HR Advisor (Fixed Term)

Contract: Fixed-term until 31 March 2029

Location: Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with hybrid working 

Are you an HR professional who enjoys supporting organisational change and helping teams navigate complex people challenges? 

We're looking for an HR Adviser to join our Human Resources Division and play a key role in supporting Medical Research Council (MRC) units across the Schools of Clinical Medicine and Biological Sciences during a significant period of organisational change and transformation. 

We encourage early applications as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy may close before the advertised deadline if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. 

About the role 

Working closely with the HR Business Partner, you'll provide expert HR support across a diverse portfolio of research units, helping leaders and managers deliver change while maintaining a positive employee experience.

This is a varied role combining employee relations, workforce planning, organisational change, recruitment, employee engagement and HR project work. You'll build strong relationships with stakeholders across the University, NHS and MRC, helping to deliver practical HR solutions that support world-leading research. 

What you'll be doing 

• Supporting organisational change and workforce planning initiatives across MRC-funded departments.
• Advising managers on HR policies, employee relations matters and people-related challenges.
• Assisting with investigations, casework and change projects.
• Supporting staff engagement, learning and development initiatives.
• Contributing to equality, diversity and inclusion activities.
• Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including NHS and MRC partners.

We're looking for someone who has 

• Experience working in a generalist or specialist HR environment.
• Good knowledge of HR best practice and employment legislation.
• Experience supporting employee relations matters and responding to HR queries.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and build effective stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of organisational change, project work, or workforce initiatives would be particularly valuable.

Why join us? 

Alongside working in a collaborative and supportive environment, the University of Cambridge offers: 

• Excellent development opportunities and career progression.
• Generous pension contributions and 36 days annual leave.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Discounts at local businesses and major retailers.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits and family-friendly policies. 

Fixed-term: Funding is available until 31 March 2029 in the first instance. 

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment, a security check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University. 

Closing date: Monday 5th October 2026

For this role, all applications will be managed by Spirehouse Recruitment. To apply, please send your CV to cambridge@spirehouse.co.uk via the above 'Apply' button. For further information about the role, please contact Abbie Carr (Executive Consultant) at abbie@spirehouse.co.uk.

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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