Head of Research Strategy

Job Description

Head of Research Strategy

Edinburgh Research Office

Grade UE09 £62098 £76398 per annum

Fulltime: 35 hours per week

OpenEnded (permanent) Contract

We are seeking an ambitious and deliveryfocused Head of Research Strategy. This role is integral to the delivery of The University of Edinburgh’s Research & Innovation Strategy 2030. You will bring fresh ideas as well as a track record of delivering successful projects to support the research community. Your background might be in Research Development Policy or Funding within or with experience of a University environment. We are seeking someone who will inspire their team and build a network across the institution.

The Opportunity

The role offers a fantastic opportunity to be involved at the heart of the University of Edinburgh’s Research & Innovation Strategy delivering world leading research with impact. Reporting to the Director of Research Strategy Development & Impact you will manage a team of 5 colleagues. You will work closely with the VicePrincipal Research & Enterprise to design and produce programmes of work to enable delivery of the Research & Innovation Strategy. The role will suit an individual who is creative solution focused and engaged with the research ambition of the University.

Your Skills And Attributes For Success

• An excellent communicator who can engage and influence across a range of stakeholders
• Ability to work across areas and teams bringing colleagues together in a shared mission
• Experience of designing and delivering projects for the research community
  
  

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As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary
• An exciting positive creative challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits such as a generous holiday entitlement competitive pension schemes staff discounts and familyfriendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
  
  

The University offers hybrid working; in Edinburgh Research Office we expect colleagues to be on campus for a minimum of team anchor days team meetings allERO meetings and other inperson meetings and events required in your role.

Championing equality diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 17 February 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

Interviews will be held in March 2025.

Edinburgh Research Office

Working in Edinburgh Research Office you will be part of a professional supportive and friendly team ; at the heart of University research support working in collaboration with academics and research support professionals across the institution. The breadth of our remit means you will get an overview of research support activity while you build your skills in your specialism. Gaining new knowledge and skills to help you develop in this role and progress in your career is a priority. We offer colleagues a stimulating working environment based on our values of integrity expertise community and collaboration. Our work is fastpaced and intense; you will thrive here if you are motivated collaborative and passionate about providing an excellent service to enable our researchers to do amazing work.

The Research Strategy Development & Impact Directorate is responsible for ensuring the University is ideally placed to capitalise on strategic opportunities. Drawing on horizon scanning and in collaboration with University and College Leads they develop implement and take overall responsibility for the delivery of initiatives in support of the University's Research and Innovation Strategy. They catalyse and deliver key activities to enhance research development performance and impact underpinning Edinburgh’s place at the forefront of the sector. They work externally with key funders and partners in the UK and internationally to amplify Edinburgh's research connections and influence. Internally they work in partnership with researchers the Colleges Edinburgh Innovations Edinburgh Global Communications & Marketing and Development & Alumni to ensure a joinedup approach to achieving strategic research and innovation goals.

The Research Strategy Team are responsible for developing and driving forward a range of strategic research initiatives that align to the successful delivery of the University’s Research and Innovation Strategy. The team work on a portfolio of Universitylevel strategic projects which include aspects of: research strategy development and delivery learning and development for research funding interdisciplinary and missionled support. All of which is informed by the delivery of horizon scanning sectoral policy influencing and response as well as an overview of research development.

About Us

As a worldleading researchintensive University we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a valuesled approach to teaching research and innovation and through the strength of our relationships both locally and globally.