Research Excellence Framework (REF) Officer

Location: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Singleton Campus

The faculty consists of three Schools: Swansea University Medical School, the School of Health and Social Care, and the School of Psychology. Collectively, we have over 25 years’ experience of driving forward research to improve health, well-being, and wealth. We take insights from bedside to bench and back again, resulting in real world impact and better patient outcomes. The quality of our research has been recognised in REF2021, with 85% of our faculty research being rated as world-leading or internationally excellent overall. The post holder will be engaged in developing and managing Unit of Assessment (UOA) strategies and processes to improve on this performance, maximising researcher engagement and outcomes with regard to research excellence (to include outputs, impact and environment) in preparation for the next REF assessment.

The primary purpose of the REF Officer is to lead and manage the delivery of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science (FMHLS) preparations, procedures and systems in support of its next REF submission. The post holder will be engaged in developing Unit of Assessment (UOA) strategies to maximise researcher engagement and performance with regard to research excellence (to include outputs, impact and environment) and improve engagement with external research users. The post holder will require a firm understanding of research activity across the wide spectrum of the faculty. The post holder will regularly liaise with the Faculty’s Executive, the Faculty Research, Innovation and Impact committee (FRIIC), the REF Working Group, with research groups and individual academics. The post holder will be responsible for:

• The development, management, implementation and monitoring of the faculty’s preparations, procedures and systems in support of the REF submission.
• Working collaboratively with the Life Science Hub, REIS, PSPU and the Impact Team to translate university expectations and performance indicators for research excellence, identified within the University Research strategy, into FMHLS practices and procedures.
• Building a solid understanding of the faculty’s research environment and activities and developing and delivering platforms to showcase this depth and breadth both internally and externally.
• Assisting in developing and implementing strategies to safeguard and improve upon the Faculty UOA REF2021 performances.
• Recommending specific and bespoke approaches to increase the potential of the impact at departmental and project levels, at research group and individual academic levels.

Essential Criteria (full list in JD):

• Qualification
  • An honours degree (BSc/BA) or equivalent experience.
• Experience
  • Demonstrable project management experience in a working environment
  • Demonstrable experience of giving presentations to large audiences
• Knowledge and Skills
  • Knowledge of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) process
  • Experience of University procedures and practises.
  • Evidence of working effectively in a team and producing reports/outputs.
  • Strong IT skills to include using MS Office/online tools.

To apply for the post please click on the link: Research Excellence Framework (REF) Officer (swansea.ac.uk)

Applicants are asked to provide a completed online application providing evidence against the essential criteria in the recruitment documentation. Applicants should also attach to the application a Curriculum Vitae.

For further information please contact Dr. Laura Healy, REF Officer FMHLS, l.l.healy@swansea.ac.uk

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