Research Excellence Framework (REF) Officer

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Employee assistance programme

Family leave

Cycle and car loan

Discounted travel

Job summary

The University of Oxford is seeking a highly organised REF Officer to support Oxford’s Main Panel A submission for REF 2029, working across the Medical Sciences Division and one department in the MPLS Division.

This fixed-term role until May 2029 offers exposure to research assessment processes and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the University, developing specialist knowledge in REF guidance and criteria.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent attention to detail and numerical skills, including data handling and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate REF-related processes across departments and ensure information is collected, checked and reported accurately and on time.
• Collate and present staff, publication and other REF data from multiple sources.
• Support development of narrative elements of the submission and prepare briefs and papers.
• Develop specialist knowledge of REF guidance and provide advice and support across the Division and University.

Skills

Degree level

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Research Excellence Framework (REF) Officer

John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford

OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

Current members of staff are encouraged to apply

• £39,424 - £47,779 with discretionary range up to £51,983 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
• Full-time with part-time working as a minimum of 0.8 FTE considered.
• This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working. A fixed office team day is Thursday. Our office location is at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, OX3 9DU.

About the Role:

Would you like to play a part in showcasing the ground-breaking research taking place at the University of Oxford? We are looking for a highly organised and collaborative individual to join us as a Research Excellence Framework (REF) Officer and play an important role in the University’s preparations for REF 2029.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality and impact of research in higher education. As REF Officer, you will provide specialist administrative support for Oxford’s Main Panel A submission, working across departments in the Medical Sciences Division and one department in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division.

Working closely with academic and administrative colleagues across the University, you will contribute directly to the accuracy, completeness and quality of the submission. This fixed-term role, until May 2029, offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of research assessment and gain broad insight into how research is supported, evaluated and communicated at Oxford.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinate REF-related processes across departments such as output review exercises, ensuring that information is collected, checked and reported accurately and on time, and helping to develop practical solutions that meet both departmental needs and University requirements.
• Collate, check and present staff, publication and other REF data from multiple sources, supporting decisions on eligibility and the review and selection of research outputs.
• Support the development of narrative elements of the submission, including REF statements and impact case study information, and prepare clear briefings, papers and other materials for academic and administrative colleagues.
• Develop specialist knowledge of REF guidance and criteria, providing advice and support to colleagues at all levels, identifying risks, and sharing best practice and process improvements across the Division and University.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, with experience of administration and/or service delivery within higher education or a similar organisation.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work independently, use initiative, manage competing priorities and meet multiple deadlines in a busy environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with colleagues at all levels, including senior academics, and to handle sensitive or confidential matters appropriately.
• Excellent attention to detail and numerical skills, including the ability to manipulate, check and present complex data using spreadsheets and to draft clear, accurate written material.

What We Offer:

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Family Leave schemes
• Cycle and electric car loan schemes
• Discounted bus travel and season ticket travel loans

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement describing how you meet the criteria, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 9 November 2026.Interviews will take place in person on or around 4th December.