subject discipline relevant to the College of MVLS.
- Excellent knowledge of project management techniques and methodology.
- Have an understanding of the research concepts of the project to a level which permits informed decision making.
- Knowledge and working understanding of the Higher Education sector, ideally including medical, veterinary and life sciences.
Desirable
- Professional qualification in a relevant subject area.
- A working knowledge of university policies and procedures, specifically understanding of the contractual, legal and financial matters in relation to research contracts, and collaborative agreements.
- Knowledge of laboratory quality systems and procedures.
- Home Office ASPA Personal Licence
Skills
Essential
- Strong leadership and management abilities.
- Writing/editing of multi partner, complex research proposals or equivalent
- Demonstrable high-level communication skills
- Structured approach to project management including regular and robust reporting.
- Highly numerate with strong financial management skills.
- Ability to analyse complex situations and out of which create simple clear processes.
- Ability to multitask, work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.
- Excellent negotiating skills combined with relationship building skills at organisational and senior levels.
- Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining principles of partnership and meet challenging deadlines.
- Proven ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems
- Ability to work across a range of collaborating organisations from academia, the NHS or other public bodies, and / or commercial companies.
- Ability to work on own initiative, establish priorities and to multi-task to deadlines.
- Ability to lead, influence and motivate teams.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Desirable
- IT literate.
Experience
Essential
- Project management in complex environments involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience of managing and monitoring budgets and resources and preparing and presenting financial management reports.
- Experience of providing high calibre operational management within a complex multi- stakeholder high profile context
- Engaging and working with professional project teams and ensuring delivery of projects to achieve key targets
Desirable
- Experience of Higher Education environment and supporting the work of academics.
- Evidence of planning, managing, and delivering large complex projects.
- Experience of liaising with major funders.
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 3rd December 2024.
Informal enquires can be directed to contact Donna Lammie, Donna.Lammie@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £49,250 - £56,921 per annum.
This post is full time and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules.
For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
A flexible approach to working.
A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability