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The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are looking to hire a new member of staff to help co-ordinate and deliver the final two regional research frameworks as part of the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) project.
The role helps the Society deliver its programme activity to support its mission and vision. This role will include day-to-day management of both the North East of Scotland Archaeological Research Framework and the Forth Valley and Fife Archaeological Research Framework. The role will also contribute to other research-related activities related to the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework. The role will report to the Society Head of Research and have the support of the NESARF and Forth Valley and Fife Project Steering Groups and the authority to run the project on behalf of the Project Advisory Group. The role will help deliver Society aims relating to external strategies as required.
Role: Research Manager – full-time, fixed term for three years
Contract: 36 months (three years)
Salary: £35,400 per annum, with an additional 10% pension contribution
Hours: 37 hours (five days) per week with flexible daytime working hours on Monday–Friday, and an occasional requirement to assist at evening or weekend events with time off in lieu (TOIL) provided
Location: Hybrid working – all staff are expected to work from our office at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh at least two days per week (pro rata) and employees starting in a new role will be required to work from the office more regularly in the first instance. However, as there are several flights of stairs up to the Society offices, we are happy to explore different ways of working as required.
Annual leave: 38 days paid holiday per year which includes all normal bank holidays
Reports to: Head of Research
Probation: There will be a probationary period during which time your skills and suitability for the post will be assessed.
Main Responsibilities
- Manage the North East Scotland and Forth Valley and Fife Archaeological Research Framework projects and their outputs
- Manage project budgets and timescales
- Lead the desk-based assessment and literature review of the archaeological resource and previous archaeological research in the regions
- Organise Project Advisory Group meetings, stakeholder engagement, workshops and other project events
- Lead on the writing of the content of the Research Frameworks in consultation with the Project Advisory Groups, stakeholders, and project partners/consultants
- Maintain high academic standards across Society research-related activity
- Manage all copyright associated with the Local and Regional Framework publications
- Final editing of the regional research frameworks following consultation with stakeholders
- Promotion and dissemination of the projects and their outputs in partnership with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and other key stakeholders
- Line manage two Research Officer posts
- Conduct at all times to maintain the high esteem in which the Society is held, and follow the Society employment policies and health and safety procedures
- Other reasonable tasks as required and agreed with Head of Research
How to Apply
Submit a CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience, skills and knowledge meets the requirements (cover letter to be no more than two sides of A4) by the closing date.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in person in Edinburgh or online via Zoom on 19 and 20 March 2026. Reasonable travel expenses can be claimed.
Applicants who are not shortlisted will be informed but no detailed feedback will be possible.
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is dedicated to meeting the aims and commitments set out in its equality policy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity. Please help us by filling in the Equalities Monitoring Form, a link will be emailed to you with receipt of your application. Filling in this form is voluntary, and the results are anonymous and are not used in the recruitment process.
Closing date: 11:59 PM on 8 March 2026
Further Information
For further information, please read the ScARF Research Manager – Full Job Description or contact the Head of Research, Dr Helen Spencer FSAScot.
Become part of something historic!
Working Pattern: 0.6 FTE (happy to discuss flexible working arrangements)
Dates: May 2026 - June 2027 (14 months)
Location: Home-based from anywhere in the UK with frequent (around once per month) travel across the UK
Working requirements: Applicants must have the right to work within the UK
Deadline for applications: Friday 6th March
Interviews: 19th and 20th March via Zoom
Salary: £42-44k pro rata dependent on experience
Job Purpose
We are looking for a Research Programme Manager with a strong grounding in scientific research and expertise in grant management to take on a maternity cover within our small and tight-knit research team.
The role’s core responsibility will be to lead on the delivery of the Foundation’s translational grant funding schemes - our Catalyst Awards and Advancing Treatments Awards. The post holder will have a visible presence within the research community acting as an important point of contact between researchers, committee members (including people living with MND), peer reviewers and the charity.
They will be responsible for the successful delivery of a large portfolio of active projects by working closely with others in the team to ensure all awards are expertly administered, monitored, evaluated and reported against, ensuring the outputs are of the highest quality and supporting the charities activities. The post-holder will identify opportunities to communicate the progress or impact of the work we fund and work with the communications team to develop compelling communications for our supporters.
Key responsibilities
Grant Funding Programme
● Lead on the management of several grant funding schemes, as well as ad-hoc applications that come to the Foundation;
● Oversee the smooth running of application rounds, peer review and ensure that funding committees function in line with AMRC guidance;
● Be the main point of contact for the AMRC with regards to research management;
● Support the ongoing implementation and development of the Foundation’s Grant Management Software, Flexi-Grant, ensuring the research team are using the platform effectively;
● Manage project set-up including contracting, the development of detailed project plans, including go/no-go milestones and budgets;
● Work with the others in the team to oversee the research programme budget including planning, monitoring and forecasting; work with the Directors of Research and Finance to ensure that accurate research finance information is available for organisational budgeting and planning;
● Seek opportunities to improve the Foundation’s grant funding schemes to increase the number and quality of applications received year on year, ensuring funded projects support the delivery of the Foundation’s research strategy;
● Monitor any developments or innovations across the sector and implement changes to maintain a high-quality impactful research funding programme.
Project Portfolio
● Manage and oversee project delivery of the Foundation’s active project portfolio by:
○ Building and managing relationships with award holders and attending site visits;
○ Approving grant payments and managing the change process for any project amendments;
○ Ensuring project progress is effectively monitored and reported against;
○ Identifying opportunities for and approving any project communications.
● Work closely with others in the research team to implement an Impact Evaluation Framework, to evaluate the impact of the research we fund.
General Responsibilities
● Support the Director of Research to deliver the Foundation’s research strategy;
● Support more junior members of the team through training and mentoring;
● Contribute to the team being proactive and supportive, and working effectively and efficiently to achieve agreed objectives;
● Contribute to the development and maintenance of strong internal relationships across the charity, working specifically with the Fundraising Team to support income generation;
● Support the Director of Research in the development of updates for the Board of Trustees and other groups such as our Scientific Advisors;
● Keep updated with the latest scientific developments in the field, attend conferences and build strong relationships with MND experts and other relevant stakeholders;
● Represent the Foundation at external scientific meetings and conferences;
● Undertake other work as required by the Director of Research.
Skills and experience required:
● Educated to PhD level or with equivalent experience in a science subject relevant to MND;
● Experience of research management, including the management of grant schemes, preferably with experience of using Flexi-Grant;
● Experience of research communications, including the ability to disseminate complex scientific information and present it to non-technical audiences;
● Experience of liaising with senior individuals in a variety of organisations with an ability to create favourable working relationships;
● Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time;
● A great communicator, with excellent written and oral skills and the ability to maintain relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including those within the Foundation, researchers and clinicians, relevant organisations and industry bodies, MND patients, and other MND charities;
● Self-motivated, proactive and able to work using own initiative;
● Organised, with a proven ability to successfully manage a broad spectrum of tasks, deadlines and individuals;
● Motivated to make a real difference for those living with MND.
We are My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and we're absolutely committed to our goal: A World Free of MND



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