The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Based in the Scholarly Communications Team, you will be responsible for providing research data stewardship support to the University’s researchers. You will bring research data management (RDM) expertise to the role, and provide in-depth, bespoke advice across all disciplines on managing research data throughout the research data lifecycle, and in line with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) Principles. This may include providing advice and training on creating data management plans, working with sensitive and/or qualitative data, and publishing and sharing research data and software.

Under the direction of the University’s new Office for Open Research and Scholarship, you will also contribute to open research projects on the University’s Research Culture Action Plan, including activities to support the professionalisation of research-enabling staff. As part of this work, you will be a key member of the University’s new Data Stewards Network. You will support activities to increase the visibility and recognition of research data stewards across the University, and identify opportunities for training, development, and the sharing of best practice in research data management. You will also be involved in activities to improve the institutional management of research data.

You will be comfortable with cross-team working and developing relationships with academic, technical, and professional services. You will work with stakeholders from across the University, including Research Partnerships and Innovation, Research & Innovation IT, Records Management, Data Protection, Research Software Engineering, and individual researchers. You may also have the opportunity to oversee the work of the Library’s Research Data Management Team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide in-depth data stewardship support to researchers and research-enabling staff across all disciplines and all stages of the research data lifecycle.
• Work closely with colleagues from the Library and Research and Innovation IT Services to provide research data management and support services and disseminate best practice in research data management.
• Act as an advocate for research data management best practice, including the FAIR Principles, across the University.
• Develop and deliver RDM training and guidance, providing discipline-specific support to researchers, departments, and research groups as required.
• Contribute to the development of the Data Stewards Network, including creating resources for the online hub and fostering a community of practice for research data stewardship.
• Work closely with the Library Research Data Management Team and contribute to other activities in the Scholarly Communications Team as appropriate.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience does not match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information 

Next steps in the recruitment process

Details of the next steps will be provided to shortlisted candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date, subject to the volume of applications received. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact library-hr@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 05/08/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.