Research Centre Manager

Post Details

Part time (60% FTE)

Open Ended (external finite funding up until August 2029)

Grade 7: £37,099-£44,263 p.a. pro-rata

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 23 September 2024.

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 09 October 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

We are looking for an experienced Centre Manager in the new interdisciplinary Centre for the Sciences of Place and Memory, hosted in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling. This is an opportunity for a candidate with excellent project management, coordination, and administrative skills to work with the Centre Director (the Leverhulme International Professor) and a team of 15-16 researchers and graduate students to develop, support, and manage Centre activities, from larger strategy and partnership-building to the weekly and daily implementation of research programmes.

This post is part of a £3.98m Leverhulme International Professorship program funded by the Leverhulme Trust for five years from 22 August, 2024. The grant supports the establishment of this new interdisciplinary Centre for the Sciences of Place and Memory. Anchored in philosophy, the Centre draws heavily on cognitive sciences, social sciences, and the arts to develop an integrated framework for place and memory research, beyond mere juxtaposition of results from different fields. Across six focused workstreams, the Centre’s diverse research team will work alongside Stirling colleagues and international collaborators to break new theoretical and empirical ground in studying complex ecologies of memory and spatial cognition.

The Centre Manager will support all project activities, reporting to the Centre Director. We will work with the successful applicant to design a mutually beneficial way to fulfil the aims and responsibilities of this 0.6 FTE position while allowing appropriate flexibility in working arrangements.

Expected start date 01 October or by mutual agreement.

Description of Duties

• Work with the Centre Director and other researchers to develop and manage successful delivery of the Centre’s activities
• Support the Centre’s research team, working with all partners and stakeholders to ensure effective interaction and project support and to implement the Centre’s vision and goals
• Set up and manage ongoing coordination and communication within the Centre’s research team, on campus and in the field; between Centre researchers and core Stirling collaborators across faculties and departments; with Stirling offices and administrators; and with external collaborators and stakeholders; using MS Teams, associated SharePoint sites, and other appropriate channels for effective communication
• Financial management: operate and track the Centre’s budget effectively in conjunction with the Centre Director and University staff; basic financial reporting
• Assist the Centre Director in preparing and implementing an effective external stakeholder engagement plan and communications plan, including the development of appropriate materials ad events to support public-facing impact activities
• Event planning and event management at distinct scales with diverse participants.
• Liaise and maintain strong relationships with internal and external networks, especially with partner and community organizations
• Data management: work with Centre researchers to set up and operate effective systems for sharing, storing, and safeguarding research data
• Monitor and record research activities and outputs in process, on campus and in the field
• Coordinate and contribute to planning and application for further funding opportunities and proposals
• Liaise with and support the Centre’s external Research Advisory Group, the external Public Advisory Group, and the internal University Advisory Group
• Assist the Centre Director in preparing and presenting progress reports and updates for Advisory Groups, funding bodies, and policy input

Essential Criteria

• University administration experience across a range of roles with increasing levels of responsibility
• Practical experience of working on large projects, preferably in a research setting
• Excellent skills in communicating effectively both orally and in writing and across a range of styles and contexts, and in summarising complex ideas or information
• Competence in supporting and monitoring engagement and communication with internal and external project partners and stakeholders
• Track record of effective delivery of projects and events to deadlines within a complex and diverse workload, with ability to adapt effectively to changing circumstances while maintaining strong attention to detail
• Capacity to manage and make effective decisions in situations of uncertainty or ambiguity, with ability to troubleshoot, make plans, and find a way forward
• Track record of effective use of applicable tools including IT and university systems
• Proven capacity for effective and careful financial management, with a track record of managing and implementing budgets
• Ability to work flexibly, independently, and with initiative while operating effectively in team and wider collaborative contexts

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in internal and external communications including use of digital platforms, communications systems, and social media
• Knowledge of the current research landscape and experience in identifying and supporting research funding applications
• Experience in identifying, contacting, liaising with, and supporting relevant community groups, public stakeholders, and organizations in relevant domains
• Ability to coordinate and contribute to research impact activity and externally-oriented capacity building

For a full description of duties and essential/desirable criteria please click the apply button, which will take you directly to the University Website.