Scientific Project & Grant Manager

ABOUT THE JOB

An exciting opportunity to join our ‘Growing Kent & Medway’ team working with researchers and businesses across our region. You will be helping us make an impact through sustainable innovation support in the horticultural, food and drink industry.

We wish to appoint a Scientific Project & Grant Manager to join our ‘Growing Kent and Medway’ team. This crucial senior role will provide operational and management support for our business innovation cluster.

Led by NIAB, Growing Kent and Medway (GKM) is a world-class research, innovation and enterprise cluster supporting growth in technology-driven horticulture, fresh produce packaging, food and drink processing and its supply chains. GKM is a diverse and dynamic collaboration that brings together innovative growers and processors, scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs to deliver a shared goal of improving productivity and sustainability in the sector. GKM is funded through the UK Research & Innovation ‘Strength in Places‘ fund.  https://www.growingkentandmedway.com/

Using your experience of project or research grant management and stakeholder engagement, as Scientific Project & Growth Manager your duties include:
• Supporting the management, administration and reporting of projects and grants awarded through the GKM Programme.
• Supporting the technical development of new grant opportunities e.g. working with the GKM team to set up new funding calls for GKM grants including developing the grant funding processes and coordinating grant assessment panels.
• Monitoring and reporting the progress of projects and grants.
• Providing management support to GKM Board meetings.
• Working closely with colleagues to build and strengthen new business opportunities and service offerings.
• Establishing and maintaining effective lines of communication and influence with UK-based major funding organisations; and agricultural/horticultural/food/agri-tech industries nationally and internationally.

Informal enquires are welcome, please contact Nicola Harrison, GKM Programme Director,  [email protected]

Benefits include 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, flexible working, generous sick pay, attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking, an active social club and great colleagues.

Location
The role is based at East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ.  East Malling is three miles from junction four of the M20, with plenty of free on-site parking.  NIAB East Malling can easily be accessed by the London Victoria to Dover (via Ashford International) rail route via West Malling station.  Alternatively, exit the train at the East Malling station and take the short walk onto site.

Working hours

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday; part-time considered - minimum 30 hours; hybrid and flexible working considered

ABOUT YOU

Essential Requirements
Ideally you have:

• Experience of scientific project, research or grant management and administration.
• Experience of stakeholder communication and engagement
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Excellent project or grant management skills
• Degree in a relevant scientific discipline, business, economics or management or equivalent experience
• Full UK driving license or access to independent means of travelling, enabling you to travel regularly across the Kent and Medway region and to our Cambridge HQ.  Transport can be provided.

Desirable Requirements
Ideally you will also have:

• Experience in working in the horticultural and/or plant-based food sector
• Project and grant management qualifications

See full Job Description on our website for more details. 

ABOUT US

Growing Kent & Medway
Our unique geography means we are home to most of the UK’s high-value horticultural production, packaging and processing, and a major gateway to global markets. We are building on Kent and Medway’s established reputation and industry base to make this region one of the most dynamic, competitive and successful horticultural and Agri-tech locations in the world.

NIAB – Plant science into practice
With sites across the UK, NIAB is a dynamic, research led and market driven plant bioscience organisation, with an emphasis on innovative applications for end-users in the agricultural, horticultural and food sectors.  With over 100 years’ experience of technology evaluation and transfer, NIAB is spear-heading the advancement of plant genetic resources through research, technical services and training.

NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.  As a Disability Confident Employer we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.