Research Support Officer

We are looking for a highly organised and skilled individual to join our Research Support team. The Research Support Team facilitates the acquisition and delivery of science research projects by supporting and administering tenders and contracts, and by providing a project management system which is used to manage all project-based science work, including work funded by grants and donations. You will be responsible for the core functions listed below and have a high level of autonomy. The successful candidate should be able to read and review/compare lengthy contract documentation and will have previous experience in writing/reading contracts/proposals. 1. Identify and coordinate responses to suitable advertised research funding opportunities, liaising with appropriate operational staff. 2. Maximise the chances of success and of an appropriate financial return for proposals by providing templates, supporting documentation and guidance to proposal leads; checking the accuracy and completeness of costings; checking compliance with tender requirements; ensuring timely submission to funder. 3. Ensure that appropriate contractual project documentation is completed and signed off, liaising with funders, staff and subcontractors as necessary. 4. Claim monies receivable, and authorise monies payable, in accordance with contractual provisions. 5. Facilitate the resourcing, management, QA and accounting of project delivery by using and contributing to the development of the project management systems. 6. Promote and support the development of BTO governance, compliance and QA policies relevant to research contracts. This position is based at our HQ in Thetford, Norfolk, although you will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime.

• £33,615 per annum
• Annual Leave: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with service to 26 days after 5 years, 28 days after 10 years, and 30 days after 15 years (pro rata for part-time staff).
• Paid 'journey days' (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
• Annual team away days
• Life assurance (four times salary)
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a number of free counselling sessions.
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay. Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.
• Health cash plan which enables staff to claim back some healthcare expenses, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and specialist diagnostic tests. It also offers: Discounts on gym memberships and various retailers, a virtual GP and prescription service, on-demand wellness content (fitness, yoga,meditation, sleep, mindfulness) and access to Health Lens, Eargym, and digital physiotherapy via Phio.
• Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
• Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money
• Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (15% off)
• Free access to BTO training courses
• Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish times (where this meets business needs)
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, Neurodiversity group, LGBTQ+ group and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Commitment to sustainability