Research Officer

Post: Research Officer
Line manager: Head of Research Development and Management
Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: £38,633
Application deadline: 01 February 2026

Role summary

The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally renowned centre for advanced research in art history, conservation and curating, and home to a major public gallery. Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, The Courtauld works to increase understanding of the role played by art throughout history, in all societies and across all geographies.

The Courtauld is seeking a Research Officer to support the running of research processes and support. You will be the first point of contact for queries relating to research processes at The Courtauld. You will be a dynamic and proactive administrator, with a belief in shaping an innovative, ambitious, and inclusive research culture. Working within a small and energetic Research Office and with researchers across art history, conservation, curating, and art business, you will provide administrative and organisational support for activities and initiatives related to individual and collaborative research, grant capture, researcher training and development, and research assessment, including REF.

Key responsibilities

The range of responsibilities and duties of this role will include the following, although priorities may change in line with the development of the role and other duties may be allocated from time to time.

Research administration

1. To provide general administrative support as needed to the Head of Research Development and Management, the Dean for Research and wider Research Office team, including, assisting with diary management where needed.
2. Act as the first point of contact for the department via the department inbox, responding to and triaging enquiries for the team as necessary.
3. To assist the Head of Research Development and Management, the Dean for Research and wider Research Office team across areas of research planning, including maintaining and reviewing internal research policies and procedures, and administrative support and data collection for REF and other research evaluation mechanisms as needed.
4. Process research expenses in line with relevant internal policies and grant terms and conditions for external funding.
5. To act as Research Committee, the REF Working Group and any other strategic research working groups, including liaising with chairs to compile agendas, collating papers, taking minutes and following up actions.
6. To maintain accurate records of existing research staff, including staff lists and e-mail distribution lists.
7. To support the Head of Research Development and Management with the annual budget process, including core budget and forecasting of research grant expenditure.
8. To manage own workload and maintain and support continuous improvement of departmental workflows.
9. To support members of the Research Office team to monitor and gather sector data and intelligence on the national research landscape, and the preparation of internal reports for senior management.

Research grant support

10. To run internal processes for recurring internal and external grant schemes, including setting internal deadlines in discussion with the Head of Research Development and Management, circulating calls for expressions of interest, and scheduling panel meetings.
11. Maintain records of research bid documentation, outcomes, and reporting.
12. Provide pre-award support of research grant applications, including coordinating costings and internal review and approval processes.
13. Ensure that accurate documentation of ethics approval, due diligence, risk assessment, data management, and other relevant checks is completed and maintained, keeping a checklist of all required procedures.
14. Provide administrative support for research grant management and post-award reporting, including establishing budget trackers and setting and supporting regular review meetings with project leads and Courtauld Finance.
15. To assist the Head of Research Development and Management, project leads and heads of academic departments with HR-related tasks associated with research grants.

Research culture and communications

16. Manage internal research communications, including composing and sending information emails and updating the internal Research Hub.
17. Ensuring research pages on the Courtauld website are up to date, including ensuring compliance with national requirements for publication of research policies, annual research integrity statements, and any other reporting requirements related to research concordats.
18. In consultation with the Research Forum Digital Manager and the Marketing teams, provide research-related content for externally-facing online and print materials, including the Courtauld Annual Report, social media, and website.
19. Identify and coordinate researcher training and development and provide administrative and coordination support research culture initiatives.

General

20. Maintain an awareness of sector contexts via membership of relevant professional bodies and participation in professional events and training as deemed relevant in discussion with the Head of Research Development and Management.
21. To act in accordance with all Courtauld policies and procedures including Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety, at all times.
22. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with the level of this role, as required.