The Research Lifecycle Programme is recruiting theme leaders to support and advocate for the research community during its next phase.

The Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) will begin its next phase in August 2024. The programme will invest in people, systems and infrastructure to help ensure that The University of Manchester is able to deliver world-class research.

The next phase will see improvements in how the programme is managed and governed. These changes have been informed by the experience of delivering successful projects, and feedback from stakeholders across the University.

One of the key changes is the development of programme themes. These will enable us to group related projects together and ensure that they are helping to support the University’s strategic goals. Themes will be led and managed by a member of staff from within RLP and a representative from the academic community.

About the role

To help ensure that the University’s academic community is fully represented, RLP is recruiting academic leaders for each of the planned themes. Theme leaders will help the programme’s team to better understand the needs of academics. They will also act as advocates for the programme to help ensure that our work reaches and benefits the research community.

These roles will be bought out at 0.1 FTE.

Successful candidates will be responsible for:

• Working with colleagues to develop, and advocate for, the academic vision/theme plan.
• Seeking assurance that the theme initiatives are doing the right things in alignment with the University’s strategies.
• To provide an academic voice(s) at the RLP Programme Board, and other appropriate forums, as well as shaping the delivery of the programme.
• To provide an interface with senior academic stakeholders, keeping them engaged and informed.

A comprehensive role description can be found on our website as a Word document or PDF.

The programme is now recruiting academic theme leaders for:

• Open, reproducible and responsible research
• Research Computing and Data Platforms
• The Research Funding Lifecycle

Open, reproducible and responsible research

The next phase of RLP will further develop research data management (RDM) services, training, and processes as well as help support a community of data stewards across the University. This will include the review and development of open research platforms and ensuring they meet the changing needs of researchers across all disciplines. Solutions for archiving of research outputs will also feature in this workstream.

We aspire to become a research institution that is recognised as world-leading for our secure environment. Our funders, collaborators and regulators require confidence that we are working in a secure way, with Responsible Research as an underpinning principle. Within this theme, we will look at the changes needed to be made to policy, technology, process and behaviours to move towards a secure by default research environment.

To discuss working with this theme please contact bill.ayres@manchester.ac.uk or anthony.allen@manchester.ac.uk.

Research computing and data platforms

Alongside investments in new hardware resources, this workstream will look to augment the University’s capability in this area by making it easier to access high performance computing (HPC) resources. This will include single points of access and guidance to the most appropriate platforms and training and support for those who are new to using HPC.

To discuss working with this theme please contact robert.haines@manchester.ac.uk

Research funding lifecycle

A key deliverable of this workstream will be improving support for cross-disciplinary services to support researchers, at all career stages, with grant applications. The work will also see further process improvements in the pre- and post-award activities.

To discuss working with this theme please contact andrew.walsh@manchester.ac.uk

If you would like to discuss the wider aims and strategic work of the research lifecycle programme you can contact caroline.jay@manchester.ac.uk or robert.haines@manchester.ac.uk to arrange an informal chat.

How to apply

Applications should consist of a short (maximum two-pages) curriculum vitae and a supporting statement (maximum of one-page) that provides details of:

• The experience that the applicant has in delivering research and providing leadership and support to colleagues.
• The applicant’s ideas about opportunities for theme development and aims.
• How the applicant believes the RLP can add value to and support our diverse body of researchers at all levels.
• Experience relevant to one or more of the specific areas of responsibility. 
• Their approach and ideas in support of improving the environmental sustainability of our research.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Applications should be submitted by email to rlp@manchester.ac.uk

Applications close at 23.59 on Wednesday 10 July.

Interviews dates are yet to be confirmed, but are likely to be during July.

It is anticipated that successful candidates will join their first RLP board meeting in September.

Related