Administrator

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role

About NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium
Launched in August 2025, the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium (NIHR MDC) is a £50 million, five-year NIHR investment which brings together a diverse range of organisations with expertise in research, capacity development and working with people and communities to deliver a step change in maternity outcomes and developing future research leaders in this area of need. The research carried out by the consortium is organised into five theme and two workstreams and will focus on inequalities before, during and after pregnancy. Nine University-led collaborations comprise the MDC.

The NIHR MDC is co-ordinated from Newcastle University (Research and Capacity Development) and the University of Birmingham (Research). The postholder will be based at Newcastle University and work closely with the Consortium team at the University of Birmingham. The University operates blended working but it is expected you will spend the majority of your time on site.

The NIHR MDC has been established to increase the evidence base to address maternity inequalities, facilitating a multidisciplinary whole systems approach to address uncertainties across research, innovation and implementation. It will task researchers and policymakers with finding new ways to tackle maternity inequalities. The research will have strong community engagement and be guided by inclusive principles. The research will be accessible to those developing policies and services to ensure it delivers the impact needed to improve pregnancy outcomes, access to, and experience of, maternity services.

The NIHR MDC's research will help answer the most important questions facing policy makers, Local Authorities and service providers organised across five themes and two workstreams. To do this, we need to inspire and equip the next generation of research leaders in maternal health and care. The UK-wide Consortium will develop an innovative and transformative capacity building programme of career development awards and opportunities that are linked and embedded within the MDC's research themes and workstreams, reflecting who/what is needed to address maternity inequalities.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to be part of the team to establish this new Consortium.

The purpose of this role is to provide comprehensive administrative support to the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium (MDC) at Newcastle University, providing an effective and efficient service to the Consortium's co-lead for Research and Capacity Development. The postholder will also provide support to the Consortium Programme Manager (capacity development) and the Capacity Development and Training Manager, as required and in agreement with the co-lead for Research and Capacity.

You will be the first point of contact for the Consortium (Newcastle) and, amongst other duties, provide diary management, arrange and support meetings, conferences and other stakeholder events; arrange travel, accommodation and catering, report on management information and milestones; develop effective administrative systems and independently prioritise workload; and provide administrative support to the capacity development and training programme.

This is a fixed-term contract until the end of July 2030.

If you have any queries, please reach out to JUDITH.RANKIN@NEWCASTLE.AC.UK.

Advert information