Job Description
Job Title:  Research Impact and Outreach Administrator
Posting Start Date:  07/11/2025
Job Id:  1836
School/Department:  Chemical, Materials & Biological Eng
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  29588
Closing Date:  23/11/2025

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

 

The School of Chemical, Materials & Biological Engineering leads the Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training, a research centre which has operated since 2009 and has over 200 alumni, and 50 current postgraduate students. The Centre received a large funding award (£5M) from UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) in 2019, and £5M from UK industry to equip graduates with doctoral-level technical and professional skills to lead the UK in its advanced metals engineering challenges. CDT research students undertake a world class doctoral research project and complete a CDT-specific bespoke technical and professional skills training programme.The CDT operates across several university partners, including Sheffield, Manchester, Dublin City University and University College Dublin,  leading to shared academic expertise and access to research facilities. 

 

In carrying out their research projects, many different impacts have arisen from the work done by students in the CDT.  A large number of outreach interactions with the general public and schools have occurred, as the students have conducted their training.  In order to maximise the impact of the centre, and to ensure that we have a full understanding of the benefits it has led to, we are seeking to recruit to an administrative role to provide support to the CDT PGRs in all of the partner universities to maximise their outreach and impact activities. The Administrator reports directly to the Advanced Metallic Systems CDT Senior Programme Manager and the Advanced Metallic Systems Communications Officer. 

 

We are looking for a motivated, self-reliant individual to help support our outreach training and impact programme, and capture the research impact of the Centre through liaison with current students and alumni. You will provide day-to-day support for these activities within the CDT by taking responsibility for, and assisting with a wide range of administrative tasks. You will be highly organised, pro-active and have the ability to re-prioritise your work according to demands.

 

The post would suit an experienced administrative professional, comfortable with working across multidisciplinary and institutional boundaries, and possessing the ability to communicate effectively with academics, industry professionals and students. A genuine interest in training delivery, outreach and PGR development is desirable.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Liaise closely with internal and external colleagues to facilitate delivery of the CDT outreach and impact programme.

  • Support assessment review for CDT training programme.

  • Support planning and delivery of CDT outreach events.

  • Support communication of CDT impact activities through social media.

  • Support CDT impact activities through collection and reporting on impact data.

  • Support development of industrial impact through case studies for CDT researchers and alumni.

  • Coordinate CDT meetings, data and reports for governance, producing minutes and supporting delivery of actions.

  • Maintain information and documentation in compliance with GDPR. 

  • Prioritise own work to meet deadlines.

  • As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. 

  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

  • 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 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.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Educated to a minimum of A level standard or have equivalent experience.

Essential

Application

Previous project and/or administrative office experience.

Essential

Application

Ability to coordinate resources to complete an activity to a high standard and timescale.

Essential

Interview

Experience of organising events with a range of stakeholders and customers.

Essential

Interview

Excellent information management and office IT software skills. 

Essential

Interview

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with attention to detail.

Essential

Interview

Experience of working as a team member to collaborate, co-operate and participate with others to achieve common objectives.

Essential

Interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving, organise and progress activities.

Essential

Interview

Ability to work independently and own initiative, accurately to tight deadlines.

Essential

Interview

 

Further Information

 

Grade

5

Salary

From £27,319

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

From 1st January.2026, fixed term (24 months).

Line manager

EPSRC Advanced Metallic Systems CDT Programme Manager

Direct reports

n/a

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/cmbe

For informal enquiries about this job contact Sharon Brown, EPSRC Advanced Metallic Systems CDT Programme Manager on sharon.brown@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 222 5478.

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place mid-September. This will consist of an interview with a short paper-exercise activity. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage immediately (same day). If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact sharon.brown@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 38 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.

 

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.

Disability Confident Leader