Head of Research Excellence

FTE: 0.8 – 1.0 FTE (working 29.6 – 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Permanent

Salary: AM1 £69,072pa to £76,298pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: DeHavilland Campus, Hatfield

The University’s blend of excellent education, enterprise, and research gives the Department of Research and Enterprise Services (RES) a fantastic platform to support UH’s development of world leading research which delivers impact for society and for industry. We are looking for an experienced Head of Research Excellence to join our team and lead the delivery of our support packages around research impact and policy, as well as leading the operational delivery of the REF2029 submission for UH.

Main duties and responsibilities

As the Head of Research Excellence within the Research and Enterprise Services Department you will lead on the planning, oversight and management of the arrangements for the University’s REF (Research Excellence Framework) submissions in order to deliver and secure the best possible institutional performance. You will also lead on the delivery of research performance including research impact and policy engagement leadership for the University. 

The postholder will be expected to exercise considerable personal initiative, working with a high degree of autonomy to meet the requirements and facilitating delivery of the University’s strategic objectives and ambitions for its research strategy implementation and for its submission to REF.

Skills and experience required

We are searching for a candidate with considerable experience at a senior level in a research-relevant institution with excellent knowledge of the national and international higher education research landscape. This role requires the application of strategic vision and a professional approach in implementing policies and processes in support of research excellence and assessment.

You will have proven experience at an appropriate level and excellent knowledge of research impact development, research impact assessment, and research impact in funding applications. As well as experience in a strategic-level research or project management role within the higher education sector.

Key to this role is the knowledge and understanding of the Research Excellence Framework requirement and the ability to provide expert advice to colleagues to enable the development of a high-quality REF submission. You also will be able to analyse multiple sources of data and then develop recommendations from this analysis.

Qualifications required

Minimum of a degree, or equivalent qualification.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries:

Dr Peter Gooden, Director of Research and Enterprise Services p.gooden@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 13 January 2026

Interview Date: 27 January 2026

Reference Number: REQ000392

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