Purpose of Role
The Researcher Development Consultant will lead on the strategic planning and implementation of a wide range of development initiatives and programmes as part of the Research and Researcher Development division. You will be responsible for identifying, prioritising, designing and leading researcher development interventions aiming to support our academic research community to succeed by a) enhancement of personal, professional and career-related skills and capabilities of researchers/research leaders and b) promotion of a more supportive, equitable and vibrant research culture for our research community.
You will oversee expansion of development provision, and work in collaboration/consultation with colleagues in academic Schools, research institutes, University committees and Professional Services to provide advice and collaborate on new and bespoke development initiatives. By helping to support implementation of the University’s Strategy 2025 and shape Strategy 2035 you will collaborate with colleagues from across the institution and externally to enhance researcher development and research culture at Heriot-Watt University.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
1. Develop the role of Researcher Development Consultant, engaging closely with Academic Schools, research institutes and professional services’ colleagues on the identification, prioritisation and enhancement of researcher development requirements.
2. Enable Heriot-Watt researchers to develop a wide range of skills and capabilities to enhance their personal, professional and career development by overseeing design, delivery and evaluation of researcher development initiatives for the academic research community.
3. Support Research Leaders/Principal Investigators to enhance their research capacity, funding success and research management and leadership by expanding relevant academic development activities.
4. Promote further visibility, reputation and engagement with research leaders and their research groups through facilitation of academic networks and development of a university-wide, Inaugural Impact Programme.
5. Develop further on-line training provision and resources to enhance flexibility, accessibility and efficiency of training for the Heriot-Watt academic community at all campuses, ensuring continual improvement and relevance of the programmes.
6. Contribute to the University’s implementation of the ‘Researcher, Concordat e.g. by providing more training and development for Early Career Researchers/Research Associates on research and career-related topics.
7. Build external key contacts and relationships out with Heriot-Watt to develop wider partnerships with other universities on researcher development to share resources, enhance learning and develop networks for Academic Staff. E.g. participate in, and contribute to, national researcher development committees and events (such as those organised by ScotHERD and Universities Scotland).
8. Undertake representation on internal committees/fora to facilitate dissemination of policy and best-practice and build working partnerships with senior colleagues from across the University.
9. Manage resources and operational staff members to ensure that programmes run efficiently and effectively for the optimum benefit of staff, students and external colleagues.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
10. Educated to first degree level or equivalent, or equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
11. Experience of working within a similar environment as outlined above.
12. Competent in the use of relevant IT packages
13. Proven relevant experience of designing and leading people development projects
14. Good knowledge and understanding of relevant legal, statutory and governance applications and turning them into good practice.
15. Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
16. Demonstrable excellent customer service.
17. Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment.
18. Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
19. Ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively with good attention to detail.
20. High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment.
21. Demonstrable professional and proactive approach.
22. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Desirable
23. Understanding of research culture
24. Professional Qualification or membership of Professional bodies.
25. Experience of working in Higher Education, with researchers at all levels (PhD students and academic staff) and in partnership with other internal and external colleagues.
26. Ability to manage budgets.
27. Knowledge or aptitude for learning to develop digital resources and delivering training online.
28. Able to make independent decisions regarding the practicalities of enhancement programme organization.
29. Able to conduct analysis, present results and put forward recommendations through the provision of briefings, presentations or written reports and proposals.
30. Excellent organizational and administrative skills, flexible and adaptable approach, coupled with the ability to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
Special Factors
31. Ability to occasionally work outside of office hours and off campus.
32. Interest in working with an international community of researchers.