Job Description

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 47,389 to 56,535 with potential progression once in post to 63,606


Grade: 8


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 14th October 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

Research Strategy & Services Division

The University is one of the UK's leading research-intensive institutions, committed to delivering outstanding research and fostering strong partnerships with industry. As part of this commitment, the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) provides integrated, end-to-end support for research & innovation activities, bringing together professionals in a vibrant community of connected teams.

Trusted Research Team

The Trusted Research Team is a specialist function within the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD), providing expert support on the legal and regulatory dimensions of secure and responsible research. The team plays a central role in helping the University navigate complex frameworks such as Export Control, the National Security & Investment Act, the Nagoya Protocol, and research-related due diligence. Working closely with senior academic leaders and colleagues across RSSD, the team advises on individual cases, contributes to the development of institutional policies, and leads training and awareness activities. Its work is central to strengthening the University's research control environment and supporting a proportionate, risk-based approach to regulatory compliance.

Role Summary

The Trusted Research Partner (TRP) will play a leading role in shaping and supporting the University's approach to research security and compliance. Reporting to the Assistant Director RSSD (Head of Contracts Policy & Compliance) and working closely with the College Hub Leadership Teams, the TRP will provide expert advice on key regulatory frameworks, including Export Control, the National Security & Investment Act, the Nagoya Protocol and due diligence. This senior post will support the development of policy and practice across RSSD, contribute to institutional training and risk mitigation, and work in close partnership with senior academic leaders. The role is particularly suited to candidates with experience of supporting STEM disciplines in a research support or governance setting, and who are confident in engaging with scientific content and advising on regulatory considerations in a dynamic, research-intensive environment.

Main duties

Work closely with the Assistant Director RSSD and College Hub leadership teams to shape and embed the University's internal framework for Trusted Research. This includes developing practical tools and policies to support compliance with legislation such as Export Control, the Nagoya Protocol, and funder due diligence requirements. Act as a key contact for Trusted Research queries--reviewing cases, supporting referrals to ECJU and RCAT, and drafting export licence applications where needed. Offer clear, pragmatic advice to senior academic and professional services leaders on risks and possible mitigations linked to international collaborations, data security, and strategic contracts. Take a lead role in reviewing and refining processes, ensuring that policies remain responsive to emerging risks and regulatory changes. Proactively liaise with stakeholders to maintain up-to-date guidance and demonstrable compliance across all core areas of the Trusted Research agenda. Help to build the University's understanding of research security through institution-wide training and tailored guidance. Work closely with academic and professional services colleagues to raise awareness of regulatory requirements in a way that supports responsible international collaboration. Maintain strong working relationships with colleagues across RSSD and key services such as Birmingham Global, Legal Services, and Development and Alumni Relations. Remain well-connected to developments in legislation and good practice, and contribute to internal networks that foster joined-up, collegiate approaches to research risk management. Support the development of light-touch tracking and reporting mechanisms to capture the volume, nature, and outcomes of Trusted Research referrals. Contribute to high-quality internal papers, briefings, and reports to inform decision-making and strengthen the University's control environment. Deputise for the Assistant Director RSSD when required, providing representation and expert input in internal and external meetings. Contribute to strategic initiatives and change programmes related to Trusted Research and regulatory compliance. Actively support the University's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion by contributing to a respectful and enabling working culture across RSSD. Undertake any other tasks commensurate with the level of the role, as required from time to time.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Educated to degree level or with equivalent professional experience gained in a research-intensive or regulatory environment. Proven experience of supporting academic research in a governance, compliance, or risk management role, ideally within STEM disciplines. Experience of providing senior specialist support to complex issues relating to legal compliance and regulatory functions including assessing risk, with an ability to disseminate that expertise to others to ensure understanding and compliance at all levels of the University. Proven ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences, and to produce and analyse source material, information and data. Authoritative knowledge of the geopolitical issues impacting the UK and/or overseas research funding environment, including broader sector/commercial awareness. Substantial experience of engaging, and collaborating, with internal and external stakeholders in matters relating to regulatory and contractual compliance, Excellent interpersonal and management skills, with proven experience of managing complex processes and engaging with peers and staff who are not direct reports. Excellent analytical skills with an ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information and present conclusions clearly and concisely. Judgement and proven problem-solving skills that will help to identify and implement improvements and efficiencies across the service area and beyond. Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders. Highly proficient IT skills, including the MS Office suite. Confident and able to quickly learn new IT skills and software packages as required. High level of self-motivation and personal accountability with ability to plan and deliver goals to deadlines under pressure. Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Role context

Roles at this level provide authoritative professional advice and opinion across a range of activities and/or will lead and manage diverse team(s) and resources. You will use your professional skills to resolve problems where the solution is not immediately apparent. Significant evaluation and independent thought is therefore required to resolve ambiguity. You will have wide discretion to decide on direction whilst ensuring activities are broadly consistent with operational policies. You will be able to influence policy through advising on the impact of policy change and implementation in your area of work. You will need to assess the impact of your activities across your area, with related areas and to ensure they fit with the broader objectives of the University.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the following core competencies/transferable skills in each of the areas shown below. You will be expected to take ownership for getting things done, including calling on or joining others to assist. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

provide professional expertise, and manage resources and/or a diverse team; integrate and co-ordinate work across different parts of the department/university; lead and manage staff who are likely to be carrying out diverse duties, and ensure collaborative working to deliver a successful service; project manage activities to facilitate major changes; develop policy within functional guidelines, and contribute to strategic development within own area; be accountable for the quality and professionalism of service delivery, with an appreciation of longer term issues.

Problem solving and decision making

anticipate, interpret and assess customer needs, identifying trends, generating original ideas and testing innovative solutions; deal with significant people management issues such as change programmes; resolve issues which may not have arisen before through use of experience and judgement.

Organisational understanding

have an excellent understanding of your own working area and a broad understanding of the contribution other areas make to the success of the University; have an excellent understanding of how the University operates, together with an understanding of how academia operates in the UK; demonstrate empathy with the academic endeavour and seek to encourage others to do so.

Relationships and communication

use coaching skills to motivate and develop staff; proactively and sensitively manage the performance of their team and create a motivating environment; influence others (including across the University) to follow a particular course of action; represent the department at internal and external meetings/events/network with colleagues in other institutions to share best practice.

Please attach your CV to your application.

Informal enquiries to Dr Amelia Petch, email: a.petch@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

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