What is research administration and support?

Behind every successful research project is a network of skilled professionals who keep the operations running smoothly. Administative and support roles in research are professional positin within academic and research-intensive institutions that enable research by providing expertise in administration, strategic direction, grant/financial management, communications, and more.

While some positions focus on facilitating day-to-day operations, others provide broader strategic, technical, or procedual support, with many roles blending all responsibilities. Accross all types, administrative and support professionals play and essential part in sustaining productive research environments.

Explore Administrative & Support Roles

Discover that is means to work in research administration and support!

Research Grant Officers (or related titles) are integral members of the research support ecosystems at academic institutions. They provide expert guidance throughout the lifecycle of externally funded research. They support researchers in the development, coordination, and submission of grant applications across a wide range of funding schemes, advising on eligibility, timelines, and competitive application strategies. The role has a strong focus on pre- and post-award administration, including reviewing and approving grant award documentation, funding agreements, authorizing the establishment of research accounts, and coordinating the transfer of funds between institutions.  

Research Grant Officers ensure that all funding is administered in compliance with institutional policies and the requirements of funding agencies, maintaining high standards of accuracy, ethics, and accountability. Acting as a key liaison, they facilitate clear communication between researchers, sponsors, and internal stakeholders such as finance and legal departments.  

Through proactive oversight and informed advice, Research Grant Officers help maximize funding success while safeguarding the responsible management of research funds and supporting the long-term sustainability of the research enterprise. 

Common Qualifications:

  • Various degree requirements based on employer requirementsTypically, master’s degree is required at a minimum; however, a PhD is often noted to be an asset or a requirement.
  • Related research funding experience in an academic setting.
  • Experience working with research funding agencies or organizations that provide grants through regularized programs.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problemsolving skills. 

Research Strategy Officer (or related titles) plays a pivotal, hands‑on role across the full lifecycle of funding and recognition. They assist with writing and editing research funding applications and award nomination packages, elevating clarity, coherence, and impact while ensuring compliance with sponsor guidelines.  

Partnering closely with faculty, they coordinate and guide applicants through each phase, from opportunity scoping and intent-to-apply to drafting, internal review, and submission. They advise on potential challenges (e.g., eligibility, methodological gaps, budgeting, EDI requirements) and translate strategic priorities into compelling narratives and measurable outcomes. The officer develops realistic application timelines, synchronizes inputs from investigators, collaborators, and research services, and maintains meticulous tracking of milestones, risks, and deliverables. Throughout, they provide constructive feedback, align proposals with evaluation criteria, and facilitate access to institutional resources (letters of support, CV formats, metrics).  

Post‑submission, they capture lessons learned, monitor results, and help plan resubmissions or knowledge‑mobilization strategies to strengthen future competitiveness. 

Common Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree at minimum.
  • Experience writing, editing, and coordinating the creation of complex, multi-stakeholder grant applications.
  • Relevant experience in an academic research environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational, analystical, and problem solving skills.

 

A Research Program Manager (or related titles) supports the effective planning, coordinator, and administration of research and or education activities within an academic environment. The role can span the full research lifecycle, providing assistace with developing proposals, mangaging awarded projects, and supporting the operational needs of research units or shared facilitites. By helping to organize processes, track requirements, and facilitate communications between teas, a Research Project Manager contributes to a smooth and efficient research environment.

In addition to resaerch support, the position may play a role in education programming, ofering guidance on areas such as curriculum coordination, learner support, and administration of awards or other academic activities.

Overall a Research Program Manager helps create an organizational foundation that allows researchers, instructors, and trainees to focus on their core work.

Common Qualifications:

Meet UHN Alumni

Tristian Woo is a Research Strategy Development Specialist with UHN’s Strategic Research Initiatives Development (StRIDe) team and a former graduate student at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

“For anyone interested in any type of science communications role, it’s important that you take the time to explore opportunities to communication science, like asking your PI to be more ivolved in grant applications, applying for scholarships, etc. These will build skills that you can put on your resume to help boster your science communications experience.”

To learn more about Tristan and their journey towards becoming and Research Stratedy Development Specialist, you can check out our “Career Pathways in Academic” Panel hosted on October 29, 2025!

Dr. Arghavan Ashouri is a former Research Grants Officer at UHN and a postdoctoral researcher at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

To learn more about the experiences and advice from Dr. Arghavan Ashouri and several other academic professionals, check out our “Career Pathways in Academia” panel from October 29, 2025.

Disclosure: This resource is provided for informational purposes only. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and clarity of the content; however, specific details, requirements, and expectations may vary across institutions and positions. Readers should always consult individual job postings or official organizational resources for the most current and authoritative information. 

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