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- Tasks: Coordinate and improve research project delivery in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join the University’s Rights Lab, a leader in modern slavery research.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, bonuses, training, and access to fitness facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration and a passion for research support.
- Other info: Friendly, diverse workplace with strong career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 24700 - 30500 £ per year.
Salary £29,740 to £36,446 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.
Area: Social Sciences
Location: University Park
Closing Date: Monday 16 February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: SOC224025X1
About the role
The role-holder will work within the Rights Lab’s Operational team as Senior Operations Officer (Research Administration). You will be part of an integrated team with responsibility for the coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of a range of research project delivery and activities. You will work flexibly, and have a can-do attitude to ensure the delivery of excellent and seamless support for Rights Lab’s externally funded research project activity throughout the full research lifecycle, from project award to project completion.
In this role, you will offer guidance, support, and advice to senior academic and managerial colleagues, ensuring that all aspects of research administration are handled efficiently and effectively. Our projects are internationally focused, and you will play a key role in coordinating and supporting project teams and stakeholders.
You will work with limited direct supervision and therefore be required to use your initiative, take personal responsibility, think analytically and creatively to solve problems and use excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain relationships and work collaboratively with academic staff and external stakeholders both UK and International to deliver innovative, high quality and compliant research project administrative support.
About the team
This role is part of the University’s Rights Lab. The Rights Lab is the first large-scale research platform for ending modern slavery, and home to the world’s leading modern slavery experts. Our challenge-led, team-based approach to research fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between Rights Lab researchers representing 17 different disciplines from five different university faculties. The Rights Lab works closely with stakeholders in government, civil society, business, and intergovernmental institutions to deliver practically impactful research that speaks directly to the antislavery movement and those working in the field. We are committed to ensuring our work is relevant, timely, responsive, accessible, and actionable. This is captured in our wide variety of collaborative projects and strong long-standing relationships with key players in the global and local antislavery movement(s), our curation and development of policy and practice resources (as well as academic outputs), and our responsive research agenda. The Rights Lab is based on University Park in Highfield House, and we have a very strong in-person working environment within our team.
About you
You will have a keen interest in working in a research support environment, providing expert administration to our academics and stakeholders. Here are some examples of the type of expertise we are interested in, however this list is not exhaustive and exclusive:
- You have an eye for accuracy, you enjoy a challenge, and working with spreadsheets and budgets.
- Enjoy working in a busy challenging environment, and when deadlines clash, you can prioritise your workload.
- Previously you have prepared workshops and meetings and are comfortable attending and hosting these from an operational support side, both face-to-face and online.
- Enjoy working as part of an administrative team, but also capable of working independently.
- You have significant relevant experience, or are prepared to adapt your transferable skills into a research administrative environment.
What We Offer
- A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment;
- A vibrant on-campus research environment, supported by expectations that our team is based within the Rights Lab in Highfield House on University Park for at least 80% of the working week (e.g. minimum four days in the office).
- Generous holiday entitlement of 27 days annually (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days, including closure between Christmas and New Year;
- A University reward scheme that grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent work;
- A commitment to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities;
- Access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more.
What next
This role is 36.25 hpw and is funded until 31 January 2027 as a fixed term contract. Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details. Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role. Please contact Jacqui Clay (Jacqui.Clay@nottingham.ac.uk) if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme. We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award. To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process. Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website. We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details. Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration.
Senior Operations Officer (Research Administration) (Fixed Term) in Nottingham employer: University Of Nottingham
Contact Detail:
University Of Nottingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Officer (Research Administration) (Fixed Term) in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Rights Lab on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Rights Lab's projects and their impact. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the mission of ending modern slavery.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those around teamwork and problem-solving. We want to see how you handle challenges and work collaboratively with others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Officer (Research Administration) (Fixed Term) in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Senior Operations Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at the Rights Lab!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t hold back on sharing your relevant experience in research administration. We love seeing examples of how you've successfully managed projects or supported teams in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with the Rights Lab.
How to prepare for a job interview at University Of Nottingham
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Rights Lab's projects and their impact on modern slavery. Familiarise yourself with their research focus and recent publications. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in research administration. Think about times when you've successfully managed budgets, coordinated meetings, or supported project teams. Be ready to discuss how these experiences can translate into the role of Senior Operations Officer.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Initiative
The role requires a can-do attitude and the ability to work independently. Share instances where you've had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances or take the lead on a project without direct supervision. This will illustrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the challenges ahead.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since this position involves collaboration with various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Practice active listening and be prepared to ask insightful questions. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're a team player who values collaboration.
