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

Academic research is at the heart of The University of Sheffield’s core activities. The University is committed to making the world a better place and this starts with its mission: ‘To Discover and Understand’. We are in the top 10% of UK Universities for research, with globally recognised research strengths.

Research support in the Faculty of Health is provided by three Research Hub teams.  Each team works with academic and Professional Services colleagues in Schools or Divisions within the faculty. You will support and assist with a variety of research support activities including costings and applications, responding to queries, collaborating closely with other Professional Service teams, and maintaining data. You will also contribute to University initiatives to share best practices and foster continual improvement.

We are looking for someone who:

• is proactive and flexible
• is pragmatic and solutions-focussed
• has excellent attention to detail
• has strong customer service skills.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake routine costings and provide support for research applications, including providing guidance and support on various funder submission systems.
• Contribute to the smooth set up of successful grants by working closely with other professional services teams in Research, Partnerships and Innovation and Faculty Finance as appropriate.
• Support administrative processes related to the preparation and submission of the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
• Allocate reviewers and monitor research ethics applications, liaising closely with the Ethics Administrator and Research, Partnerships and Innovation as required.
• Regularly update and maintain accurate data across the various systems that support research activities at the University.
• Support the achievement of Open Access for research publications, working closely with the Library to ensure researchers meet REF and funder requirements.
• Develop and maintain relevant internal and external content as required.
• Run routine reports to enable, for example, being able to run and manipulate reports to track and monitor grant applications and awards.
• Assist with the organisation and support a range of research related events.
• Maintain close links with Research, Partnerships and Innovation and other Professional Services departments to ensure processes are aligned with University requirements.
• 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.

Essential criteria

• Educated to A level standard, or equivalent qualifications/work experience (assessed at: application).
• Excellent standard of numeracy, including practical experience of working with finance and/or budgets; and of accurate data entry and data reporting using various systems (assessed at: application/task).
• Ability to exercise judgement within a framework of guidance and procedures (assessed at: application/interview).
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to explain complex information to a range of audiences (assessed at: application/task/interview).
• Experience of working effectively as a team and independently; and the ability to form positive working relationships with colleagues at different levels of the organisation (assessed at: application).
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with an ability to prioritise own workload and work accurately to tight deadlines and manage a demanding workload (assessed at: application/interview).
• Excellent IT skills and good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google applications (assessed at: application).
• Ability to learn quickly, to assimilate new information, and apply it to different situations (assessed at: application/interview).
• Have a proactive approach and an ability to adapt to changing work priorities (assessed at: application).

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience working in a research support environment within the higher education sector (assessed at: application).

Further Information

Grade: 5

Duration: Open-ended

Line manager: Research Hub Manager

Direct reports: None

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/health

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Luke Benson Marshall, Research Hub Manager: on l.a.bensonmarshall@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the last week of November/first week of December. This will consist of an interview and a task which will be shared ahead of the interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th November. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jen Newton on FOH-staffing@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.