Research Integrity Officer

Job Summary

This role is an exciting opportunity to build the research culture at RGU through support for integrity in research. You will foster and embed research integrity, ethics and risk assessment at RGU, working closely with the Vice Principal (Research) and the Head of Research Strategy, Culture and Performance. This role is pivotal to energising our research culture as part of our revised Research Strategy that launched in 2022. You will join the RGU Research Office supporting academic staff to obtain research funding within one of four interdisciplinary research themes: Environment, Energy & Sustainability; Living in a Digital World; Health & Wellbeing and Inclusive & Creative Societies.

You will act as an expert advisor ensuring academic staff understand the standards required to undertake high quality research, by coordinating a robust training programme appropriate for all disciplines.

A key aspect of the role will be to work with our academic schools and School Ethics Review Panels (SERPs) to embed a culture of research integrity and good research practice within the University, including our Graduate school and Post Graduate Researcher community. You will support the University’s Research Integrity and Ethics Sub-Committee (RIESC), the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), and NHS-based research.

You will also coordinate the University’s interaction with key research-relevant Concordats and Charters, including Researcher Development, Research Integrity, Knowledge Exchange as well as our engagement with the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

You will be highly motivated, with excellent organisational and communication skills and be able to work independently to drive activity across RGU.  Bringing with you knowledge of the UK integrity, ethics and risk landscape as it applies to research as well as experience of working in governance or research support roles you will join a progressive university, with a masterplan to continue developing state-of-the-art facilities in a beautiful riverside campus location.

For further information please contact Grant Davidson, Head of Research Strategy, Culture and Performance. g.davidson6@rgu.ac.uk

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits. 

RGU's ultra-modern campus, located on the outskirts of the vibrant and prosperous city of Aberdeen, offers a superb place to live, work and develop your career. A relocation package is available to assist with your transition to RGU and more information can be found in our Relocation Policy

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO:   Head of Research Strategy, Culture and Performance

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST:

• Proactively drive support for research integrity, ethics and risk assessment across RGU, ensuring research is underpinned by rigorous high standards.

• Contribute to the development of university policies for research integrity, ethics and risk assessment in consultation with the VP (Research).

• Coordinate RGU’s interaction with research-relevant Concordats and Charters, capturing the current status and developing action plans to implement as appropriate.

• Development of a positive and resilient research culture across RGU through support for ethics, integrity and risk.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Research Integrity

• Develop researchers’ understanding of their research integrity responsibilities, including appropriate internal contacts for disclosure of integrity concerns.

• Develop and coordinate a research integrity training programme for academic staff and research students.

• Lead on an internal research integrity communications plan to share best practice.

• Undertake regular reviews of the University’s Research Governance and Integrity and Research Ethics Policies.

• Produce the University’s annual statement on research integrity.

• Ensure University policies meet compliance requirements, through monitoring of changes to key legislation and regulations that affect research integrity and ethics, and lead on the implementation of necessary updates.

Research Ethics and Risk Assessment

• Undertake approvals for ethics/risk assessment for research activity at pre-award       application stage.

• Provide the secretariat for the Research Integrity and Ethics Sub-Committee with the Convenor.

• Provide the secretariat for the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body, working with the Establishment Licence Holder and the Convener.

• Support for IRAS and Caldicott applications (for NHS-based research), including providing relevant advice to staff and students, and liaising with the VP (Research) and Contract Manager.

• Maintain records of NHS correspondence in relation to IRAS proposals and processing amendments as required.

• Maintain a database of NHS Ethics and Clinical Trial data and providing this annually, or as requested, to the RGU Insurance/Risk Manager.

• Develop and coordinate a programme of training events to support internal knowledge of ethics and risk as they relate to research for both academic staff and research students.

• Lead on an internal research ethics and risk communications plan.

• Lead on the development of the University’s Research Ethics policy.

Research-relevant Concordats and Charters

• Identify and share relevant information with respect to research relevant research Concordats. Create appropriate action plans for their implementation at RGU.

• Create training materials for academic staff and PGR students in respect of relevant research Concordats.

• Lead on internal knowledge exchange, to increase sharing of best practice in relation to the Concordats’ principles.

 

General responsibilities:

• Maintain strong relationships with academic researchers and senior management to promote research integrity and effectively communicate this advice and guidance to the University community.

• Be an advocate for a culture of continuous change and engage constructively with university change consultations.

• Have an understanding of, and commitment to, the University’s policies and procedures and promote Equality and Diversity and a positive research culture.

• Maintain confidentiality of information in line with data protection requirements and University policy.

• Represent RGU at relevant research integrity and ethics external meetings

 

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Qualified to degree/Masters or equivalent experience

Knowledge

Knowledge of the UK integrity, ethics and risk landscape as it applies to research

Experience

Experience of working in governance or research support roles

Experience of internal and external stakeholder liaison and management

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

Knowledge of research relevant Concordats

Knowledge of Worktribe

Experience

Proven experience in a university environment

Experience in the NHS as researcher or in R&D

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication

Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 2: Service Delivery

Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 3: Decision Making Processes and Outcomes

Experiences of: using own judgement to make decisions; making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions; providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.

Behaviour 4: Liaison and Networking

Experiences of: circulating information in an accurate and timely manner; working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships; leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest.

Behaviour 5: Analysis and Research

 Experience of identifying or designing data gathering and analytical methods appropriate for each investigation, and producing reports that identify key issues and findings

Behaviour 6: Initiative and Problem Solving 

Experience of using initiative and creativity to resolve problems, identifying practical and suitable solutions.