Research Culture Project Manager

Job id: 081265. Salary: £43,205 - £50,585 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 14 December 2023. Closing date: 08 January 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: Faculty Management Services.

Contact details:Louise Pacelli. [email protected]

Location: Guy's Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

At King’s, we continuously strive to be an inclusive, culturally aware and culturally competent organisation that respects the differences of our community by providing an environment that both acknowledges and celebrates diversity and embraces inclusion.

The Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine (FoLSM) is an internationally renowned centre of excellence in biomedical sciences, situated in the heart of London. We undertake ground-breaking research, basic science to translational, to improve the wellbeing of our communities, and engage with organisations around the world to create real value for society. There are presently nearly 500 academic staff, nearly 800 research staff and over 700 professional services staff within the Faculty. We have over 7000 students pursuing an extensive range of undergraduate programmes (including medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, biosciences, biomedical engineering) as well as masters and PhD programmes.

This is a new role within FoLSM working across the Faculty Research and People and Culture teams. If successful, you will support FoLSM to deliver a research culture project with the strategic goal to foster an open, flexible and inclusive environment, where all staff and students feel included. Specifically, the project focuses on capitalising on existing good practice and resources to consolidate and enhance our research staff support and embed this provision consistently across all our Departments and Schools. 

Working with the Faculty Research Manager and Vice Deans, Research and Impact and People and Culture, you will be responsible for implementing a programme of research culture activities across the faculty focussing on improving career development for research staff. As Research Culture Project Manager, you will create clear ownership, expertise and accountability for delivery of initiatives and improvements to research culture. You will also work with the King’s central Research Culture team, the Centre for Research Staff Development, and similar posts in other faculties to ensure King’s initiatives are communicated and embedded within FoLSM and that examples of best practice are shared across the college.

It is an exciting time to join the team as we work towards establishing an open, positive, and inclusive research culture within FoLSM and across King’s. This role is a great opportunity if you are an energetic, enthusiastic, and collaborative worker interested in expanding your knowledge around research culture and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Higher Education.

We particularly welcome applications from you if you identify as being from a racialised or ethnic minority or have a disability; these characteristics are currently under-represented at the FoLSM.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract until April 2027.

This is a full-time post. However, applications for part-time or job-shares will be considered.

Project manage the implementation of research culture programme, co-ordinating a multicomponent programme to enhance research culture;

• Consult and collaborate with stakeholders on the research culture programme
• To work with colleagues within and beyond the faculty to introduce embed new processes and develop resources;
• Identify, develop and disseminate case studies of best practice.  
• Be a champion for positive research culture initiatives within FoLSM and lead initiatives that achieve a greater sense of ownership of research culture within the faculty; 

Communication and Engagement

• Build relationships with core academic, research and professional services staff across FoLSM and King’s to maximise engagement in key priorities;
• Work with Schools, Faculty and central Professional Services teams to ensure accurate and equivalent research culture information is included within FoLSM staff induction processes;
• Lead on the organisation of a range of staff and student events that celebrate and educate Open Research practices and positive research culture;
• Participate in relevant committees and networks across FoLSM and King’s.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Review/monitor/evaluate efforts to programme’s effectiveness, examining changes in research culture awareness;
• Alongside the Faculty Research Manager, assist the faculty in its preparations for the People, Culture and Environment component of REF 2028;
• Identify the impact of existing initiatives and monitor the impact of new initiatives using a range of methods.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Shortlisting will be based on the below criteria. However, we understand that applicants will have unique combinations of skills and experience and therefore encourage you to apply if you meet a selection of the below criteria. 

Desirable criteria

Interviews will be held on 26th January 2024.  The interview will involve a presentation, followed by standard interview questions.