Research Impact and Engagement Officer

Research at Edinburgh Napier University is creating high-quality knowledge that benefits the social, cultural and economic life of the society we serve.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 assessment, over two-thirds of all our research was judged to be either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, providing the best possible confirmation that Napier delivers excellent research with substantial real impact, nationally and internationally.

A such, we are now recruiting a Research Impact and Engagement Officer to work closely with professional and academic colleagues, proactively planning and supporting development of their research activities, delivering training, providing one-to-one guidance, and proactively identifying opportunities.

The Role:

The RIE team help support our academics throughout the entire research journey and planning process. From sourcing research funding and writing proposals to managing research projects, we assist every step of the way.

As Research Impact and Engagement Officer, you will have the opportunity to use your previous experience of working towards REF 2021 and knowledge and familiarity with impact criteria in a REF context, to support academics with maximising the impact of their work, providing tools, techniques and knowledge to help identify, plan, develop, deliver, communicate and evaluate the impact of their research, enterprise, public and policy engagement projects at all stages of the project lifecycle.

Your skills and knowledge of research management in H.E. as well as your strong ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with academic/professional colleagues and external stakeholders, will serve you well as you provide expert and actionable advice on the design and implementation of impact evaluations within their research, to evaluate and evidence its reach and significance.

Furthermore, this will allow you to effectively contribute to our REF Steering Group (ENU oversight body for REF 2029), reporting updates to members relating to impact ‘readiness’ across the submitting units, as you also keep up to date on changes to the Research Excellence Framework ‘Impact and Engagement’ narrative component and contribute to University and UoA level preparations to optimise this component of the REF submission.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to step up from your current role as a Knowledge Exchange/Research Officer or Impact Manager and use your skills to promote our research, knowledge exchange and it’s real-world impact.  If you have prior experience of this and would like to play a fundamental role in how we maintain Edinburgh Napier University’s reputation for research excellence, then we would love to hear from you.

What we will need from you: 

• - Educated to degree level
• - A strong understanding of research impact in its widest context (contribution to society, the economy, and the environment)
• - Knowledge of research management in H.E., including an excellent understanding of impact requirements in research assessment (REF)
• - Ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with academic and professional colleagues, and external stakeholders
• - Excellent project management, written and verbal communication skills 

For a full role description and comprehensive list of duties please click here.

Benefits we offer: 

We offer 41 days annual leave (includes bank holidays), a generous pension scheme (17.6%), flexible working and professional development opportunities. Further information regarding our benefits can be viewed here.

Additional information:

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hrs p/w

Application Closing date: 20^th July 2025

Interviews:  Week commencing 28^th July 2025

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