At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of our open research strategy and champion transparency in scholarship.
- Company: Join the University of Warwick, a leader in innovative research practices.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, professional growth, and the chance to shape research culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and strategic influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research integrity and accessibility while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience in academic research support.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Open Research Manager to lead the development and delivery of our open research strategy. You will champion openness, transparency, and reproducibility in scholarship, ensuring our research practices align with the highest standards of integrity, accessibility, and societal impact.
As Open Research Manager, you will lead the successful delivery of our Open Access Service, working daily with academic staff, researchers, professional services, and specialist external bodies. You will shape policy, influence sector developments, design innovative training and support, and provide expert advice to senior leaders including the Vice President Research and Associate Deans Research. You will also line manage a small team, contribute to the Library Senior Management Team, and lead annual operational planning for your area of responsibility.
The University of Warwick is committed to embedding open research as a central pillar of our research culture. You will join a collaborative environment where innovation in research practice is valued and supported.
About you
You will have a strong understanding of the open research landscape, including policies, infrastructures, and cultural challenges affecting universities and researchers. You will bring both strategic perspective and practical expertise to enable change and innovation across the research community.
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent (for example, a Library Management postgraduate degree), or equivalent significant work experience.
- Substantial relevant work experience in an academic/specialist information service setting or research support service.
- Full professional understanding of the current research environment and research agenda, nationally and internationally, with experience of using this to inform service development.
- A broad understanding of the research process and an ability to empathise with those engaged in research at all levels.
- Full professional knowledge of open research, including copyright, with developed tactics to keep this knowledge up to date through CPD activities.
- A detailed understanding of bibliometrics and formal and informal methods of measuring research impact, with the confidence to use this to creatively advise researchers on bibliometric queries.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate complex and sometimes politically sensitive information to audiences at all levels, imparting information and influencing behaviours through approaches tailored to different situations and audiences.
- Proficient IT skills, with experience of using social media, repositories, open-source publishing software, and other tools for effective scholarly communication.
- Strong organisational skills and a thorough, methodical approach to projects developed with clients and colleagues, delivered within demanding timescales.
- A successful record of working collaboratively and creating a strong sense of strategic direction through effective relationships with colleagues across the University at all levels.
- The ability to work independently and use creative thinking to develop innovative solutions, considering the strategic implications for service development.
- Adaptable and resourceful in meeting complex and conflicting demands and priorities while displaying a consistently high level of commitment and motivation.
- A proven ability to translate strategy into clear objectives involving the whole team.
- A commitment to leading and developing others.
- Experience of line managing a small team including recruitment and onboarding, performance feedback and management, developing skills and capabilities and an empowering approach.
- Experience of managing a complex Open Research budget (e.g. UKRI block grant, funder requirements, departmental funding).
- Previous experience of direct involvement in contributing to the delivery of REF (Research Excellence Framework) within a library or academic environment.
Desirable criteria
- PRINCE2 or a similar project management qualification, or significant equivalent work experience.
- A research qualification.
- Membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Experience of managing, analysing, and modelling datasets, and the ability to synthesise this data into reports to answer specific enquiries, or a willingness to learn.
About the department
The Library & Archives are central to the delivery of the University strategy, providing a high-quality service to all of our stakeholders in the delivery of teaching, learning, research, and our civic ambitions. Through innovative approaches to information management, data analysis, and emerging technologies, we are striving to create a seamless and personalised experience that enhances teaching, learning, and research; to empower our research community to navigate the complex open research landscape in a financially sustainable and simple way; and to develop learning spaces that provide an enhanced and inclusive physical and digital experience.
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