Job Description

The Department of Sociology seeks a project officer to support two exciting projects over the coming years: our Bronze reaccreditation application to Athena Swan and the Research Excellence Framework (REF). This is a developmental role, ideal for someone looking to build experience in project coordination and data analysis in a supportive environment.

As the REF and Athena SWAN Projects Officer, you will monitor progress towards the targets set out in the Department's Athena SWAN Action Plan and ensure that these actions are implemented. You will gather and analyse data, using this to write reports on progress against the actions and later, the draft of the Athena Swan Bronze renewal application due for submission in December 2026; take the lead in designing and implementing new initiatives which will contribute to the achievement of our Athena SWAN targets and broader equality and diversity goals (including the design and organisation of focus groups; to service and report to the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team).

You will also support the departmental Research Facilitator over a wide range of activities covering the organisation of the Department of Sociology's engagement with the REF 2029 exercise. Your work will have a key operational focus and will contribute to monitoring and evaluating the department's progress on each of the three REF elements: Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding (namely "outputs"), Engagement and Impact, and People, Culture and the Environment. This work on REF will intersect with broader work led by the Social Sciences Division on the implementation of the Research Culture Toolkit.

For both projects, you will undertake detailed analysis using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to monitor the progress and effectiveness of supporting actions and policies over time. This will require the sourcing, synthesis and analysis of information and undertaking detailed analysis of staff and student data. The data sources and themes of the two projects are expected to overlap, particularly during the Athena SWAN renewal period.

This role is offered at 0.6 FTE, with flexibility around start and end times to accommodate caring responsibilities. Hybrid working is available, and depending on work patterns staff are generally expected to be on site 50-60% of the time or a minimum of two days.

For a full list of responsibilities and selection criteria for this post, please view the job description below.

To apply, you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV, as well as the details of two referees as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

For informal enquiries about the posts, please email: nealam.balu@sociology.ox.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 midday UK time on Monday, 20 October 2025. Interviews are expected to take place in the week commencing 10 November 2025.