Research Excellence Framework Impact Officer

Job description

Building on the success of its Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 submission, which saw King’s College London ranked 3rd on impact amongst multi-faculty universities and the maintenance of the power ranking of 6th, we are recruiting four REF Impact Officers to support the development of the Engagement and Impact submission to REF2028.  

The successful candidates will work with the Research Impact Lead team, each supporting the units of assessment aligned with one of the REF Main Panels. They will provide professional services support for all aspects of the planning and delivery of the engagement and impact submission. This includes supporting the processes for identifying and preparing impact case studies, and collating evidence of impact. They will provide training and support on the use of evidence collection software, maintain internal resources for impact (including the intranet) and will provide support as required to impact-related groups and events.  

The roles will be expected to be on-campus at least two days per week.

Applicants are asked to indicate their Main Panel preference in their application.  

• Main Panel A – Health Sciences and Medicine 
• Main Panel B – Natural Sciences and Engineering  
• Main Panel C – Social Sciences 
• Main Panel D – Arts and Humanities 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• To work closely with the Research Impact Lead(s) aligned to the REF Main Panel to assist with the delivery of the Engagement and Impact submission to REF2028.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional services and academic staff within the relevant faculty/ies who are working on REF2028.
• Provide support for the processes for identifying and developing REF impact case studies, including gathering and collating evidence.
• Provide support for the development of unit-level REF impact statements, including data collection.
• Provide updates on progress and support the work of the REF Director as required.
• Provide training to colleagues on the use of the Hivve Evidence Vault software, as required, and provide ongoing support where needed.
• Provide secretariat support for impact-related groups, including the Research Impact Committee, as required.
• Engage in appropriate professional and training activities to maintain knowledge and skills in relation to REF and impact and to develop them further.
• To undertake other work commensurate with the post as required.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria  

1. Educated to degree level or comparable work experience.
2. Experience of research support, preferably with some understanding of knowledge exchange and/or research impact.
3. Administrative experience in the Higher Education sector, ideally in an impact, knowledge exchange, communications or research area.
4. Excellent IT skills, including database systems, spreadsheets and word processing.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with a range of professional service and academic colleagues.
6. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
7. Experience of balancing competing, shifting priorities under pressure of deadlines and workload.
8. Experience of note-taking or minuting meetings.
9. Accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable criteria

1. Familiarity with the Research Excellence Framework.
2. Familiarity with an impact tracker tool, such as Hivve Impact Tracker.
3. Familiarity with collection and analysis of qualitative data.
4. Familiarity with the disciplinary areas represented within the Main Panel Area.
5. Ability to manage stakeholders at all levels.