Research Coordinator

Reading; Reading; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Reading is seeking a Research Coordinator to coordinate work for the SPECIAL research group and to manage the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society and the LEMONTREE project. You will liaise with the PI and consortia partners, drive research and communication strategies, and help shape joint publications.

The role involves financial forecasting, project governance, and safeguarding contractual compliance, with opportunities to lead science communication across

Qualifications

• Proven experience as project manager of a large-scale science project involving multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills and self-motivation with ability to work in a team.
• Excellent communication skills across scientific publications and social media.
• Good interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders across institutions and departments.
• Understanding of eco-evolutionary optimality theory.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate work within the SPECIAL research group at Reading.
• Develop and implement project research and communication strategy.
• Foster research synergies between participating organisations.
• Identify research gaps and plan long-term science communication.
• Oversee financial forecasting and ensure contractual alignment.
• Oversee conclusion of the LEMONTREE project.

Skills

Project management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Eco-evolutionary theory

Job description

Salary Grade 6, £37,369 to £43,099 per annum

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

The Further Particulars for each job are in PDF format, which can be read by Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. To download a free version of Acrobat Reader, please click on the link below:

The post is fixed term, for 5 months, starting from February 1st 2027.

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website UK Visas and Immigration Website .

The Research Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating work within the SPECIAL research group at Reading, specifically in connection with Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society and the LEMONTREE (Land Ecosystem Models based On New Theory, observations and Experiments) project. Both of these projects are multi‑institutional. The postholder will work closely with the PI at Reading University but will also be expected to liaise with other members of the two consortia. This will include being responsible for the development and implementation of the project research and communication strategy, including fostering research synergies between the participating organisations, identification of research gaps, long term planning of science communication and championing and taking a lead in the writing of joint research publications. The Research Coordinator will also oversee financial forecasting for the various projects and ensure projects are executed in line with contractual agreements. The postholder will be responsible for overseeing the conclusion of the LEMONTREE project.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience as project manager of a large-scale science project involving multiple stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills and self-motivation coupled with the ability to work as part of a team;
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate in a range of mediums (scientific publications, social media);
• Good interpersonal skills with an ability to engage multiple stakeholders across institutions and across departments (finance, research contracts);
• An understanding of eco-evolutionary optimality theory.

Contact Name Professor Sandy P. Harrison

Contact Job Title Professor

Contact Email address [e-mail]

Alternative Contact Name Professor Colin Prentice

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business need