In this blog post, Jonathan Rans, Head of Strategic Research Development, shares news of an exciting opportunity to join Edinburgh Research Office’s Strategic Research Development team, to deliver analysis of the funding and academic landscape informing design and delivery of strategic initiatives for the University.
We have a job opening in Edinburgh Research Office’s (ERO) Strategic Research Development team for a Strategic Research Executive (SRE.) Regardless of whether you are currently looking for a new role or not, I would encourage you to take a look at the details and consider applying or pass it on to others you may know who would be a good fit for the team.
The closing date for this job opportunity is 05/02/2024, 23:59. You can access the formal job description and specifications via the job advert linked below but here I will describe some of the context and outline what we are looking for in the successful candidate.
The SRD team currently contains seven Strategic Research Executives, some with specific focuses such as International Development, Analytics, Research Development or Research Policy. In addition there are three SREs with a flexible focus, of which this post is one. The SRE role is one that is designed for people with a varied background and skillset. We are most interested in finding a candidate with skills that are complementary to the rest of the team, rather than having a fixed idea of the particular career path that leads to this role.
The SRE will work on time-limited, output-focused, strategic projects which will ultimately enable the University to better position itself to win research funding. The focus of these projects will be varied, you can expect to work on projects which will utilise your existing skills and experience but you will also work on projects that will challenge you to learn and may push you outside of your comfort zone.
The SRE will be expected to independently scope, evidence and design interventions which enhance the ability of our researchers, research leaders and professional services colleagues to secure research funding. Although you will operate independently, we are an intensely collaborative team. You will work successfully not only with colleagues in SRD and other teams within ERO but also across the University, with partners in Edinburgh Innovations, the Institute for Academic Development and Edinburgh Global to name just a few.
Projects that the SRE will work on will be drawn from areas of the Strategic Research Development team’s interest and might include activities such as:
- Enabling interdisciplinary research
- Developing a horizon scanning capability
- Supporting collaboration within thematic research areas
- Analysing complex data from multiple sources to identify gaps and opportunities for research development
- Delivering activities aligned with the University’s Research and Innovation strategy
The Strategic Research Development team is an open and supportive environment and welcomes creativity and diversity in its members. If you are interested in the role and would like to discuss it informally before applying you can contact me, Jonathan Rans (Head of SRD).
The closing date for this job opportunity is 05/02/2024, 23:59.
