Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)
Job Title Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover) Post Number 1006081 Closing Date 1 Apr 2026 Grade SC8 Starting Salary Salary: £24,000-£26,500
Funding End Date 14 May 2027 Hours per week 37 Expected/Ideal Start Date 18 May 2026 Months Duration 12
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
A Business Support Assistant will work within the Operational and Business Support Group which is part of the Operations Division at the Earlham Institute.
The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of two Business Support Assistants, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.
Key Relationships
The post holder will report to the Senior Business Support Administrator and work closely with the Business Support team and the Operational and Laboratory Manager. They will also interact with Institute staff at all levels as well as Norwich Bioscience Institutes support services, external contractors, visitors, and members of the public.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
Percentage Professionally welcoming and registering visitors to EI. Assisting with enquiries on how to find us, car parking and Health and Safety whist on site. Dealing with telephone and email by redirecting them to the relevant team or responding 25 Co-ordinate travel, subsistence and itinerary bookings for staff and visitors in accordance with EI travel policy 20 Ordering and monitoring of business supplies and stationery as required 10 Post collection and distribution throughout EI 10 Assist with diary and logistical management including arranging meetings (in personand virtual), catering and conference calls for Group leaders etc 10 Assist new starters with desk allocations, stationery, and IT equipment requirements 5 Recording staff holiday, sickness, remote working etc 5 Assist with identifying and reporting estate issues and monitoring progress 5 Record new job descriptions, HR forms, expense claims and invoice requests forms, etc as required 5 As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post 5
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
Requirement Importance Five GCSEs at grades 4 and above or equivalent including English and Mathematics Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
Requirement Importance Computer literacy (Microsoft Office programs/365 including Word and Excel) Essential Accurate record keeping Essential Good time management skills with the ability to multitask and perform under pressure Essential Ability to prioritise a heavy and diverse workload Desirable
Requirement Importance Recent experience working in an office environment Essential Working with IT systems Essential Organising tasks Essential Reception or support role experience Essential Working within academic/scientific environment Essential Experience with diary and travel arrangements Essential
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
Requirement Importance Good communication skills, both written and verbal Essential Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team Essential Can demonstrate being a good communicator with a customer friendly attitude Essential Able to work independently Essential
Additional Requirements
Requirement Importance Attention to detail Essential Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute Essential Williness to work outside standard working hours when required Essential
Who We Are
About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.
We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.
The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).
Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.
We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.
Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.
The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.
We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.
The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of two Business Support Assistants, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.
Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)
Applications are invited for Maternity Cover for a Business Support Assistant to join the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of Business Support Assistant, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.
The role:
The Maternity cover will work alongside the Business Support Team and will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operation of the Institute. As a member of the Business Support Team, they will form part of the reception team providing a friendly and professional first point of contact for the institute.
In addition to reception duties, they will have responsibilities for making travel arrangements both national and international, recording and maintaining records of staff holidays and sickness, including any adhoc tasks as required by the business to ensure services are delivered to a high standard and on time.
The ideal candidate:
The candidate should have five GCSEs at grades 4 and above or equivalent includingEnglish and Mathematics. They should have recent experience of working in an office environment and experience working with IT systems.
The successful candidate should also have good verbal and written communication skills and friendly customer focus to interact with Institute staff at all levels as well as NBI support services, external contractors, visitors, and members of the public.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,000 to £26,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
This is a full-time maternity cover post expected to last for 12 months, this could be shorter or longer depending on when the absent employee returns to work.
Interviews will be held on week commencing 13th April 2026.
Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.
The closing date for applications will be 1st April 2026.
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