Research and Impact Services Officer in Plymouth

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Project Manager (Research and Impact Services Officer – RISO) to join Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) on a 1-year fixed-term appointment. This is a chance to play a hands-on role in delivering ambitious international marine and environmental research projects, working alongside world-class scientists and partners to help turn excellent science into real-world impact.

The successful candidate will work across two exciting EU-funded projects, including SAFESEA, a major international initiative focused on helping society understand, manage and adapt to the growing threat of ocean acidification. This is a fantastic opportunity to support science that will inform policy, strengthen climate adaptation and help protect marine ecosystems and the services they provide.

You will be at the heart of project delivery, helping to coordinate activities, keep partners connected, support reporting and evidence gathering, and make sure outputs are delivered to a high standard. You will need to be confident managing competing priorities, working independently and bringing people together across scientific, policy and stakeholder communities.

By joining the Integrated Research, Impact and Support Services (IRISS) group at PML, you will become part of a small, collaborative and agile team that plays a vital role in supporting excellent research and maximising its influence beyond academia. As a RISO, you will act as a key link between scientists, funders, partners and stakeholders, helping projects stay on track, on budget and focused on outcomes that matter.

A scientific background is desirable but not essential. What matters most is proven project management experience, excellent communication and organisational skills, and the confidence to support complex, collaborative projects with enthusiasm and attention to detail.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is a dynamic, innovative, and independent centre of excellence providing research and advice on coastal and ocean science, both globally and locally. As a registered charity and NERC Collaborative Centre, PML has been at the forefront of the UK’s strategic marine science capability for over 30 years, collaborating with universities and research institutes across the UK and around the world.

• Manage delivery of research projects where PML is lead partner or co-partner, ensuring activities, milestones, deliverables and reporting requirements are completed to a high standard and on time.
• Monitor project schedules, work plans and budgets, including partner expenditure and financial records, to support effective delivery and compliance with funder requirements.
• Act as a key point of contact between funders, steering committees, project partners, third parties and scientific management teams, ensuring information is shared clearly and promptly.
• Support Principal Investigators by coordinating meetings, maintaining project documentation, preparing reports and recording accurate minutes and actions.
• Lead the organisation of project meetings and external events, including those involving senior stakeholders, partners and policy audiences.
• Support the generation, monitoring and evidencing of research impact, including impact pathways, case studies, award nominations and contributions to the PML Impact Strategy.
• Contribute to IRISS through effective communication, knowledge sharing, process improvement and input to group strategy.
• Work closely with internal PML teams, including Science Areas, Communications, Finance and Contracts, to ensure joined-up project delivery.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder and contact databases, ensuring appropriate data management and adherence to GDPR.
• Support innovative approaches to stakeholder and policy mapping, including tracking opportunities to maximise impact through government inquiries and consultations.
• Support broader IRISS activities, including funding proposal development, research impact monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement of research support processes.

Skills Specification:

• Project management and delivery: Proven project management experience, preferably on European Commission-funded projects such as Horizon Europe, with the ability to manage several concurrent projects, respond to shifting priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Funding and reporting: Experience of working with major research funders such as ESA, Horizon Europe and UKRI, including project reporting and supporting proposal preparation.
• Financial and administrative oversight: Proven ability to manage and work to budgets, and to handle different types of project information, including scientific, financial and legal material.
• Communication and collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with experience of working with overseas partners and drawing together diverse stakeholder groups.
• Events and engagement: Experience organising conferences, events or large meetings, and supporting stakeholder engagement activity.
• Research impact: Experience of research impact approaches, including generating, monitoring and evidencing impact.
• Personal effectiveness: A proactive approach, strong initiative and the confidence to drive projects forward, encourage others and seek support when needed.
• Travel: Willingness to travel internationally as required for project meetings and events.

Interviews for this position will be on the 15th and 16th of September; as part of the interview, candidates will be asked to present for 5 minutes on “Managing Projects for Impact: Priorities, Evidence, and Partner Challenges”. This is a 1 year fixed term appointment. Our preference is to appoint a candidate on a full-time basis to provide continuity, consistency and maximise the impact of the role. We welcome applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. We are committed to considering requests for alternative working patterns in line with business needs and applicable employment legislation, and encourage candidates to discuss any flexibility requirements with us.

Please note that this position is a Hybrid role that will require at least 50% of the jobholder’s time to be spent in our Offices. We are not able to support fully remote working for this role.

PML is a Disability Confident employer, and we have recently attained the Investors in Diversity Silver accreditation. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, where all can succeed based on merit, and will provide any reasonable adjustments required to enable this. To support staff from all backgrounds, we offer a range of family-friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and staff engagement forums.