Dr Theoni Massara

Team Lead Research Project Management (RPM)

Biography

Background

I am the Team Lead for the Research Project Management (RPM) team at the Edinburgh Research Office, where I head an institution-wide service dedicated to delivering tailored, high-calibre project management and administration across complex, high-value research portfolios. With over a decade of research project management experience spanning major UKRI, EU, Wellcome, and NIHR grants -including my role directing operations for the £12M EPSRC-funded CHAI AI Hub- I bridge rigorous operational governance with strategic research enablement. A certified PRINCE2 practitioner with a PhD in Engineering, I champion person-centred team leadership, agile resource deployment, and process optimisation. Partnering closely with Principal Investigators, cross-college leadership, and global consortia, I ensure the University of Edinburgh’s multi-partner research initiatives operate smoothly, achieve maximum impact, and adhere to exceptional delivery standards.

As the Team Lead for the Research Project Management (RPM) team in the Research Operations Directorate, I oversee an institution-wide service that embeds professional project managers and administrators directly into high-value, complex, and cross-University research initiatives. I lead the strategic deployment and capacity planning of the team, balancing project portfolios across the University’s research pipeline while championing high standards in governance, risk mitigation, and funder compliance. Combining person-centred team leadership with hands-on senior project management on major grants, I work in close partnership with Principal Investigators, School and College leadership, and professional services to build resilient delivery frameworks that drive research excellence and operational impact.

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