The Role
Working with the Faculty Research Impact Manager to develop and implement the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) Research Impact Strategy, aligning with the aims set out in the University Research Strategy.
You will support impact activities and researchers across the Faculty in improving, recording and demonstrating the impact of their research, including supporting the delivery of impact funding via the Faculty Impact Fund (FIF) and any Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs).The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) is an exciting, multi-disciplinary faculty, structured around ten academic schools covering subjects ranging from the arts (e.g. fine art and music) across the humanities (e.g. history and english) to the social sciences (e.g. law and economics). The Faculty has more than 1700 academic, professional and technical staff across its range of disciplinary areas. It has a significant and diverse student population.
HaSS is open to the world and seeks to address social and global challenges through its thinking, making, and practice. Building on the strong cultural heritage of our disciplines, we value enquiry, exploration, and creativity. We are committed to enabling a supportive culture for our staff and students, which prizes trust and integrity, values diversity, and inclusiveness, and promotes wellbeing in collaborative and inspiring environments.
Working in a friendly office on our Newcastle city centre campus, this is a full-time role, working 37 hours per week. This role is fixed term until 31 March 2028.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on the Morning of Monday 15th December.
For informal enquiries, please contact .
Key Accountabilities
1. Support the delivery of impact funding via our Faculty Impact Fund and ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, helping colleagues to develop strong applications with well-designed impact plans
2. Manage the Impact Acceleration Accounts, including any additional funding uplifts, supporting the management group and leading on business plan development, reporting and promotion in liaison with the press office
3. Building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders in support of impact funding schemes and to manage the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account Advisory Group
4. Deliver a capacity building programme, often in conjunction with external partners, offering a wide range of events and support
5. Support the Faculty Research Impact Manager with the realisation of the Faculty Research Impact Strategy, contributing to discussions as an active member of the HaSS Impact Forum
6. Provide project support for the delivery of research impact initiatives resulting from the University strategy and Faculty research plan, including support for any associated working groups and to implement policies/ changes to policies and systems that support their delivery
7. Stimulate and work closely with academic researchers to develop external engagement, knowledge exchange and impact strategies, identify target audiences and user groups, and explore evaluation measures
8. Develop and maintain a network across the Institution and HE sector more widely with regards to impact, gathering market intelligence, examples of best practice and using this expertise and evidence base to influence policy and practice within the Faculty
9. Contribute to the development of training in areas of impact, engagement and knowledge exchange, including in relation to external research funding applications. This will involve (a) tailoring content and style to suit a range of different audiences e.g. academics, researchers, postgraduate researchers and professional service staff and (b) working in partnership with relevant colleagues across the institution to plan and deliver this training e.g. Impact Officers in the Faculties of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, and Medical Sciences, Research Funding, Business Development, Research Strategy and Development, and Policy and Information
10. Play a key role in establishing and maintaining the University’s reputation and profile nationally (and internationally), through publicising excellent research impact
11. Contribute to the operational delivery of research impact in order to maximise performance in any national assessment of research excellence, including the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Contribute to the Faculty and University REF Steering Groups and to strategic decision-making around the Faculty’s REF impact submissions
12. Support the development of compelling impact narratives for a variety of audiences, including funding partners. To interpret and communicate funder requirements in relation to impact; to maximise opportunities for research dissemination, public engagement and commercialisation; and support engagement with these
13. Work with the Faculty Research Funding Development team to embed impact within external research funding applications by reviewing funding applications with a substantive public engagement or impact element
14. Contribute to the development of a positive and aspirational research culture and operationalise this at the Faculty and school level
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
15. Experience in a dedicated research impact role in Humanities and/or Social Sciences (or equivalent)
16. Experience of developing and implementing strategy and processes in the research impact environment, preferably in a HEI or other research focussed organisation
17. A strong understanding and knowledge of the national and international research impact environment
18. A sound appreciation of the research lifecycle, including the conduct of research, its translation into policy, practice or product, and the role of different stakeholders in this process
19. A proven track record in project management and leading internal funding schemes
20. Experience of effectively developing and delivering training programmes and delivering events involving a range of stakeholders, including external partners
21. A demonstrable understanding of how to build a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion
22. Effective collaboration, influencing and negotiation skills in an environment where resources may not be within their direct control
23. Strong communication skills and experience in engaging with internal and external stakeholders
24. Ability to recognise and analyse the dynamics of problems and issues and provide innovative solutions
25. Ability to think strategically and comfortable working at a complex level including the management of conflicting priorities and demands
Qualifications
26. A degree or equivalent level qualification and/or experience in a similar research related role
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 28846