Researcher, Student Communications (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for one year in the first instance.

The University's Office of External Affairs and Communications has a vacancy for a talented researcher in its expanding Internal Communications team.

Working with the Internal Communications Manager, the Student Communications Researcher will lead a one-year research project to develop an evidence-based approach on how the University should communicate with and engage students studying at Cambridge. The person appointed will be responsible for planning and leading the project, undertaking research (including quantitative and qualitative analysis), reporting on the results of the research and making recommendations for future strategy.

The scope of the project is significant. In addition to researching and understanding student views on communications, the role holder will need to work independently to develop strong working relationships with senior members of the colleges, faculty and departmental officers and a range of student-facing staff across the collegiate University.

The role holder will be part of the Internal Communications team in the Office of External Affairs and Communications, and will report to the Internal Communications Manager - Education and Students. They will collaborate with a number of teams in OEAC and communications professionals in the colleges.

A creative and meticulous thinker, the successful candidate will have a strong research background, and ideally an understanding both of communications and of the issues facing students. They will be able to produce a well-researched and persuasive report into their findings that can be used to help set the direction for our future student communications strategy.

If you want to play a key role in supporting our students through excellent communications, enjoy working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment, and are inspired by Cambridge's mission and values, we want to hear from you.

More detailed information on the role and its core responsibilities is available via the link below.

Behavioural attributes

As part of their application, applicants should provide evidence of the following behavioural attributes gained in their current or previous employment:

Communication (B)

Relationship building (B)

Negotiation and influencing (C)

Strategic focus (C)

Innovation and change (B)

Further information about the University's behavioural attributes framework, and the levels described in brackets, can be found here: https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/policies-procedures/behavioural-attributes

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements. 

For any queries regarding this position, please contact Pen McCarthy on Penuel.McCarthy@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference AR35030 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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