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.

This is an opportunity to join a dynamic interdisciplinary research team that brings together the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations and the School of English.

As Project Manager you will be an integral part of a team that has been established as the result of a Wellcome Trust Discovery Award grant of £1.6 million, Multispecies Mutualisms. The project aims to reimagine ‘multispecies mutualism’: the idea that partnerships between humans and animals can underpin mental, physical and material health for all. This requires a critical examination of the different ways that multispecies mutualisms are represented, practised and theorised so that we can identify harms and inequalities that can emerge from these relationships. The project has four case studies: bird conservation, ethical dairy production, equine therapy, and hypoallergenic dog breeding.

The project team is led by Prof Rosaleen Duffy, Prof Alasdair Cochrane, Dr Eva Haifa Giraud and Prof Robert McKay. The team will also recruit 4 post docs for 3 years of the project.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will be an essential member of the Multispecies Mutualisms team, providing comprehensive management support for this project. This will include:

• assisting the PI and Co-Is with strategic project planning
• managing project finances and expenditure processing
• organising project meetings and seminars, notably assisting with the organisation of knowledge exchange workshops and public events
• providing travel and logistical support to team members conducting fieldwork; disseminating research and impact activities
• maintaining the project website and social media accounts; and overseeing data collection protocols and storage
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

You will join the wider Professional Services team in the School and in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and will be encouraged and supported to develop your professional skillset throughout the life of the project.

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 are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't 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.

Essential criteria

• Have a good honours degree (or equivalent experience) (Application form)
• Experience of organising and publicising events  (Application form, Interview)
• Experience of motivating and communicating with a team of  staff (Application form, Interview)
• Ability to work accurately to tight deadlines (Application form, Interview)
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving (Application form, Interview)
• Experience of developing and maintaining financial systems (Application form, Interview)
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and  progress work activities (Application form, Interview)
• Experience of developing and maintaining data and  information management, including the processing of  sensitive data (Application form, Interview)
• Ability to work as part of a team (Application form, Interview)
• Knowledge of relevant systems, policies, legislation and  quality standards (Application form, Interview)
• Enthusiasm about and commitment to the research goals of the Multispecies Mutualisms project

Desirable criteria

• Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts across the University to facilitate the project (Application form, Interview)
•  Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances (Application form, Interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: 01.09.2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to 31.08.2030

Line manager: School Manager

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/spir and https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/english

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Rosaleen Duffy, PI of the Multispecies Mutualisms project on r.v.duffy@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place sometime during the week commencing 14th July 2025. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 7th July 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact SPR Operations (spr-oprations@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; integrated with our 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.

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 30/06/2025 

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.