Application Specialist (Technical Specialist 2) (Fixed Term)

The University of Cambridge is recognised globally as a renowned centre for research, education and scholarship. We employ more than 12,500 staff in a range of academic, research and professional services roles, all of whom play a key role in maintaining and enhancing our world leading reputation.

Located within the HR Systems Team, an opportunity has arisen for an Application specialist to join our team. The role will provide technical and functional support for the University's HR and Payroll system (MHR iTrent, known internally as CHRIS), Casual Worker system (Dashboard, known internally as CCWS), together with associated systems developed in-house.

Working on both operational and project activities, you will support the development and maintenance of our HR systems, whist improving efficiency and reducing technical debt.

Your work will be varied and unique, and will involve working closely alongside other application specialists, database administrators and other stakeholders, in a constantly changing environment.

Appointments to this role will either be made at Grade 7 (with opportunities for personal and professional development within the role), or at Grade 8. We will identify the appropriate grade for appointment based on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Additional information can be found in the Further Information document, which is available via the link below.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

The Role:

Main responsibilities: 

• To be a technical subject matter expert in our HR Systems.
• To coordinate the implementation, development and support of our HR systems in operational and project settings.
• To provide 2nd and 3rd line support activities, providing support to end users for complex technical problems.
• To design and develop quality technical solutions in response to business requirements.
• To review, test and migrate system development, including the analysis of security patches and upgrades.
• To work effectively with internal and external stakeholders through all stages of the software development lifecycle.
• To contribute to our strategic aims of improving efficiency and reducing technical debt.

About you:

In order to succeed in this role, you will join us with: 

• Knowledge of HR and Payroll systems (Preferably iTrent, locally know as CHRIS)
• Experience of providing 2nd/3rd line support as part of an operational support team.
• Experience of working at an operational level to deliver a technology change.
• Strong planning and communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain own technical knowledge.
• Degree/Postgraduate level education, Level 6 vocational qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Values diversity and difference and encourages others to do the same, operating with integrity and openness.

Benefits of working at Cambridge include:

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service related pay progression and annual cost of living increases;
• Generous annual leave allowance of 41 days paid leave (including bank holidays);
• Flexible/hybrid working opportunities;
• Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement;
• An auto-enrolment pension scheme with a generous employer contribution;
• ravel benefits and retail discounts.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to: chris.systems@admin.cam.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: Monday 5th January 2026

Interview Date: W/C 19th January 2026

Please quote reference AH48277 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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