Research Network Manager

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and the Department

Durham University, in collaboration with Newcastle and Edinburgh Universities, has recently been awarded an EPSRC research networking grant "Net-Zero Enabling Electrical Engineering" to build a strong community in electrical engineering research that will support the successful development of future net-zero technologies.

The Research Network Manager will work closely with the Network Leadership Team (a group of four engineering academics) and our advisory board to manage and develop the research network's activities and operations including:

• Organising a range of networking events (workshops, an annual conference, advisory board meetings, etc.)
• Leading our processes for awarding funding Producing publicity and communication materials, and coordinating report and presentation writing
• Managing the network's finances (with support from our finance team)
• Identifying opportunities for network development and improvement

You will be an integral part of the network and its success, leading positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and external stakeholders from other universities, the engineering industry and funding bodies.

You will be an organised and effective communicator who can contribute imaginative ideas and creativity to engage people and organisations with our research.

This is a part time role and we are very open to discussing working arrangements (including working days and hours, and flexible working) with the successful candidate. It is expected the postholder will primarily work in-person within the Department of Engineering.

The successful applicant will become part of the University's Research Project Manager Network, providing them with role-specific support, training and resources.

This fixed term appointment is until 31st December 2026 and is available to start at any time up but ideally no later than 1st January 2025.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

The Department of Engineering consistently stands as one of the foremost engineering departments in the UK, renowned for its exceptional performance in teaching, research, and the successful career paths of its students. Its impressive achievements include a 4th rank in the Complete University Guide 2025, 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and 6th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 for General Engineering in the UK. The Department also secured a position within the top six UK departments in the REF 2021 assessment, with an outstanding publication rating of 4* and 3*.

This vibrant Department offers an outstanding work environment and is committed to growth, aiming for an expansion of over 50% in the next five years. The growth plan entails a substantial boost in the research challenge portfolio and a dedicated effort to enhance undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programs. Joining this thriving Department at present offers an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly.

The Department proudly holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, a testament to its dedication to promoting diversity in STEM academics and fostering a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.

• The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have generous free parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community

• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.

• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Experience of coordinating events, networking activities or similar, possibly within an engineering, science or academic environment.

2. Experience of leading or coordinating diverse teams.

3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and involvement in making positive changes to how a team operates.

4. Experience of discussing and sharing good practice and building positive and productive relationships.

5. Experience of writing reports, summaries or presentations.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6. Confident spoken and written communication skills.

7. Competence with tools such as Microsoft applications for effective communication and organisation.

8. Commitment to your own continuing professional development.

9. An ability to solve problems, to decide on solutions and to take appropriate action.

10. Confidence when providing advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit
• A CV: and
• A brief (one page) supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you feel you fit the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Professor Christopher Crabtree (c.j.crabtree@durham.ac.uk).

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development
• Lead the organisation and management of the N-ZEEE research network under the guidance of the Network Leadership Team and Network Advisory Board.
• Manage the delivery of the N-ZEEE Network and its associated activities to a high standard.
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Look for ways to improve the Network's reach, effectiveness and impact across all areas of your work.
• Determine strategies and requirements for effective network communication and engagement, including website development and regular and targeted communication.
• Organise, attend and contribute to network events and activities to enable visibility of the role and the network management.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to the operation of the network, based on your professional area of expertise, in line with the University's policies, regulations and values.
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from project leads (academic staff) and collaborators and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and regulations.
• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
• Identify any learning needs that should be met by [the service] and design activities and arrange any training.

Planning and Organisation
• Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by the N-ZEEE Network.
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of the N-ZEEE Network.
• Seek feedback from key stakeholders so that N-ZEEE can adapt and respond to stakeholder expectations and to plan future activities and requirements.
• Analyse information on the success, reach and impact of N-ZEEE to recommend areas for future improvement and to feed into network reporting.
• Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison
• Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related activity (such as setting agendas, producing minutes and following-up actions).
• Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
• Respond to external factors that might affect the network or its operation.
• Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

SECONDMENT
The post is part time, fixed term until 31st December 2026 and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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