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.


 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Strategic bid development and delivery 
• 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

50

External Engagement and Partnership Development 
• 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.

20

Horizon Scanning 
• 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.

15

Research Culture and Training 
• 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.

10

Performance Monitoring 
• 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

5

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

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

Relevant Experience

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

John Innes Centre

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.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

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 +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

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).

Department

Directorate

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Strategic Bids Coordination Lead
Salary:            £47,450 to £52,560 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        2 years, full time or part time.
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 9 August 2026
Reference:     1006145

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, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

The role:

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.

The ideal candidate:

You will have a degree in biological sciences or related field as well as a PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable experience.

You will have strong scientific expertise aligned to plant and microbial sciences and a deep understanding of UKRI/BBSRC and wider research funding landscape. You will also have significant experience in a research-intensive or academic environment, skills in developing or supporting large, complex or collaborative funding proposals and the ability to engage confidently with funding bodies or contributing to funding strategy.

Additional information:

We welcome applications from candidates seeking job-share, part-time or other flexible working arrangements.

Interviews will be held mid to late August.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.