Post Award Finance and Project Officer

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on

Job Description - Post Award Finance and Project Officer ()

Post Award Finance and Project Officer Job Number:

Research and Innovation Services

Fixed Term - Full Time

Working Arrangements: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Closing Date 18-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands on support for all aspects of research and research related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

We are seeking a Post Award Finance and Project Officer to join our Post Award Team within Research Operations to support a colleague's maternity leave. You will deliver comprehensive post award financial and administrative support, ensuring that project leaders and researchers receive timely, expert advice. Your responsibilities will span the full grant lifecycle, from award acceptance and project set up, through financial monitoring and budget management, to final claims, reconciliation, project closure, and preparation for both internal and external audits.

Stakeholder engagement is at the core of this role. You will act as the primary point of contact for internal and external partners, facilitating clear communication and effective coordination across departments and funding bodies. You will also regularly review project budgets, income, and expenditure to maintain accuracy and to identify and address any significant variances such as under or overspending, ineligible costs, or issues with overhead recovery.

• Manage the post award financial administration of non research grants, ensuring accurate and timely closure.
• Prepare and submit financial claims, invoices, and statements in line with funder and institutional deadlines.
• Monitor budgets, income, and expenditure, identifying and resolving variances, and providing financial forecasts to project leads.
• Reconcile project accounts, process final expenditure and exchange rate journals, and ensure accurate allocation of income.
• Ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions, advising stakeholders on eligible expenditure and removing ineligible costs.
• Coordinate staff approvals with HR, ensuring alignment with project budgets and funder requirements.
• Calculate and transfer fEC overheads/indirect costs in accordance with approved budgets.
• Liaise with internal teams (Finance, HR, Departments) and external stakeholders (funders, HEIs, partners) to resolve queries.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records and ensure financial systems reflect final approved expenditure.

Working pattern: Monday - Friday. Hybrid 2 days in the office. You can work additional days in the office if you choose.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House - Durham University.

Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You'll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24 7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5 16.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply / Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Qualifications/Experience

• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post 16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Demonstratable experience in university or comparable finance management process.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and implement business processes.
• Experience of working within a post award role within a Higher Education Institute.
. click apply for full job details