Senior Research Associate

The post is for the role of a Network Manager and is a jobshare with another 0.5 FTE Senior Research Associate.

This part-time research post is funded by a three-year BBSRC GCRF grant awarded to Prof. Gary Foster (CONNECTED - Community Network for African Vector-borne Plant Viruses).

The CONNECTED grant funds a new team within the School of Biological Sciences, comprising the Network Manager (jobshare of 2X 0.5 FTE), a 0.4FTE Communications Officer and a 0.4FTE Executive Assistant.

The objectives of the grant are to build a sustainable network of multi-disciplinary international scientists to address the problems created by plant virus vector-borne diseases, to award pump-priming funding for a range of research projects with African partners, to run seminars, workshops and training courses in the UK and Africa, to support collaboration between researchers in the UK and Africa and engagement with end-users, stakeholders and policy makers, to identify and facilitate opportunities for further research funding.

The Network Manager will assume responsibility for delivering the various grant outcomes. These include network membership, national and international meetings, workshops and research events, awarding pump prime funds, managing training fund awards, stakeholder and landscape mapping and strategy.

The post holder will work closely with their jobshare partner and share the line management of the Communications Officer and a 0.4FTE Executive Assistant. They will also work with the colleagues in the University's Cabot Institute, Research and Enterprise Development (RED) and the University finance and support services, the BBSRC and other BBSRC-funded GCRF Networks, and a wide range of international scientists, stakeholders, policy makers and funders.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD (awarded or imminent) in biological sciences or a related discipline. Experience of line management would be desirable.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Dr Diane Hird (Network Manager) email:

The University is committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.