Grants Development Manager

Rothamsted Research Ltd.; St Albans; On-site; GBP 35,000 - GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural research institute in England is seeking a proactive Grants Development Manager to facilitate funding applications from various sources. The ideal candidate will support pre‑award processes, identify funding opportunities, and collaborate with research teams. This fixed-term role offers a competitive salary and generous benefits. You will play a vital role in securing the funding necessary for groundbreaking agricultural research.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in research funding processes and pre‑award grant administration.
• A track record of helping to develop successful grant applications.
• The confidence to engage scientists, senior leaders and external stakeholders alike.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist pre‑award guidance, including project costing and strategic advice.
• Identify high‑value and strategically aligned funding opportunities.
• Support the development and submission of competitive bids.

Skills

Research funding processes

Grant application development

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

At Rothamsted, we’re working to drive world‑leading agricultural research—and securing the funding to make that possible. We are looking for a proactive, collaborative Grants Development Manager to help our scientists win diverse and ambitious funding from UK and international agencies, foundations, trusts and industry partners.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in enabling research that tackles some of the most pressing agricultural and environmental challenges of our time.

What you’ll do

In this key role, you will be the go‑to expert for pre‑award support across the institute. You will:

• Provide specialist pre‑award guidance, including project costing, editorial support and strategic advice to applicants, Team Leads and Science Directors.
• Proactively scan the funding landscape, identifying high‑value and strategically aligned opportunities for research teams.
• Support the development and submission of competitive bids, ensuring proposals are high‑quality, compelling and fully compliant with funder requirements.
• Expand our funding horizons by helping colleagues explore innovative and non‑traditional income sources.
• Build strong relationships with external funders, strengthening Rothamsted’s strategic presence and engagement.
• Collaborate closely with scientific teams and support services, working within the Finance team and reporting to the Head of Research Grants.

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Experience in research funding processes and pre‑award grant administration.
• A track record of helping to develop successful grant applications.
• The confidence to engage scientists, senior leaders and external stakeholders alike.

Grants Development Manager

At Rothamsted, we’re working to drive world‑leading agricultural research—and securing the funding to make that possible. We are looking for a proactive, collaborative Grants Development Manager to help our scientists win diverse and ambitious funding from UK and international agencies, foundations, trusts and industry partners.

What you’ll do

In this key role, you will be the go‑to expert for pre‑award support across the institute. You will:

• Provide specialist pre‑award guidance, including project costing, editorial support and strategic advice to applicants, Team Leads and Science Directors.
• Proactively scan the funding landscape, identifying high‑value and strategically aligned opportunities for research teams.
• Support the development and submission of competitive bids, ensuring proposals are high‑quality, compelling and fully compliant with funder requirements.
• Expand our funding horizons by helping colleagues explore innovative and non‑traditional income sources.
• Build strong relationships with external funders, strengthening Rothamsted’s strategic presence and engagement.
• Collaborate closely with scientific teams and support services, working within the Finance team and reporting to the Head of Research Grants.

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Experience in research funding processes and pre‑award grant administration.
• A track record of helping to develop successful grant applications.
• The confidence to engage scientists, senior leaders and external stakeholders alike.

Do you have outstanding organisational skills? A ttention to detail? Do you possess excellent communication skills?

If you thrive in a dynamic, mission‑driven environment—and you’re excited by the prospect of helping world‑class scientists secure world‑changing funding—we’d love to hear from you.

Fixed-term (to 30th March 2028) | Salary up to £41,438 per annum (DOE)

About The Company

Established in 1843, Rothamsted Research is one of the UK’s leading Research Institutes delivering world class agricultural science. Our commitment to learning and development, equality, diversity and inclusion and flexibility in working arrangements creates a positive work life balance and enables a welcoming environment for all prospective employees.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. If this is required, please contact us. Applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or age are welcomed, providing the required criteria is met.

We have an attractive benefits package including 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities.