Research Performance and Data Officer – Research Strategy and Services – 106803 – Grade 7
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Position: Full time, permanent. Salary: £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression to £48,822. Grade 7. Closing date: 12 January 2025.
Our offer to you
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years. We support talent development through the Birmingham Professional programme, provide generous benefits including 40 days paid holiday, one day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme, and subsidised day nurseries. Flexibility in working arrangements is encouraged to support work/life balance.
Research Strategy & Services Division
The RSSD supports all aspects of research, innovation and business engagement across the University. The Research Performance & Systems Innovation team develops an integrated, insight‑driven approach to research performance, REF planning, research systems oversight, and data governance.
Role Summary
The Research Performance & Data Officer will provide high‑quality data reporting, analysis, and operational support across key areas of institutional research performance. Working closely with the Research Performance & Systems Innovation team, the officer will support statutory and internal research income reporting, REF 2029 data and modelling, and various research performance activities across the University.
Main duties
* Produce accurate and timely data reporting and analysis to support the University’s statutory research income submissions (including OFS and HEBCI).
* Support quarterly internal research income reporting, working closely with Research Finance, Planning and College Research Offices.
* Prepare data for internal and external audits, ensuring completeness, traceability and compliance with audit requirements.
* Contribute to process improvements to enhance the quality and consistency of income‑related data.
* Provide research performance data and analysis to support the University’s People, Environment and Culture elements of the REF 2029 submission.
* Produce output data reporting using Pure to support College Directors of Research, Unit of Assessment Leads and Output Leads.
* Generate datasets and analysis to support institutional REF modelling, including reports and dashboards used by the REF Board and the Senior Research Leadership Team.
* Maintain robust documentation and quality assurance processes for REF‑related data.
* Prepare ad hoc data queries and bespoke analysis to support colleagues across RSSD, the Colleges, and senior academic leaders.
* Support the development and delivery of training, guidance and virtual sessions for academic and Professional Services colleagues on research data, Pure reporting and related processes.
* Support the administration and data preparation for the annual institutional Researchfish submission.
* Contribute to the development of consistent and efficient data procedures, including documentation, data quality checks and feedback mechanisms.
* Work collaboratively with the Research Systems & Data Manager and Research Data & Reporting Manager to identify opportunities for improving data flows, enhancing reporting and simplifying processes.
* Assist in testing new or updated reporting tools or system enhancements (e.g., Pure, Worktribe), providing feedback and supporting implementation.
* Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures for research performance data and reporting.
* Develop effective working relationships across RSSD, College Research Offices, Planning, Finance and IT Services.
* Present data, findings and analysis clearly and accessibly to non‑specialist audiences.
* Respond professionally and helpfully to data queries from colleagues, ensuring a high‑quality customer service approach.
* Represent the Research Performance & Systems Innovation team in relevant working groups and meetings when required.
Person Specification
* Educated to degree level (or equivalent) OR substantial relevant experience in a data‑focused role.
* Advanced Excel skills, including experience managing and analysing complex datasets.
* Ability to interpret, analyse and present quantitative and qualitative data clearly for a range of audiences.
* Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
* Experience of working with research‑related systems or datasets (e.g. Pure, research income, REF, or similar).
* Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to data quality and accuracy.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and build effective working relationships.
* Experience of solving problems using judgement, initiative and analytical reasoning.
* Ability to lead defined projects or pieces of work, coordinating contributions from different colleagues.
Desirable
* Experience of using Pure, WorkTribe, or other research information systems.
* Experience with data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI).
* Knowledge of the UK research funding landscape and associated reporting requirements.
* Understanding of REF processes and data requirements.
Role context
Roles at this level require a strong understanding of administrative or specialist operations, involving the use of judgement to interpret information, solve problems and recommend improvements. Postholders at Grade 7 plan and deliver services, lead defined projects, and work collaboratively across multiple teams, contributing to the development of processes and systems in their specialist area.
Core Competencies / Transferable Skills
Planning and organising
* Plan and deliver services and projects within agreed deadlines and standards.
* Contribute to the development of service improvements and data standards.
* Provide advice, training and guidance to colleagues on systems and data processes.
Problem solving and decision making
* Identify data issues and propose solutions to improve accuracy and efficiency.
* Apply specialist judgement to interpret data and recommend appropriate actions.
* Respond effectively to changing priorities, unexpected problems or incomplete datasets.
Organisational understanding
* Understand how the University’s research systems and processes interrelate across RSSD, Colleges and central Professional Services.
* Demonstrate a developing understanding of research strategy, REF requirements and institutional reporting processes.
Relationships and communication
* Communicate complex data clearly to non‑specialist colleagues.
* Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders.
* Support collaborative problem‑solving across teams and functions.
Informal enquiries
Conor McKenna, email: c.mckenna@bham.ac.uk
Use of AI in applications
We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
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