Research Assurance Officer

Work Arrangement:
Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:
Permanent

Salary per annum (£): 32,080.

Closing Date: 04/08/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window).

UK universities undertake ground‑breaking research in a complex external environment. We undertake checks to assess risks and provide practical advice and guidance to our researchers to help them undertake exciting and collaborative research whilst meeting the external requirements and ensuring their research complies with regulations and policies. You will be the first point of contact for a range of enquiries, offering advice and information and raising more complex issues.

This requires you to be enquiring and tenacious with assertive, but diplomatic communication skills. Great analytical skills, finding professional fulfilment in explaining complex concepts and policies to a range of audiences and offering pragmatic, professional support with the necessary administration are all key to success in this role. This is a great opportunity to work with a network of professional colleagues, to offer valued support to researchers in Engineering, Science and Health.

You will develop and deliver a range of communications and training material to raise awareness of the requirements for working with international research partners.

We will provide training and guidance so that you can gain the required knowledge.

• Be the first point of contact on undertaking research internationally, triage queries from researchers and professional colleagues, provide appropriate advice or accelerate queries internally or to external agencies as appropriate.
• Secretary the ‘International Security Ops’ group (operational leads from across the university) to ensure international security is considered across the breadth of the University’s activities, preparing agendas and taking minutes of the meetings.
• Enable access to training and monitor compliance, responding to requests for data.
• Manage our interface with external systems such as export licence applications and record keeping.
• Under line management oversight, make submissions and notifications to the government of our activities.
• Once you have developed your knowledge of the area, you will:

• Develop initial training and awareness raising resources.
• Work with colleagues to establish responses to any gaps in compliance with both internal policies and external legislation.
• Coordinate network of colleagues to share good practice, experiences and decision making. Keep up to date with developments in the area and engage with relevant national bodies.
• Continuously evaluate and propose improvements to our processes and procedures to ensure they are both fit-for-purpose and as efficient as possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the role.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Familiarity with academic science and/or engineering through previous work experience or education.
• Ability to explain complex/technical policy concepts and the consequences to a diverse audience.
• Experience of working independently but understanding when to escalates queries.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, working with individuals, small…