At Edinburgh Napier University, our impactful research brings together our academic staff, students, and external partners to solve real-world problems, influence policy and deliver positive societal change. Our research creates high-quality knowledge that shapes the world around us, improving lives in Scotland and across the globe. That is why we are known as Home of Difference Makers.

This combined with our outstanding Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 results which judged over two-thirds of our research either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ and placed ENU as the top Scottish modern university for both research power and impact, provides the best possible confirmation that Edinburgh Napier delivers excellent research with real impact.

Research and innovation at Edinburgh Napier university plays a crucial role in underpinning our ability to solve real-world problems and provide advice, knowledge, and expertise to industry, the public and third sectors. Offering our world-leading expertise to make a difference across the globe is important to us.

To help us in our ambitious vision of continuing to produce outstanding world-leading research that puts us at the forefront of the sector, we are looking for a Head of Research Environment and Services to lead and manage the sustainable development of an excellent research environment to our researchers and research students.

The Role

Using your expertise and understanding, you will play a leading role in developing and imbedding initiatives that influence research at the university, concurrently creating a culture that supports research with integrity and best practice.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal of Research and Innovation, you will work closely to engage in strategic discussions that make an impact through the research lifecycle, as well as the opportunity to deputise on their behalf as and when needed.

You will play a leading role in managing the process of successfully funded external projects; supporting the research data and information management and governance, while supporting the institutional REF submission team to gather relevant data at the end of every REF cycle. In this role, it would be essential for you to ensure practical implementation of the delivery of our aspirations, shaping, and delivering policy that enables research at Edinburgh Napier University.

You will be responsible for providing an excellent service to our researchers and partners, seeking and maximising commercial opportunities through well-established networks throughout your career to add value to our organization.

You will have the opportunity to build strong relationships a variety of stakeholders within the University as well as develop a network of contacts outside the University to work collaboratively and ultimately use our wide breadth of skills and knowledge to help transfer ideas into reality.

For more information on the role, including main duties and responsibilities, click here.

 What we will need from you

• A doctorate is desirable but not essential
• MSc with relevant research experience
• Experience in a leadership/ management position in a university Research and Innovation Office (or similar).
• Proven track record of success in supporting research, KE and/or commercialisation.
• Significant experience of financial and human resource management, including budget preparation and control in a research context.

 If you’re interested in an informal discussion to learn more about the role, please contact Nikolaos Antonopoulos at n.antonopoulos@napier.ac.uk and general inquiries please contact recruitment@napier.ac.uk

Our Excellent Benefits  

We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities to help you on your journey in your career, as well as some fantastic benefits:

• minimum of 41 days annual leave (including 10 fixed holidays at Easter and Christmas)
• employer pension contributions of 20.8%
• maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• option to opt into private healthcare scheme

Application closing date:  29th June @ 11:59 pm

Initial interview date: 10th July

Edinburgh Napier is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels proud, confident, challenged, and supported and are holders of Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Diversity Champion status. Please see here for more information.