Head of Research Support (College of Social Sciences - CoSS and College of Arts and Law - CAL)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £53,353 to £61,823, with potential progression once in post to £80,613

Department overview 

The University has an exciting vision to build on the success of REF2021, by continuing to transform its research performance across outputs, income, impact, and policy influence. Central to this ambition is the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD), a new Professional Services department that is being established to provide a transformative and sector-leading approach to research strategy and support.

Role Summary

A new senior role as Head of Research Support (College of Arts & Law and College of Social Sciences) has been created to support our exciting new Research Strategy and Services Division. The post holder will support the Assistant Director (Research Strategy & Services) to deliver sector-leading services of research strategy, development, and support to researchers from across the two Colleges, and to provide insightful and proactive support to the development of thematic research applications and partnerships that bring together researchers from multiple cross college disciplines.

They will embed a culture of collaborative and devolved leadership throughout the team, that empowers all staff within the team to thrive, and will work in close partnership with the wider University Professional Services, ensuring that academics and external partners receive a consistent and high-quality service to build strong credibility across all functions.

Successful candidates will work alongside colleagues from the RSSD and the Colleges to establish and subsequently lead new research support teams that will provide support for researchers across research development, research support, and contracts and research related agreements. This is a high volume and highly complex portfolio that encompasses regulatory compliance (data security, data protection, Export Control, Nagoya Protocol, the National Security & Investment Act 2022) funder terms and conditions (good research conduct, due diligence of external partners, spend eligibility) and contracting (intellectual property, publishing rights, confidentiality, materials transfer, academic exchange).

Post holders will be responsible for developing effective systems and procedures to manage part of this high value, highly complex contracts portfolio valued at between £170M - £200M per annum at the University, ensuring that these are risk-based such that the service is proportionate and effective, enabling risk whilst ensuring that the University and its individual researchers are protected and making informed decisions.

To ensure that the team is recognised as a ‘trusted expert’ by the University and its partners, the role holder will embed a culture of continuous professional training and development, for all staff, and will ensure that the team and wider RSSD is well connected to external organisations such that the Division responds quickly and effectively to evolving regulatory and legal requirements, with this including internal policy developments as required.

Informal inquires can be directed to Xavier Rodde: X.Rodde@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button below or visit our careers website; https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/807/?utm_medium=jobshare

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