Governance and Project Officer

Location: Tinsley Building, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA

About the role

You will be a key member of the strategic planning and projects team of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division (MPLS) at the University of Oxford. The team collaborates closely with senior leaders to shape the future direction of MPLS, supporting strategic planning, committees, risk management, and a range of activities aimed at keeping people and data safe and secure, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Many of the initiatives being taken forward by the team take the form of projects and programmes, which you will support by tracking progress, sending out communications, and gathering and analysing information. Committee support will take the form of preparing agendas, collating and distributing papers, and managing meeting logistics. You will maintain action trackers and forward plans, take notes, produce clear minutes, and help coordinate information on committee membership. You will also play a key role in providing administrative support for the Division’s safety activities, and supporting meetings and workshops arranged by the team, assisting with stakeholder engagement and communications materials.  

This is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful, high-impact work within a supportive team at a world-leading university. 

About MPLS

MPLS is one of four academic divisions at the University of Oxford. The MPLS Division is the umbrella body for nine departments, a doctoral training centre and a science park. It employs around 700 academic postholders, 1200 researchers, and 1000 professional services staff, and has around 7,000 students.   

About you

You will be organised, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities, with the ability to bring clarity and structure to complex information. You will have a good honours degree or equivalent experience, ideally in a project support or higher education environment, along with strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.

You will be an excellent communicator, both written and verbal, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of people. You will be able to handle sensitive information with tact and discretion, and demonstrate strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines. 

You will be confident using standard digital tools such as Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint, or willing to learn quickly, and will bring a flexible, solutions-focused approach to your work. Experience of supporting projects or servicing committees would be advantageous.

Application process

Queries about the post should be addressed to Karen Brill, Head of Strategic Planning and Projects, MPLS (karen.brill@mpls.ox.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence, and will not form part of the selection decision.

As part of the online application process, you should provide a supporting statement setting out how you meet the selection criteria, a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees.

Only applications submitted online and received before noon on Monday, 13 April 2026, will be considered.

In person interviews will take place in Oxford on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.

Contact Person: Karen Brill

Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 6

Contact Email: karen.brill@mpls.ox.ac.uk

Advert information