Strategic Bids Coordination Lead
Posted 13 days 2 hours ago by The John Innes Centre
Permanent
Full Time
Academic Jobs
Norfolk, Norwich, United Kingdom, NR1 1
Job Description
Hours per week 37 Expected/Ideal Start Date 28 Sep 2026 Months Duration 24 Flexible Options Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
Job Description Main Purpose of the Job An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Bids Coordination Lead to join the Directorate, supporting the development and delivery of high-value, strategically important research funding opportunities at the John Innes Centre. The post holder will play a critical role in shaping, developing, and delivering large-scale, complex, and collaborative bids, working at the interface between JIC science, external partners, and the NBIP Research Grants & Contracts team. The role will focus on identifying strategic funding opportunities, supporting the development of competitive bids and partnerships, and strengthening the Institute's position within an evolving and increasingly collaborative funding landscape. Working closely with the Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture, Group Leaders, and key stakeholders, the post holder will provide in-depth, high-level support to a focused portfolio of strategic bids. This will include drafting and refining scientific narratives, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring alignment with funder priorities and Institute strategy. In addition, the role will contribute to horizon scanning, external engagement, and partnership development, enabling the Institute to proactively position itself for future funding opportunities and maximise success in competitive environments.
Key Relationships Key Relationships:
Person Profile Education & Qualifications Requirement Importance Degree in biological sciences or related field Essential PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills Requirement Importance Strong scientific expertise aligned to plant and microbial sciences Essential Deep understanding of UKRI/BBSRC and wider research funding landscape Essential Excellent writing and editing skills, particularly for scientific and strategic content Essential Strong facilitation skills to support workshops, partnerships and bid development Essential Ability to interpret funder priorities and shape competitive proposals - Essential Essential
Requirement Importance Significant experience in a research-intensive or academic environment Essential Experience developing or supporting large, complex or collaborative funding proposals Essential Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and external partners Essential Experience engaging with funding bodies or contributing to funding strategy Essential Project management experience in complex environments Desirable Experience of working in a funding organisation Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills Requirement Importance Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and external partners Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels Essential Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships Essential Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement Essential High level of self-motivation and ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment Essential
Additional Requirements Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately Essential Ability to represent the Institute professionally and contribute to its reputation Essential Comfortable working flexibly and responding to changing priorities Essential
Who We Are The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.
Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.
We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on (0) or .
We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award , recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion's programme , a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).
Strategic Bids Coordination Lead
Salary: £47,450 to £52,560 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract: 2 years, full time with part time options considered.
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 9 August 2026
Reference:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Bids Coordination Lead to join the Directorate, supporting the development and delivery of high-value, strategically important research funding opportunities at the John Innes Centre.
About the John Innes Centre:
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet . click apply for full job details
Job Description Main Purpose of the Job An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Bids Coordination Lead to join the Directorate, supporting the development and delivery of high-value, strategically important research funding opportunities at the John Innes Centre. The post holder will play a critical role in shaping, developing, and delivering large-scale, complex, and collaborative bids, working at the interface between JIC science, external partners, and the NBIP Research Grants & Contracts team. The role will focus on identifying strategic funding opportunities, supporting the development of competitive bids and partnerships, and strengthening the Institute's position within an evolving and increasingly collaborative funding landscape. Working closely with the Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture, Group Leaders, and key stakeholders, the post holder will provide in-depth, high-level support to a focused portfolio of strategic bids. This will include drafting and refining scientific narratives, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring alignment with funder priorities and Institute strategy. In addition, the role will contribute to horizon scanning, external engagement, and partnership development, enabling the Institute to proactively position itself for future funding opportunities and maximise success in competitive environments.
Key Relationships Key Relationships:
- Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture
- Research Grants Coordination Lead
- Specific Group Leaders and research teams leading strategic bids
- NBIP Research Grants & Contracts team
- NBIP Finance team
- Wider Directorate leadership including Chief Operating Officer, KEC, Policy and Strategic Engagement teams
- External stakeholders including funding bodies, industry partners and collaborators.
- Lead or significantly contributes to drafting and editing of scientific case statements, impact sections and strategic narratives, working with specific groups of Group Leaders.
- Identify, scope and support the development of high-value, complex, and multi-partner funding opportunities that support delivery of JIC science strategy.
- Work intensively with a focused subset(s) of Group Leaders to develop ambitious, long-term funding proposals.
- Facilitate bid development activities including concept development workshops, partner engagement and project scoping.
- Ensure strong alignment between proposals, funder priorities and Institute strategic goals.
- Provide expert advice to improve the quality, competitiveness and clarity of proposals.
- Coordinate input from multiple internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and high-quality submissions
- Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders including funders, collaborators, industry partners and policy organisations.
- Support the formation of strategic partnerships and consortia for large-scale bids.
- Represent the Institute at relevant funder meetings, workshops and engagement events.
- Facilitate connections between JIC researchers and external partners to support collaborative opportunities.
- Contribute to positioning the Institute within emerging funding landscapes and partnership models.
- Monitor and interpret developments in funding landscapes, particularly UKRI/BBSRC and related funders in collaboration with Research Coordination Lead.
- Analyse funder strategies, policies and priorities to identify future opportunities
- Provide strategic intelligence to inform institutional decision-making and bid development.
- Develop insight into the competitive landscape, including partner mapping and benchmarking.
- Translate intelligence into actionable advice for researchers and senior stakeholders.
- Support the integration of Research Culture principles within strategic bids, including EDI, FAIR data, Trusted Research and Innovation (TRI) and research integrity.
- Contribute to training and guidance for researchers on strategic bidding, collaboration and funder expectations.
- Support delivery of workshops and activities aimed at strengthening institutional capability in large-scale funding.
- Support the Research Grants Coordination Lead with performance monitoring by contributing to evaluation of strategic bid outcomes, capturing lessons learned and areas for improvement.
- Provide feedback and insights to inform institutional strategy and funding priorities
- Support continuous improvement of processes relating to strategic bid development
Person Profile Education & Qualifications Requirement Importance Degree in biological sciences or related field Essential PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills Requirement Importance Strong scientific expertise aligned to plant and microbial sciences Essential Deep understanding of UKRI/BBSRC and wider research funding landscape Essential Excellent writing and editing skills, particularly for scientific and strategic content Essential Strong facilitation skills to support workshops, partnerships and bid development Essential Ability to interpret funder priorities and shape competitive proposals - Essential Essential
Requirement Importance Significant experience in a research-intensive or academic environment Essential Experience developing or supporting large, complex or collaborative funding proposals Essential Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and external partners Essential Experience engaging with funding bodies or contributing to funding strategy Essential Project management experience in complex environments Desirable Experience of working in a funding organisation Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills Requirement Importance Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and external partners Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels Essential Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and sustain effective working relationships Essential Ability to work independently, using initiative and sound judgement Essential High level of self-motivation and ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment Essential
Additional Requirements Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately Essential Ability to represent the Institute professionally and contribute to its reputation Essential Comfortable working flexibly and responding to changing priorities Essential
Who We Are The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.
Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.
We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on (0) or .
We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award , recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion's programme , a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).
Strategic Bids Coordination Lead
Salary: £47,450 to £52,560 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract: 2 years, full time with part time options considered.
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 9 August 2026
Reference:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Strategic Bids Coordination Lead to join the Directorate, supporting the development and delivery of high-value, strategically important research funding opportunities at the John Innes Centre.
About the John Innes Centre:
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet . click apply for full job details