REF Officer

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster University is seeking a proactive Research Services professional to join the team at Bailrigg. You will support the REF2029 submission preparation, collaborating with departments and faculty leads to ensure high-quality outputs.

The role requires experience in a research environment, strong written English, and the ability to plan and prioritise work with attention to detail. Training on GDPR and data handling will be provided as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in a research environment, ideally within Higher Education.
• Knowledge of the research lifecycle and REF2029 is desirable.
• Excellent written English and the ability to plan and manage conflicting priorities.
• Some data analysis experience will be key to supporting REF preparation activities.

Responsibilities

• Support and collaborate with departments and faculties to prepare the REF2029 submission.
• Work with the Head of Research Quality and Policy and the institutional REF team on a range of tasks.
• Provide support across all institutional REF preparation activities and data handling in line with GDPR requirements.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Data analysis

Time management

Attention to detail

Proactive

Job description

Research Services
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £33,002 to £37,694Full time Fixed Term
Closing Date: Tuesday 01 September 2026
Interview Date: Monday 14 September 2026
Reference: 0812-26

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join the team to take on a varied and demanding role. You will work closely with the Head of Research Quality and Policy, Senior REF Officer and other members of the institutional REF team with a range of tasks to provide support in preparing and making the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 submission. You will support and collaborate with departments, faculty leads and PS divisions to ensure the highest quality submission aligning to REF2029 guidance.

You should have experience of working in a research environment, ideally within Higher Education. Knowledge of the research lifecycle, particularly in relation to REF2029, is desirable and would be part of training and development for the right candidate if required.

This role would suit an excellent communicator with a pro‑active approach and the ability to plan and manage time and conflicting priorities. A high attention to detail, good written English and experience of some data analysis will be key to providing support across all institutional REF preparation activities. Ability to learn new digital systems will be essential to help support the REF submission in late 2028. Some of the submission will be confidential in nature and therefore knowledge of GDPR and appropriate handling of this data is important.

The role is fixed term until 31 December 2028. We support a flexible working environment and welcome applications from internal applicants looking for a secondment to further their career. Training and development will be provided as needed. The role is designed as full‑time; however, we welcome applications for flexible working, reduced FTE, or job share – please outline this within your covering letter for discussion at interview.

Research Services is part of the university’s Research and Enterprise Services Division and provides expert advice, guidance and administrative support to Lancaster University’s research community in the development of bids for externally funded research and the administration of successfully awarded grants and contracts. The team provides a range of research support activities at both pre‑and post‑award including advice on funders’ terms and conditions, proposal preparation, costing and pricing and post‑award grant administration for research grants and contracts from a diverse range of researcher funders.

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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