Researcher Development Specialist (PGR)

The postholder will lead on the delivery of an established strategic framework of initiatives to support postgraduate researcher education and development, as well as designing, piloting, evaluating and embedding new initiatives focused on creating positive culture change.

• Work across the Research Culture and Researcher Development portfolio, and in line with strategic priorities, to take a lead on planning, creating, supporting, delivering, quality assuring, and enhancing the annual programme of PGR development.

• Collaborate with University Services, College Graduate Schools, Schools, Supervisors and researchers to ensure awareness of the PGR Development Framework, themes, roles, and responsibilities and to advise on engagement.

• Lead on the development and maintenance of policies, guidance, digital resources and other materials related to PGR development, in support of the above.

• Oversee a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy (via committees, digital materials, events, and other creative and social media) to ensure awareness of projects and progress.

• Oversee successful delivery of pilot projects and new PGR development initiatives that align with the themes of the delivery framework. For example, current priorities include the design and implementation of improved synchronous and asynchronous support for vivas, supervisor-researcher relationships, transitions to research, research impact, careers beyond academia, anti-racism and anti-bullying in research, and research methods.

• Provide specialist input internally (for example to Doctoral Training Centres) and externally (collaborating with other Higher Education Institutions) to help develop bespoke training plans for funding applications,

• Line-manage two Researcher Development PGR Interns, and a PGR Development Administrator to deliver strategic internal and external projects related PGR development.

• Embed an approach to project scoping, planning and evaluation to enable GDPR compliant data gathering to inform annual reporting, impact analysis, and to meet all external reporting requirements.

• Develop and maintain strong personal internal and external networks to access intelligence and good practice from across the higher education sector, and where relevant, more broadly. Proactively analyse and provide targeted communications/intelligence as a credible advisor to allow appropriate action to be taken to support the development and delivery of research/er initiatives.

• Represent the Research Services Directorate at meetings, external groups, conferences, and seminars to keep up to date with developments and gain and share across the team information/knowledge of working practices in the higher education context.

• Be an effective team player who is cooperative, communicative and gains the trust and support of colleagues and partners through respectful collaboration and building consensus.

• Ensure that the Research Services mission is shared, understood and supported through consistent collation/storage of relevant data and supporting information and the regular updating of Research Services project status reports and portfolio web pages.

• Work in collaboration with the Research Services senior leadership team to progress the development of an efficient and responsive service within the framework of the University’s mission and strategies, processes, procedures, and systems. Contribute to team meetings, planning, joint initiatives and projects, and ongoing development of the team by sharing information in a timely manner and providing transparency in decision making.

• Proactively identify, undertake, and share opportunities for ongoing professional development, both for yourself and for colleagues the wider Research Culture and Researcher Development portfolio.

• Perform other duties as requested, consistent with the grade level of the position and agreeing appropriate prioritisation of work with line management or other relevant stakeholders as needed.

A1 Either: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent, (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related roles. Or: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different role(s).

A2 A detailed and up to date understanding of researcher development within the Higher Education landscape.

A3 Familiarity with theories on adult learning and instructional design, including virtual learning environments and online training.

A4 Understanding of the role of technology in supporting learning and familiarity with digital applications for communicating with researchers.

B1 PhD.

B2 Working knowledge of University of Glasgow structures, policies, IT systems, practices and procedures that relate to support for postgraduate researchers.

C1 Excellent communication and influencing skills, both written and oral.

C2 Excellent IT and relevant software skills and the ability to use them effectively in support of work activities.

C3 Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective relationships with staff and services both inside and outside the University, in particular to support development of new policies and practice to support researchers.

C4 The organisational, planning and administrative ability to deliver and report on short-term and longer-term projects that have multiple conflicting deadlines and involve coordination across multiple organisational units.

C5 Ability to deal professionally, sensitively and tactfully with staff and data, working in an ethical and legal manner in accordance with all relevant legislation (including GDPR).

C6 Ability to work collaboratively and responsibly as a member of various teams.

C7 Ability to undertake comprehensive evaluation of pilot projects and present evidence for strategic decision making.

C8 Self-motivation and the ability to work independently with minimum supervision.

C9 Influencing skills when working with others to implement service improvements.

D1 Web-editing and social media curation skills.

E1 Experience of developing, delivering and evaluating events, training, and other innovations in the sphere of professional and career development.

E2 Experience of developing online learning resources.

E3 Policy development, including consultation with key stakeholders and effective use of evidence to inform policy.

E4 Design and delivery of a communication strategy to increase awareness of initiatives, events or developments.

E5 Experience of managing projects with stakeholders from multiple organisational units.

E6 Experience of successfully overseeing the work of staff.

E7 Experience of managing data and producing reports (e.g. to funders and management).

F1 Experience of working with researchers across a wide range of disciplines.

F2 Experience of working with University committees, senior academics and managers.

Please contact Dr Joanna Royle (Joanna.Royle@glasgow.ac.uk), Researcher Development Manager, for more information about this post.

Salary will be Grade 7, £37,474 - £42,155 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open-ended.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/ , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.