Job Description

Job Title:

Research Support Officer

Posting Start Date:

30/10/2025

Job Id:

1773

School/Department:

Faculty of Engineering

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary per annum ():

27,319 - 31,236

Closing Date:

13/11/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

You will be an integral member of a Faculty research support team, based in a hub cluster working across a group of departments and will report to one of the Research Hub Managers.



You will support and assist with a variety of research support activities including routine research costings and grant applications, committee servicing, minute and report writing, contracts facilitation, ensuring smooth set up of successful research applications and support for other research information systems such as the University Costing Tool.

Main duties and responsibilities

Undertake routine costings and provide support for research applications, including knowledge of funder application systems. Contribute to the smooth set up of successful grants working with Pricing and Contracts teams from Research, Partnerships and Innovation (RPI) and Faculty Finance as appropriate. Support administrative processes related to REF preparation and submission. Support the ethics process of the University for PGRs/staff, liaising closely with the Ethics Advisor and RPI as required. Update and maintain on a regular cycle appropriate systems and databases to support research activity including The University Costing Tool and Academic Metrics Assist with the organisation and support a range of research related events. Develop and maintain relevant Google workspaces, internal and external webpages and content as required. Run routine reports to enable, for example, monitoring grant application rates, attendance and engagement to assist with planning. Act as a first point of contact and assistance for queries regarding the data included in systems such as Academic Metrics. Provide support to Faculty/Departmental Research Committees including collating papers and agendas as required. Maintain close links with Research Services and other Professional Services departments to ensure processes are aligned with University requirements. As a member of our Professional staff, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework. Please follow this link for further information: Sheffield Professional Framework. NOTE: this link doesn't work externally. As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible. Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post. NDA/Consultancy/MoUs requests as required by the School

Provide support to a portfolio of research applications which will include the preparation of budget information, administrative information within application forms, checking of funder requirements and coordinating the submission process.

Person Specification

You should provide evidence in your application that you meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure your abilities in these areas including reviewing your online application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Educated to A level standard (or equivalent qualifications/work experience)




Essential


A good honours degree or equivalent experience




Desirable


Practical experience of working with finance and/or budgets and excellent standard of numeracy




Essential


Previous experience of working in a research support environment within the higher education sector




Desirable


Ability to exercise judgement within a framework of guidance and procedures




Essential


Excellent customer service skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to both email and phone enquiries




Essential


Experience of an aptitude for working with systems and databases, including accurate data entry and basic data reporting




Essential


Effective communication skills, both written and verbal to explain complex information to a range of audiences.




Essential


Experience of working effectively as a team and independently




Essential


Excellent organisational and time management skills with an ability to prioritise own workload and work accurately to tight deadlines and manage a demanding workload




Essential


Excellent IT skills: knowledge of Microsoft Office to an advanced level, in particular use of Google Workspace, Word, Excel, email




Essential


Ability to learn quickly, to assimilate new information and apply it to different situations




Essential


Have a proactive approach and an ability to adapt to changing work priorities




Essential


Ability to form positive working relationships with colleagues at different levels of the organisation




Essential


An understanding of the Research Excellence Framework and the University systems which support it




Desirable


An understanding of research ethics and the University systems and processes to support it




Desirable

Further Information

Grade

5

Salary

27,319 - 31,236

Work arrangement

Full-time / Hybrid

Duration

Permanent


For informal enquiries about this job contact Laura Platt, Faculty Research Manager: on

l.platt@sheffield.ac.uk

or on 07395 282801

Next steps in the recruitment process

The selection process will consist of an interview. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Matthew Jacobs on matthew.jacobs@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.