Operations Officer (Research) in Sheffield

The University of Sheffield's Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) is a leading UK facility advancing low‑carbon energy solutions. It houses one of Europe's largest pilot‑scale research centres, specialising in hydrogen, bioenergy, carbon capture and sustainable aviation fuels. The EIC is a dynamic hub of innovation, driving progress toward the UK's net‑zero goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide one‑to‑one support for Principal Investigators and their research portfolios in line with university and funder guidelines.
• Act as a key interface between PI, Research and Partnerships and Innovation, Faculty Research Hubs, Marketing & Communications, and Finance, supporting the management of research funding, outputs and impact.
• Support academic colleagues in planning, control and optimisation of project portfolios, flagging concerns that may risk delivery.
• Maintain records such as timesheets and other management information to support reporting of deliverables and audit requirements.
• Serve as the point of contact for researchers applying for ethics review, providing administrative support and escalating queries to appropriate colleagues.
• Arrange, attend and service research meetings, collate paperwork and take minutes as required.
• Provide administrative support for export control, advise on sign‑posting to RPI colleagues.
• Plan and coordinate events and opportunities to engage non‑academic audiences with the Centre's research and its societal contribution.
• Organise and host occasional visits from funding bodies and potential industrial partners.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications officer to promote research through social media, website, brochures, events, etc.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Previous experience in a professional role, ideally within a higher education or similar environment.
• Experience of motivating and communicating with a team of staff.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with accuracy and attention to detail, and experience communicating with diverse audiences.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, plan and progress work activities within required deadlines.
• Working knowledge of key funder guidelines (EPSRC, Innovate).
• A creative and flexible approach to problem‑solving, appreciating long‑term implications.
• Experience of high‑quality administrative and business support within a complex organisation, including evidence of implementing service improvements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive issues appropriately.
• Excellent customer‑service skills, responding efficiently and effectively to enquiries.
• Experience of working flexibly and collegially to achieve strategic aims.
• Desirable: experience of using project‑management software tools (e.g. Trello).

Further Information

• Grade: 6
• Salary: £32,080–£36,636, with potential to progress to £39,906
• Work arrangement: Full‑time
• Duration: Open‑ended
• Line manager: MAC School Manager
• Direct reports: Operations Assistant
• Website: https://eic.sheffield.ac.uk

Benefits

• Minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro‑rata) with the ability to purchase additional days.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, dining and travel.
• Staff networks providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g. Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond.
• A commitment to development: access to learning and mentoring schemes, integrated with the Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies, including: paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies; access to menopause support in the workplace; paid time off and support for fertility treatment; and more.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Sheffield is a Disability Confident Leader. Where you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job, you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. The University recognises the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examines each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.