Administrative Assistant to the Director of Research in Oxford

Administrative Assistant to the Director of Research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY.

This is a part time (50% FTE), fixed term position for 3 years. The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching. The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Dustin research group at the Kennedy Institute focuses on understanding the immunological synapse and are active in publishing papers on this exciting new area of research. The group is led by Professor Michael Dustin, who also manages the Institute’s Career Development Programme and the recruitment of new principal investigators to the programme.

What We Offer:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role:

We are offering an exciting opportunity for an Administrative Assistant to join the Dustin Group at the Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences. In this role you will manage the diary of Prof Mike Dustin, Director of Research, using initiative to make considered judgements when juggling the demands placed on the schedule. You will be responsible for assisting the Director of Research in running the Career Development Programme including important dates and organizing reviews. You will provide cover for the administration office as required and act as the first point of contact for visitors. Dealing effectively with postal correspondence, telephone calls, emails and faxes, diverting such correspondence to other staff where appropriate, replying to a range of issues on behalf of the Director of Research, Prof Mike Dustin, or researching and preparing information/drafting replies.

About You:

You must be educated to A-level standard, or have equivalent experience and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and accurately both verbally and in writing. You will have demonstrable experience of diary management, including making complex travel arrangements together with the ability to draft correspondence and to produce well-presented reports. You will have demonstrable experience of using your own initiative to resolve problems and the ability to manage and prioritise a varied and busy workload and work to deadlines. You will be proficient in audio/touch typing and have excellent computer skills including: email, Word, Excel and the internet. Experience of using financial information systems (e.g. Oracle Financials) as well as experience of events organisation is desirable.

The closing date for applications is 12pm 31 August 2026.