Research Officer – English Native Speaker (f/m/d) (Research-Manager/in)

As part of the “Potenziale strategisch entfalten” initiative within zukunft.niedersachsen, a joint funding program of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) is receiving almost €20 million to further strengthen its research and innovation activities. The UMG2032 – Excellence through Focus project focuses on recruiting and establishing early-career research groups, as well as early-career postdoctoral positions. Moreover, the project supports measures to promote knowledge transfer, graduate training for medical students, the establishment of a Medical Career Center, and further specialization in securing funding from international third-party funding agencies.

The Research Management team of the UMG oversees all EU-funded and international research projects, providing comprehensive support from advising applicants and handling contract negotiations to monitoring approved projects. Additionally, we assist with applications for national grants. As part of our commitment to expanding UMG’s success in securing international funding, we are placing a particular focus on opportunities from the US and UK. To achieve this, we are creating a specialized position within our team to provide targeted support to UMG scientists, covering both the application process and project administration.

We are seeking an open-minded, native English-speaking professional to step into this exciting and impactful role.

Your Tasks

Providing independent advice and support to researchers throughout the application and management process for third-party-funded research projects, with a particular emphasis on complex international funding opportunities. This includes navigating the specific regulatory and legal frameworks of international funding bodies, thereby enhancing our capacity to secure international grants. Key responsibilities include:

- Analysis and assessment of application and funding requirements, with a focus on understanding and interpreting the intricate regulatory and legal frameworks essential for successfully securing and implementing projects funded by international bodies.
- Providing guidance and support to researchers in the preparation, design, and drafting of third-party funding applications, ensuring compliance with the specific requirements of the funding call (e.g., budgetary considerations, formalities, and alignment of project proposals with the objectives of the call).
- Conducting formal and substantive reviews of third-party funding applications to ensure compliance with both internal and external guidelines, and coordinating additional administrative processes in collaboration with relevant UMG administrative departments.
- Providing support for ongoing internationally funded projects, including tasks such as contract negotiations and preparation, amendment requests, compliance monitoring, and financial or scientific reporting. Support for ongoing internationally projects (e.g. contract preparations, amendment requests, reporting)
- Offering target-group-specific information and organizing events or workshops on international research funding opportunities and best practices.
- Contributing to the strategic development of the Research Management Office, including identifying and addressing key challenges in handling complex international funding schemes and increasing UMG's competitiveness in securing international grants.

This role requires a deep understanding of the regulatory, legal and administrative landscape of international funders, with a focus on translating these complexities into actionable guidance and strategic opportunities for our researchers. By bridging the gap between funding bodies requirements and researchers needs, you will play a key role in expanding UMG’s potential to successfully acquire and manage international research grants.

To support your success in this role, we highly encourage further professional development, including certification as a Research Administrator (e.g., through the Research Administrators Certification Council), to deepen your expertise in international grant management and funding processes.

Your qualifications

- Native English speaker
- A completed academic degree (Master’s or equivalent)
- Experience in academic management or in the administration of third-party-funded collaborative projects is an advantage
- Strong knowledge of international funding landscape, particularly in the US or UK, ideally supported by certified further training (e.g. Certified Pre-Award Administrator (CPRA®) or Research Admin (CPA®))
- Basic understanding of interdisciplinary topics relevant to grant applications, such as research data management, open science, diversity/equality and the promotion of early-career researchers
- Effective communication skills in German, written and spoken (minimum B1 level)
- A high level of initiative, organizational skills and reliability under time pressure, combined with strong teamwork and flexibility

We offer

- Good working conditions within a dedicated and motivated team
- A varied role in an international environment
- Health and fitness supported by an excellent workplace health management program
- A comprehensive range of training and development opportunities (see also above)
- Remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector in the federal states (TV-L), including public sector social benefits and supplementary pension provision

Application deadline is Sunday, 18th October 2026 before the end of the day. Informal inquires can be directed to Dr. Uschi Hübner ([email protected]), Head of Research Management.