Head of REF and Research Support

This strategic role is central to strengthening research support and excellence across the University of Northampton. As Head of REF and Research Support, you will lead preparations for future REF (Research Excellence Framework) submissions and manage a dedicated team providing end-to-end research support services.

You’ll oversee the delivery of tailored support to researchers at all career stages – from training and development programmes to funding advice and compliance with open research and data policies. Your remit will include managing the University’s research management system, institutional repositories, and ensuring robust practices across research data management, impact, metrics/altmetrics, scholarly communications, and copyright.

Working in partnership with academic and professional service colleagues, you’ll play a key role in enhancing our research culture and capacity, ensuring our researchers are supported to reach their full potential.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our staff and students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another.  With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy.

We’re looking for someone with deep expertise in the UK research landscape – particularly REF – and a passion for enabling research excellence.

You’ll have substantial experience supporting research in a Higher Education setting, with up-to-date knowledge of REF requirements, Open Research, research impact, and emerging trends in research support and repository systems. You’ll be comfortable navigating complex guidance, policies, and frameworks – and translating these into effective support and training for colleagues.

You will bring a strong track record in managing and motivating teams, alongside excellent project management and budget management skills. Experience of delivering training (including online and blended formats), and a confident command of Microsoft Office tools – especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint – is essential.

You’ll be someone who can analyse and present complex data clearly to a range of audiences, and who enjoys working collaboratively across professional networks and institutional boundaries.

You’ll hold a good Honours degree (or equivalent) and will have demonstrated a commitment to your professional development throughout your career. A relevant professional or vocational qualification – and/or membership of a relevant body – would be an advantage, as would a postgraduate research degree such as an MRes or PhD.

The successful candidate will join the Directorate of Research and Knowledge Exchange, which brings together the Research Support team, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise team, the Graduate School, and two research institutes.

 As part of our strategic commitment to growing research and knowledge exchange activity, we have recently invested in strengthening both the Research Support and Knowledge Exchange teams. These teams draw on a diverse range of expertise and work collaboratively across the Directorate to support the University’s research ambitions.