Research Officer - SAPEA

Advert

Research Officer (SAPEA)
School of Biosciences 

An exciting opportunity is available to work in the field of scientific advice for policy. The Science for Policy Officer plays a key role in the effective delivery of Cardiff University’s responsibilities in the SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) project. SAPEA is part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism and undertakes evidence reviews that inform European policymaking. The work is delivered by the Academia Europaea Cardiff Knowledge Hub, hosted at Cardiff University.  The postholder will join the Hub’s small team of professional staff.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience of working on research-based projects. They should be able to coordinate projects and carry out desk research, as well as setting up and maintaining the necessary systems and processes. They should have strong communication skills, particularly editorial experience. The postholder should also demonstrate their ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, to plan and set priorities for their work and to monitor the overall progress of projects.

This position is part-time-time, 17.5 hours per week and fixed term until 31st December 2024. 

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Salary: £32,332 - £34,980 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 5).
Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 5.25, currently £32,332 per annum, pro-rata. 

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Date closed: Wednesday, 17 April 2024

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University  

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

The postholder will play a key role in the effective delivery of Cardiff University’s responsibilities in the SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) project, which undertakes evidence reviews to inform European policymaking.  The postholder will join the small team of the Academia Europaea Cardiff Hub, where the SAPEA work is delivered.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The postholder will play a key role in ensuring the effective delivery of Academia Europaea Cardiff’s responsibilities in the SAPEA project, by:

• Coordinating each evidence review that is led by Academia Europaea Cardiff, producing a project plan and ensuring delivery on-time and to-budget. Contributing to evidence reviews led by other SAPEA partners.
• Establishing effective working relationships with external contacts appropriate to each evidence review.  These include international academic experts, SAPEA colleagues, officials at the European Commission and members of the European Group of Chief Scientific Advisors.
• Overseeing the nomination and recruitment of academic experts for each working group set up for SAPEA’s evidence reviews.
• Managing the quality assurance processes for each evidence review, identifying any conflicts of interest and introducing appropriate measures, when needed
• Managing each working group, including organising meetings, acting as the secretariat and monitoring progress against the project plan and timeline, taking corrective action where necessary
• Managing the peer review process for each evidence review report, including organising at least one expert workshop
• Assembling the draft evidence review reports and preparing documents for publication, by undertaking editorial work, proofing drafts and compiling annexes.
• Drafting board papers, progress reports, impact indicators and other documentation relating to the deliverables in the SAPEA project, ensuring stakeholders are regularly informed of progress.
• Contributing to the outreach programme for each published SAPEA evidence review report, and gathering data on their impact
• Supporting marketing and communications activities (including Twitter and other social media) to promote the SAPEA reports, adhering to University and SAPEA guidelines in their use.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE: When submitting your supporting statement, you must provide evidence as to how you meet each of the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria below. We suggest that you do so by using each of the criteria as sub-headings, providing written evidence of your relevant skills underneath. Before uploading this attachment, please ensure that you include ****BR within the filename.
Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

At least degree/NVQ4 or equivalent professional membership/experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Substantial experience of working in a project coordination/management role, with the ability to give appropriate guidance and advice to external stakeholders, particularly in the academic and policy communities

Able to demonstrate professional knowledge of the  scientific or research sector and having a good understanding of grant-funded project work

Ability to set up and use standard office/project systems and procedures and make improvements, as appropriate.

Ability to demonstrate bibliographic skills, with experience of using library databases and the ability to undertake referencing

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

Experience of effective project management, specifically demonstrating the ability to work unsupervised to deadlines; planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others, monitoring progress against a plan and taking appropriate corrective actions when needed

Customer Service, Communication and Teamworking

Evidence of the ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide audience

Demonstrable ability to work well in a team, build professional networks and collaborate with external partners and colleagues

Desirable Criteria

Postgraduate/professional qualification

Experience of working in a higher education environment

Experience of working with international partners

Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

An understanding of policymaking and the role of scientific advice

Additional Information

This role may occasionally require international travel; therefore it is expected that the appointed candidates can undertake occasional overseas travel when needed (within Europe).

Job Category

Admin / Clerical