Senior Research Analytics Manager

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The purpose of the Strategy, Planning and Insight Department (SPIO) is to work collaboratively to help people to make effective evidence-based decisions and take forward plans and actions aligned to the University’s Strategy. The team has an excellent reputation in the sector for the quality of its work and plays an influential enabling role in relation to the long-term development of Durham University.

The Research Analytics Manager will play a critical role in providing the data insight which is required to advance Durham University’s research strategy, planning and performance. The postholder will join a team of highly skilled planning and analytics professionals in the SPIO team, and will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues and senior staff across the institution. You will join us at an exciting time as we take forward a new University Strategy and establish impactful research and innovation initiatives at regional, national and global levels.

The Research Analytics Manager will work with complex data sets relating to multiple aspects of research performance, with citations being one key aspect of importance. You will be expected to develop practical ways of enabling insight and understanding; for example, through the development of accessible dashboards, in person dialogue and the facilitation of workshops and other meetings, including those run in partnership with Faculty leadership teams and the University’s bibliometrician.

Specific examples of areas of responsibility include institution-wide analysis of actionable areas for performance improvement; assessment of citations performance in the context of global rankings; mapping and evaluation of research strengths and opportunities, including interdisciplinary connectivity and generation of grant income; analysis of research reputation and impact; and bespoke analysis to inform the identification of potential areas of strategic development.

You will have the opportunity to support the leadership of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, and to integrate research insights with broader aspects of institutional strategy and development, including staff and financial planning. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University\:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.