Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
8770
Job title:
Research & Business Manager
Reports to:
Business Development Manager
Salary:
£37,012 - £44,166
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
8
Duration of post:
Permanent
Working hours:
Full Time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
28 February 2013
Type of application form accepted:
Long
Number of referees required:
Two
Unit recruitment contact:
Michelle Gallacher
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2. Summary of duties
This key post is the senior manager for research, enterprise and scholarship programme
support in the Faculty of Science which includes one of the University’s Research Centres
(CEPSAR), one emerging University Network (BRN) and a joint Science/MCT scholarship
centre, (eSTEeM).
The Research and Business Support Team is led by the Research and Business Manager
who has overall operational responsibility for the work of the office and line management
responsibility for its staff.
The post holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of administrative
policies, procedures, and systems in connection to research management, enterprise
development and scholarship activities, to meet the needs of the Faculty of Science. S/he
reports to the Business Development Manager and works with the Associate Dean (Research,
Enterprise & Scholarship) and Centre Directors in the establishment and implementation of the
Faculty’s strategy for sustaining research, enterprise and scholarship activities and in
contributing to the overall aim of achieving the highest grades in the next Research Excellence
Framework (REF) and growing the Faculty’s income. The post holder has key responsibility for
planning and resource issues, including the management of the Faculty’s research, enterprise
and scholarship budgets. Furthermore, the post holder is responsible for managing the Faculty
Research and Business Support Team which acts as a primary contact point for the University
and provides administrative resource to colleagues.
Key Tasks
1. Providing operational support to the Faculty in delivering administrative functions across all
research, enterprise and scholarship activities.
2. Managing the Research and Business Support Team, including recruitment, development
and work-planning.
3. Providing strategic support to the Business Development Manager, Associate Dean (RES)
and to Centre Director(s).
4. Assisting the Business Development Manager, Associate Dean (RES) and Centre
Directors with the management of Faculty budgets.
5. Secretary to the Science Research Committee.
6. Acting as a point of liaison for the Faculty in relation to research, enterprise and
scholarship programme management issues.
Main duties
1. Responsibility for the operational effectiveness of the Faculty’s Research and Business
Support Team and the provision of a high level of service to staff.
2. To undertake line management responsibilities for Research and Business Support Team
staff and oversee the line management responsibilities undertaken by other staff within the
Team. These responsibilities include workload management and performance of duties,
staff development needs and CDSA
3. To support the Business Development Manager, Associate Dean (RES) and Centre
Director(s) in the development of strategies and policies and the translation of these into
operational plans to meet the administrative objectives of the Faculty;
4. With the Business Development Manager, Associate Dean (RES) and Centre Director(s);
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prepare the Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship strategic plans for inclusion in
Science Faculty Unit Plan, including the preparation of papers for the Programme
Management/Steering Boards and other relevant meetings connected with this process.
5. To contribute to the development of the Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship
strategy by undertaking appropriate horizon scanning on behalf of the Faculty, liaising as
appropriate with Centre Directors and the Associate Dean (RES); providing an analysis of
the external environment’s impact for the Faculty; helping to fulfil targets associated with
external income by seeking out opportunities and major grant calls relevant to the
Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship interests and capabilities, and
disseminating these opportunities appropriately.
6. To lead the development of the Faculty’s systems and procedures to support strategic
priorities. This includes the provision of a range of management information including:
financial and other trend data; external grant activity; postgraduate students; the
development of records for the recording of REF data and other qualitative benchmarking
data; and the development of relevant performance indicators.
7. To oversee the management and coordination of the Faculty’s processes, procedures and
records associated with full-time Research studentships and to support the work of the
Deputy Associate Dean (Post-graduate Studies). This includes:
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establishing policies and procedures for the administration of postgraduate research
students
to supervise the work of the Faculty PGRS Coordinator to ensure that induction,
probation and progress monitoring reports are completed to schedule; follow up on any
cases where appropriate
liaising with the Research School about the ARC audit process, annual visits and
policy;
working with the Dean and DAD(PGS) to ensure that actions from the ARC
Management Group are followed up;
8. To ensure that the Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship profiles are presented to
the highest standard as follows:
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to oversee the development of Faculty and Centres’ web presence, both internal and
external, ensuring that it complies with relevant University and other policy on brand
presentation;
to advise on and oversee the implementation of revisions to the intranet site to support
information and dissemination and incorporate feedback from Faculty and Centre staff
on their needs in the areas of research, enterprise and scholarship
to oversee the implementation of revisions to the Science promotional materials to
ensure that they provide a positive and professional reflection of the Faculty’s
research, enterprise and scholarship activities;
9. To manage the Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship budgets and resources by:
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supervising the work of the Faculty Research Administrators both pre and post award
in relation to the support for the preparation of internal and external funding bids;
the provision of financial management information to the Business Development
Manager, Centre Directors and AD (RES) and other colleagues internal to and external
to the Faculty as required;
to support and monitor the Faculty’s Research and Business Support Team Staff Plan
and liaise closely with the Senior Faculty Administrator/Staffing Administrator as
appropriate;
to monitor the Faculty’s research, enterprise and scholarship budgets in liaison with
Research Administrators, Finance Administrators and the Unit Accountant to ensure
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outturn forecasts are prepared as required by the Finance Office, including financial
year-end statements.
10. Secretary to the Science Research Committee. This will involve the preparation of reports
and papers for committees and other meetings, representing the Faculty on working
groups, and ensuring that the Research and Business Support Team provide a complete
committee servicing function for the Faculty’s research, enterprise and Scholarship
activities as required;
11. To manage the professional relations with key external funding bodies, government
departments and other HEIs associated with in particular the post-award stage, liaising
with the Research Office, CLS and Accounts as appropriate to resolve queries and/or
problems on behalf of Faculty staff.
12. Such other responsibilities and activities as may be required by the Business Development
Manager and/or the Associate Dean (RES).
All staff are expected:
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to undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required
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to take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any other
person
who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
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to demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity
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3. Person specification
Essential Characteristics (it will be essential for the successful candidate to be able
to demonstrate evidence of the following):
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appropriate level of directly relevant administrative/management experience
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educated to degree level, or equivalent education
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ability to think strategically and manage change
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proven ability in financial management of complex budgets
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staff management and team leadership capabilities in establishing and motivating teams
and developing their skills
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excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills, with the ability to influence others over
whom there is no formal authority to take particular courses of action
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effective communication skills and the ability to express views and ideas both verbally
and in writing, including experience of report writing or preparing committee papers
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demonstrable organisational, planning and problem-solving skills, including ability to
anticipate and analyse problems and introduce workable solutions.
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team-working capabilities in collaborating with colleagues, managers and staff across
the organisation to ensure service excellence
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ability to work independently and use initiative, prioritise and work to deadlines whilst
remaining effective under pressure.
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experience of using IT systems, including spread sheets
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the ability to learn quickly, to be receptive to feedback, and to be self-reflective
Desirable Characteristics
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knowledge of UK research frameworks and issues
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experience of research grant funding and commercial activities
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evidence of engagement in partnering activities including delivery of presentations to
such partners
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knowledge/experience of the RAE/REF exercise
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
5. About the unit/department
Faculty of Science
The Faculty has a staff of about 300, comprising of around 115 academic staff (central
and regional/national) with the balance made up of research staff, curriculum managers,
laboratory staff, administrators and clerical staff. There are also varying numbers of
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research students and visiting academic staff.
The Faculty has three departments, each with constituent discipline groups:
Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems
 Earth Sciences
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Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
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Brain & Behavioural Sciences
Cell & Molecular Biology
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Chemistry & Analytical Sciences
Human Biology
Department of Physical Sciences
 Astronomy
 Physics
 Planetary & Space Sciences
Curriculum
The Faculty has developed an extensive range of modules using the Open University's
supported open learning teaching model. These modules contribute to a number of
qualifications such as the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences and the more general BSc
(Open) degree. In addition, the Faculty supports a number of diplomas and certificates
including interdisciplinary offerings with other faculties. Students can choose to study
any of our modules and qualifications at their own pace and are supported by tutors,
study advisers and on-line conferences. There are optional face to face tutorials for
some modules, but many of our modules are accessible entirely online and it is possible
to complete the whole Natural Sciences BSc degree in this way. This level of
accessibility means that the Faculty supports a large proportion of all the part-time
undergraduate degree studies undertaken in the UK.
In addition to our degree level programmes, the Faculty offers an innovative range of
Science Short Courses that are designed to provide a taster of Level 1 study for those
new to undergraduate study.
The Faculty also offers a Master's postgraduate degree programme with several taught
degrees including the first UK MSc to be accredited by the Council of Graduate Schools
as a Professional Science Master's.
The launch of a new suite of modules in Practical Science (S288) in February 2012
sees an exciting opportunity for engaging in practical science through online
environments and laboratory and field-based activities. The five modules reflect each of
the five major disciplines: chemistry and analysis (SXC288); environmental science
(SXE288); earth and environment (SXG288); biology and health (SXL288) and physics
and astronomy (SXP288). Two promotional videos outlining these new modules are
available to view - S288 Practical Science.
Research & Enterprise
The Faculty of Science undertakes a range of research across many scientific topics,
bringing together traditional scientific disciplines and new interdisciplinary areas through
two major research groupings:
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Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
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Astronomy
Environmental Change (Past, Present and Future)
Natural Hazards
Physics
Planetary Geosciences
Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Solar System Exploration
Biomedical Research Network
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Biomolecular Damage
Biopsychology
Cell Biology
Disease and Diagnostics
Neuroscience
Our research encompasses a wide range from 'blue skies' to applied research finding
solutions to specific scientific and technological problems.
These research activities are supported by world class laboratory facilities and
instrumentation and provide opportunities for full time PhD research studentships
supported by our own academics and post doctoral research fellows.
There are about 48,000 students studying our undergraduate and postgraduate science
modules, mainly based in the UK, but increasing numbers are studying online globally.
There are also several hundred PhD research students studying full time in our
laboratories at our campus in Milton Keynes or part time at partner institutions or
affiliated research centres.
We have over 4500 square metres of state-of-the-art research laboratories with major
research facilities that include:
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A recently opened facility for interdisciplinary research in ecosystems and
geobiology.
One of Europe’s leading centres for isotope mass spectrometry including
extensive radiogenic, noble gas and stable isotope mass spectrometry facilities
and a new £3 million microbeam facility, including a Cameca Nanosims ion
imaging system and dual beam FIB-SEM
Ultraclean spacecraft instrument testing and assembly, and for handling
planetary materials and returned extraterrestrial samples
A state-of-the-art life sciences research facility including biological containment
laboratories, molecular genetics and DNA-sequencing laboratories
Environmental and transmission electron microscopy
Hypervelocity Impact laboratory
Well equipped laboratories for research in atomic, molecular and plasma
research
Employers, Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics
(eSTEeM)
eSTEeM is an initiative to bring together academics within Science and the
Faculty of Maths, Computing and Technology to develop new approaches to
teaching and learning. This centre builds on existing collaborations developed
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within the Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) based at the
OU and with other Faculties, aiming to embed new approaches around priority
areas such as e-assessment, online experimentation, etc.
The Deanery
The Deanery is the administrative hub of the Faculty and comprises of three
teams:
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Curriculum Support
Faculty Administration
Research & Business Support
Comprising of the Dean, Associate Deans, administrative and support staff, the
Deanery manages the Faculty’s curriculum planning, module production and
presentation; finances; human resources; and cross Faculty management of the
research & enterprise activities.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Pam Barber on +44(0)1908 659371 or email pam.barber@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Michelle Gallacher
on +44 (0)1908 653485 or email science-recruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please complete the long application form, ensuring that your application reaches the
University by: Thursday 28 February 2013
E-mail your application to science-recruitment@open.ac.uk or post it to:
Name/Job title:
Michelle Gallacher, Staffing Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: Faculty of Science
Address:
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Pam Barber, Business Development Manager. The
other members of the interview panel will be advised. Interviews will take place mid-March.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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