REF Unit of Assessment (UoA) Administrator (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking a REF Administrator to join the School of the Physical Sciences REF team, supporting REF2029 preparations across UoAs. You will provide comprehensive administrative support, coordinate data collection and verification, organise meetings, maintain records, and assist departments in meeting REF deadlines.

This role requires superb organisation, attention to detail, and the ability to work with academics and professional services colleagues; hybrid working is

Qualifications

• Experience of working with research-related information, large datasets, or higher education processes would be advantageous.
• Highly organised administrator with excellent attention to detail, strong communication, and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate data collection and verification for REF2029 across multiple UoAs.
• Organise meetings, maintain records and tracking systems for departments.
• Support governance and decision-making processes within the SPS REF team.

Job description

The Opportunity:

The University of Cambridge is a world-leading institution renowned for excellence in research, education, and scholarship. With over 14,000 staff, we are committed to creating an inclusive, dynamic workplace that enables our people to thrive.

As the Higher Education sector prepares for REF2029, we are looking for a REF Administrator to join the School of the Physical Sciences (SPS) REF team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in supporting the School's preparations for one of the UK's most significant research assessment exercises.

Working closely with the SPS REF Manager, you will provide comprehensive administrative support across multiple Units of Assessment (UoAs) and academic departments within the School. Based within the School office, you will help coordinate REF activity across a diverse range of disciplines, developing strong working relationships with academics, departmental colleagues, and University-wide REF teams. As a key member of the School REF team, you will contribute to the development of consistent approaches, effective processes, and shared best practice across all SPS submissions.

You will provide high-quality administrative support across all aspects of REF2029 preparation, helping to coordinate data collection and verification, support governance and decision-making processes, organise meetings and communications, maintain accurate records and tracking systems, and assist departments in meeting REF requirements and deadlines.

Working across multiple UoAs, you will develop a broad understanding of REF policy and processes while helping to ensure that departments are well supported throughout the submission cycle.

About You:

This role would suit a highly organised administrator with excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills, a collaborative approach, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex and fast-paced environment. Experience of working with research-related information, large datasets, or higher education processes would be advantageous.

You may already have experience of the REF or similar large-scale projects, or you may be keen to develop specialist expertise in this area as part of your career in higher education administration. You will excel at prioritising work and managing competing demands, adapting to emerging challenges and accurately processing data. You will be equally comfortable working independently and as part of collaborative teams, including working with senior academic stakeholders.

The University of Cambridge is committed to supporting staff to thrive professionally and personally and offers a wide range of benefits https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/pay-benefits/cambens-employee-benefits

In joining the School of the Physical Sciences, you will not only be part of collaborative and forward-thinking teams that support world-class research, but you will also be part of a welcoming and inclusive workplace with excellent opportunities for professional development. Familiarity with the Physical Sciences could be beneficial for the role but is not essential. The role requires regular on-site working to support effective collaboration with departments and academic colleagues with scope for hybrid working once the postholder is established in the role.

Limited funding: The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2028.

Closing date for all applications is Sunday 20 September with interviews planned for the week of 28 September.