Research Officer

Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) is one of the largest communities of Area Studies scholars anywhere in the world. This vibrant and dynamic University department has research and teaching programmes dedicated to Africa, China, Latin America, the Middle East, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe, South Asia and Comparative Area Studies. The School welcomes students from all around the globe and offers seven MSc Degrees, six MPhil degrees, a DPhil in Area Studies, as well as the Oxford 1+1 MBA with Saïd Business School. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join OSGA as the Research Officer on a full-time and 3-year fixed-term contract basis. The post might also be offered as a job share (2 x 18.25 hours, 50% FTE each).

About the Role:

The Research Officer is a wide-ranging and important supportive role in the Research Facilitation Team at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA).

Under the supervision of the Research Manager, the successful post-holder will assist in the School’s pre-award research activities, the School’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) Submission and coordinate the administrative activities of OSGA’s Departmental Research Ethics Committee (DREC). Further responsibilities will include: support the preparation of funding applications to strict deadlines, maintaining records of grants applications for workflow and reporting purposes, communicating with researchers about funding opportunities, call criteria, deadlines, department and university processes, liaising with the Research Manager to ensure that successful grant applications are smoothly, promptly and efficiently handed-over from pre- to post-award administrative team. They will also coordinate data gathering for REF including providing support for Open Access, Sympletic, and the School data review, act as a Secretary to OSGA’s Departmental Research Ethics Committee (DREC) and coordinate the Committee’s activities.

About You:

The post is very varied and stimulating, hence it will suit an enthusiastic and reliable individual who enjoys being part of a busy team in an environment of competing priorities. Applications are welcome from candidates with experience in an administrative support role, preferably in higher education or a similar field, who are able to handle and prioritise interpret and explain complex information to others.

Essential for the role are excellent computer literacy, accuracy and competence in drafting, proof-reading, formatting and correctness of information in relation to documents, websites, and office processes; including an ability to interpret and to explain complex information to others. The ability to work as a team member that is physically dispersed across different locations is a must for this role. Professional experience of working in Research Administration, familiarity with the University’s costing and pricing tool (X5); servicing committees, and website content maintenance are desirable.

Application Process: 

Applications are to be submitted via Oxford University’s website. When applying to this position, you will be required to upload a CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages addressing how you meet each of the selection criteria, as listed in the job description. Further details regarding the selection criteria and details on how to apply can be found in the attached job description. Informal enquiries are welcome: please email [email protected]. Any queries or matters that are not referred to in the job description/further particulars will be passed to the Research Manager. Please quote the vacancy reference 170387 in all your correspondence.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on16th February 2024. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered.

The interviews will be held in person as soon as possible after the closing date.

What We Offer:

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ well-being and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme and electric or ultra-low emission vehicle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, with a current expectation of at least 50% on-site work. The OSGA Professional Services offices are located in Oxford city centre, surrounded by its unique architecture, history and culture.

The University of Oxford holds an institutional Silver Athena Swan award, acknowledging the progress made in addressing a number of gender gaps across the University. Applications are particularly welcome from men and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in professional services in Oxford.