The Post
A Research Performance & Impact Officer will provide highly effective professional services support for the strategic development, delivery and performance of research and innovation across all Faculties, with a focus on performance as defined within Faculty and University research strategies. This role will be key in supporting the delivery of performance improvements across all Faculties and supporting our research culture and environment through embedding the values we hold on responsible evaluation, and responsible research. The role will play a key part in supporting the University’s contribution to the region and society more broadly, promoting impact, open science and open data alongside participation in enhancing key metrics.
Enquiries should be made to Ben Fanstone, Research Performance and Impact Manager, Research, Innovation and Business Engagement,
Description of Duties
1. Provide, in conjunction with the wider Research Innovation and Business Engagement (RIBE) team and other professional services colleagues, effective management information and analysis in support of research performance improvement across the Faculties
2. Work closely with Faculties and other professional services to coordinate, analyse, and ensure responsible management of research assessment activity related to the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
3. Maintain and disseminate expert, current knowledge of research and innovation policy, practice, and strategy. In particular, on areas of responsible evaluation, open science, and research culture
4. Provide support on the strategies for, and delivery of, dissemination and impact of the University’s research activity, contributing towards an enhanced research reputation, metrics and performance
5. Contribute to the RIBE support for Faculty Research Committees, including the dissemination and integration of knowledge arising from University research groups such as the Associate Dean of Research meetings, as appropriate
6. Provide a supporting role in planning, co-ordinating and delivery of key research and innovation projects identified as priorities in Faculty and/or University research strategies
7. Work closely with other professional services colleagues to support the purpose of the post to continually improve business process around research culture and environment and promoting impact. This will include colleagues within RIBE, HR and Organisation Development, Communications and Marketing, Finance and Information Services
8. Work with the Institute for Advanced Studies and HR & Organisational Development colleagues to ensure that training and development support for researchers is targeted effectively on performance enhancement and strategic objectives
9. Support the University with external evaluation processes
10. Undertake such other duties as may be required, commensurate with the grade and nature of the post, including representing Faculty and University at internal and external meetings as appropriate
Essential Criteria
11. Educated to degree level or equivalent or employment experience across a range of roles with increasing levels of responsibility
12. Significant experience of working successfully in the area of research management and significant practical experience in a directly relevant role either within the HE or funder sector
13. Good analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills. Can demonstrate the ability to use data gathering and recognises and accurately interprets patterns and trends and contribute to reports identifying key issues and findings
14. Experience of working successfully within complex regulations / frameworks, both within the UK and internationally
15. Knowledge of the current research landscape and of the wider context relevant to Higher Education, along with the capability to understand the impact on the ongoing operation and development of the role’s area of responsibility
16. Competence and experience to provide professional, expert research support advice and services to staff to support the delivery of University and Faculty Research plans and excellent researcher support and development provision
17. Ability to initiate processes and procedures to resolve new problems. Anticipates possible implementation difficulties and identifies practical ways of overcoming or preventing them
18. Ability to identify future opportunities and develop longer term plans
19. Proven ability to formulate clear policy, advice and guidance relevant to research support
20. Proven ability to summarise complex ideas or information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist
21. Highly organised with the ability to work with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and within specified deadlines
22. Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and initiatives to deadlines within a complex and diverse workload
23. Ability to consider the wider impact of decisions and assesses likelihood of possible outcomes and use judgement to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data and taking into account multiple factors. Distinguishes between the need to make a decision, when to defer and when not to take a decision
24. Excellent skills in communicating effectively at all levels both orally and in writing, with the ability to communicate using a wide range of styles appropriate to different individuals, groups and situations
25. Ability to work independently and with initiative but to also operate successfully in team and wider collaborative contexts
26. Ability to build proactively productive and enduring relationships between internal and/or external bodies to benefit the University
27. A strong commitment to operational excellence, customer care and the researcher experience
28. IT skills, including proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite and operational knowledge of research management systems
Desirable Criteria
29. Relevant post graduate degree
30. Professional training, ideally a formal qualification delivered by a professional body, such as ARMA
31. Participation within external HE research funding networks, groups and bodies
32. Experience processing and visualising data using a programming language, e.g., R or Python
33. Experience of advanced Microsoft systems, such as PowerBI, and research management system
Additional Information
Full time
Open ended
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 31 May 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 8 June 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK
This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 3543.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
34. Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
35. Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
36. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
37. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
38. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
39. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
40. Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
41. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
42. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.