Research Culture Manager (Research Professional Futures) (111040-1125)

For informal enquiries, please contact Rika Nair (Research Culture Manager) at rika.nair@warwick.ac.uk.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a major national initiative, the Research Professional Futures (RPF) project, set to reshape the role of research professionals across the UK. It is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of sector-wide change, engaging with senior stakeholders, shaping national policy, and supporting the development of a more inclusive, strategic, and future-ready RP workforce.

The successful candidate will make an important contribution to the project, working across stakeholder groups to promote project outputs and foster meaningful engagement, whilst developing a collaborative and forward-looking research culture across the sector.

You will be passionate about bringing about change, with experience in a research-enabling role in a higher education setting, and an understanding of research culture.

The successful candidate will have responsibility for a portfolio of engagement activities, including events, surveys, case studies, and written content; therefore, you will ideally need to have experience in managing activities and events, and good project management skills.

A key part of the role will involve liaising across academic, professional, and sector communities, enabling inclusive co-creation and sector-wide impact. Therefore, you will be an effective communicator and presenter, with the ability to negotiate and influence clearly and concisely, creating professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

The Research Professionals Future project is a £4.5m initiative funded by the Research England Development Fund. This ambitious project aims to transform the role, recognition, and development of Research Professionals (RPs) across the UK research system.

RPF is delivered through a collective leadership model, co-developed by Research Professionals and Professional Research Infrastructure and Strategy Managers (PRISMs) from a consortium of universities including Teesside, Durham, Warwick, and Imperial College London, in partnership with the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, Research Consulting, ARMA, the PRISM Network and other sector bodies.

The role will be based in Research & Impact Services at the University of Warwick, a friendly and diverse department supporting the delivery of internationally leading research & impact at the University of Warwick.

Candidates are asked to note that Research & Impact Services has adopted hybrid working and candidates should therefore expect to be located on campus a set number of days a week.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Monday 24th November 2025 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date: 2nd December 2025
• Start Date: January 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.