Main Purpose of the Job

We are seeking a NRP Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership Administrator. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates seeking to develop professional administration and customer service skills within the higher education sector to provide support to the Doctoral Training Partnerships Team supporting the Norwich Research Park (NRP) Biosciences DTP. The NRPDTP PhD programme is funded through a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC) award to the John Innes Centre (JIC) and is currently supporting approximately 190 postgraduate researchers who are completing four-year fully funded PhDs at one of the Partner Organisations across the Norwich Research Park, including JIC, Earlham Institute (EI), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The successful candidate will report directly to the NRPDTP Director and will support the delivery of administrative operations as required by the Director and the Doctoral Training Programmes Officer. You will contribute to the delivery of a customer-focussed service to students and staff associated with the NRPDTP and with the University and the Norwich Research Park more generally.

The post will be based within the University’s Postgraduate Research Service satellite office, the NBI Graduate Studies Office (GSO), located in the Earlham Institute on the Norwich Research Park.

The post is offered on a part-time basis (up to 0.4 FTE) for a fixed term period until 31 July 2025. We offer opportunities for hybrid/home working but will require at least 1 day a week to be spent working on site.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Planning and Information Handling

• To manage flows of information to and from Research Councils and DTP partners in relation to the NRPDTP, acting as the official liaison point of contact for straightforward matters. This will include supporting and drafting reviews and reports instigated by the Research Councils, passing information to appropriate staff (both academic and administrative across the DTP and other professional services) and maintaining accurate data and records for post-award administration of the DTP.
• To provide support to the Director and the Doctoral Training Programmes Officer managing the NRPDTP.
• To contribute to planning the schedule of work for the NRPDTP team in conjunction with the Postgraduate Research Manager (NRP) and Doctoral Training Programmes Officer and to be aware of workflow, workload and response times, bringing issues forward to managers as appropriate.
• To administer arrangements for NRPDTP studentships, coordinating calls and liaising with other professional service teams as relevant.
• To assist with the organisation of recruitment and marketing and the admission and selection procedures and processes for the NRPDTP, ensuring the prompt and accurate processing of applications to the programme and coordination of applicant interviews.

Planning and Information Handling continued

• To support student registration and induction, where this relates to NRPDTP students.
• To organise and schedule cohort training events for the NRPDTP including the coordination of the annual NRPDTP conference, liaising with academic and student leads and speakers/ facilitators, booking venues, rooms and catering for these events/courses, recording and tracking feedback and attendance as required.
• To compile and present up-to-date and accurate internal management information and data on the NRPDTP programme, students and alumni.
• To establish, use and maintain accurate and up-to-date records in respect of prospective and current NRPDTP postgraduate research students, ensuring consistency with processes adopted elsewhere in the Postgraduate Research Service and where possible with processes operated by DTP partners.
• To assist with the preparation, production and provision of information, student case studies, other news items and guidance materials for students and staff in a variety of formats including on social media and on the NRPDTP website, and to update these regularly.

Planning and Information Handling continued

• To maintain and organise appropriate filing systems, maintaining appropriate security of data and information.
• To monitor NRPDTP student progression, working with colleagues from the UEA Postgraduate Research Service and at DTP partners, ensuring that appropriate actions are taken on a timely basis.
• To act as a frontline source of information and guidance regarding the NRPDTP to prospective and current students, staff and external partners and to respond to queries, seeking advice from senior colleagues or referring to team members as appropriate.
• To support the NRPDTP Management Board including preparation and circulation of agendas, papers, reports and minutes, liaising with the chair as appropriate and as required.
• To assist the NRPDTP Director and the Doctoral Training Programmes Officer with the financial aspects of the NRPDTP including maintaining records, monitoring budgets and training costs and overseeing payment of PGR studentships and associated payments.

Planning and Information Handling continued

• To liaise with University and NBI staff at all levels, including with Graduate Schools (or equivalent), other University Services and Faculty/local support staff and with external bodies as appropriate.
• To be aware of the Funder’s Terms and Conditions and how these align with the University’s Regulatory frameworks, relevant Codes of Practice, policies and procedures, as they relate to research degree provision.
• To support a range of processes relevant to the postgraduate student lifecycle, including the drafting of correspondence with students and supervisors, and providing support and guidance in relation to standard processes, including some complex, confidential and/or sensitive issues with support from the Director and Doctoral Programmes Officer.

Working in Teams, Groups & Networks

• To be a pro-active member of the wider NBI Graduate Studies Office and help to maintain a safe office environment.
• To resolve issues relating to the efficient and effective operation of the NRPDTP, including workflow/workload issues, bringing these to the attention of the Doctoral Training Programmes Officer as appropriate.
• To liaise with the UKRI-BBSRC and other relevant external bodies on specific matters relating to NRPDTP cohorts.
• To liaise with DTP partners to ensure that prospective and current students are advised of opportunities and options available to them.
• To liaise with UEA and NBI Training Coordinators, the Professional Internship and Placement Coordinator and external bodies as required in connection with NRPDTP cohort training.
• To liaise with appropriate individuals within the NBI Graduate Studies Office and Postgraduate Research Office and to foster a strong networking relationship with colleagues.

JIC and other general duties

• To undertake any additional or alternative duties as required by the Director relevant to the grade of the post.
• To positively support and promote the John Innes Centre’s Values in all aspects of work.
• To abide by all Institute Regulations and Policies relevant to the role.
• To observe at all times the strict rules of confidentiality applicable to work at the John Innes Centre and within the NBI Graduate Studies Office.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Two A levels at Grades A-E and five GCSEs at Grades A-C (including Mathematics and English), or equivalent qualification or experience

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Effective task planning and prioritisation

Essential

Proven IT skills in Microsoft Office packages

Essential

Knowledge of Research Councils and associated frameworks and rules

Desirable

Website and social media content creation

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Excellent customer service experience

Essential

Recent experience of working in a similar administrative role

Essential

Experience of event and project administration/coordination

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong communication skills, both oral and written

Essential

Ability to work collaboratively, participate in team meetings, and support colleagues

Essential

Understanding of how to communicate effectively with students, staff, and third parties

Essential

Experience of independent working as well as working in a team environment

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Commitment to continuous professional development and willingness to learn new skills

Essential

Due to peaks of activity, the role holder may be restricted from taking annual leave at certain times of the year

Essential

A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to undertake additional hours at times of peak activity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

To be agreed

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

NRP Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership Administrator

Salary:            £23,493 - £28,000 per annum, pro-rata depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        Part time (0.4 FTE) until 31 July 2025
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 17 June 2025 
Reference:     20403

We have an exciting opportunity for candidates seeking to develop professional administration and customer service skills within the higher education sector to provide support to the Doctoral Training Partnerships Team supporting the Norwich Research Park (NRP) Biosciences DTP. The NRPDTP PhD programme is funded through a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC) award to the John Innes Centre (JIC) and is currently supporting approximately 190 postgraduate researchers who are completing four-year fully funded PhDs at one of the Partner Organisations across the Norwich Research Park, including JIC, Earlham Institute (EI), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), and the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The successful candidate will report directly to the NRPDTP Director and will support the delivery of administrative operations as required by the Director and the Doctoral Training Programmes Officer. You will contribute to the delivery of a customer-focussed service to students and staff associated with the NRPDTP and with the University and the Norwich Research Park more generally.

The post will be based within the University’s Postgraduate Research Service satellite office, the NBI Graduate Studies Office (GSO), located in the Earlham Institute on the Norwich Research Park. 

The post is offered on a part-time basis (up to 0.4 FTE) for a fixed term period until 31 July 2025.  We offer opportunities for hybrid/home working but will require at least 1 day a week to be spent working on site.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.