Research Manager (110960-1025)

For informal enquiries, please contact Rachel Canty (Head of Administration) at rachel.canty@warwick.ac.uk.

We are seeking an experienced Research Manager to lead and develop research support in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick.

This role is central to the planning and delivery of research and impact in the Department. It has also responsibility for the development and management of a Department based Professional Services Research team.  

This is a strategic and hands-on role and is critical to the Department’s research success. Embedded in a vibrant community of 120+ staff and 1,300+ students this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in one of the UK’s leading departments of politics and international studies.

Diversity Statement

• PAIS holds an Athena Swan silver award, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in higher education.
• We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued.
• We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in which all colleagues can thrive. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from racially minoritised, disabled, LGBTQIA+, and economically disadvantaged communities. We actively champion a culture of inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and innovation across our diverse department.

You have significant experience of working at a senior level in research support or a similar service area in higher education. You understand the complexities of research funding and have successfully supported grant development, budgeting, and post-award processes. Your excellent communication and analytical skills allow you to work collaboratively with academic and Professional Services teams, while your strategic mindset helps you to contribute to longer-term research planning.

You are adept at managing financial regulations and funder requirements, and you bring proven leadership and line management experience. Highly organised and proactive, you are motivated by enabling research excellence in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

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

PAIS is one of the UK’s leading Politics and International Studies departments: in the 2024 The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide PAIS ranked 4th of the 80 UK Politics Departments; in REF2021 and REF2014 we were awarded 100% 4* for research environment; and since 2016 PAIS has ranked as number 1 or 2 for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Russell Group for Politics in the National Student Survey (NSS).

We are a diverse and inclusive community with a Professional Services team of 21 supporting education, research and department operations. We are committed to embedding the values of dignity, equality, freedom, and justice in our practices, including widening opportunities for both students and staff.

We offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including a suite of double-degree MAs with partner institutions. We also have a vibrant PhD programme.

To find out more about the department, please visit our website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 4th January 2026 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: To be confirmed
• Start Date: To be confirmed

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.