The University of Sheffield
Research Assurance Officer
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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 pensions 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) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
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 to 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.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Be the first point of contact on undertaking research internationally, triage queries from researchers and professional colleagues, provide appropriate advice or escalate 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.
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Person Specification
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.
Criteria
Essential/ Desirable
| Criteria | Essential/Desirable | Assessment Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Familiarity with academic science and/or engineering through previous work experience or education | Essential | Application |
| Ability to explain complex/technical policy concepts and the consequences to a diverse audience | Essential | Application / Selection exercise |
| Experience of working independently but understanding when to escalate queries | Essential | Application / Interview |
| Excellent attention to detail | Essential | Interview |
| Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, working with individuals, small groups or in a more formal presentation/training situation | Essential | Application / Interview |
| Experience of building a network across functional areas | Essential | Application / Interview |
| Ability to develop and deliver FAQs, standard operating procedures and training or communication materials | Essential | Application / Interview |
| Experience of working in a role which requires continual re prioritisation of tasks and flexibility of approach | Essential | Interview |
| Previous experience of working with export control or other aspects of ‘Trusted Research’ | Desirable | Application |
| Previous experience or supporting research in any work context | Desirable | Application |
Further Information
- Grade: 6
- Line manager: Research Assurance Lead
- Direct reports: None
For informal enquiries about this job contact
Ruth Hambleton, Research Assurance Lead (r.hambleton@sheffield.ac.uk)
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 24th August 2026. This will consist of an interview and short selection exercise. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17th August 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Sasha Napoli (s.napoli@sheffield.ac.uk).
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Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Baseline personnel security standard
This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment.
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
Closing Date: 04/08/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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