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Job Vacancies

All applications for our vacancies are made online through the University of Oxford jobs website and only in very exceptional circumstances can we receive applications via other means. 

If you have a disability or other compelling reason that prevents you submitting an application online please email the divisional HR team at divoff.jobs@medsci.ox.ac.uk for advice. 

Vacancies for committees and other internal positions are listed below with information on how to apply. 

Academic Lead for Research Funding 

Role Description

Introduction 

As the Academic Lead for Research Funding you will be part of a small academic leadership team supporting the Medical Sciences Division’s research ambitions. This will include supporting selection of candidates for external funding opportunities and internal research funding awards by reviewing internal applications, chairing review panels and overseeing selection processes. The Academic Lead will also contribute to development of strategy and processes, ensure appropriate leadership and governance for the research funding space. 

The Academic Lead for Research Funding will work across the disciplinary breadth of the Medical Sciences Division and so must be interested in and highly committed to the development of clinical and non-clinical research, including beyond their own area of expertise. The role will require consideration of risks and benefits across the whole Division, plus external drivers in the research landscape, and the ability to work collegially to provide input to vision and strategy. 

The Academic Lead for Research Funding will report to the Associate Head of Division (Research) and will be supported by the professional services staff in the Medical Sciences Divisional Office and the chairs and reviewers of MSD’s established panels and sub-committees. The Academic Lead will also engage with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), MSD senior leadership, Heads of Departments and central professional services teams.  

This appointment will be made for two years in the first instance, with periodic reviews. The appointment is open only to internal applicants holding an existing contract of employment with the University of Oxford who expect to be able to commit to the role for two years. All applicants will need the support of their Head of Department to take on this role which is expected to be undertaken alongside existing duties. The time commitment is expected to be 5 hours per week on average, with variation over the year following the annual cycle of funding activity. A Responsibility Allowance is payable (equivalent to Schedule V – currently £9,090).

Key duties and responsibilities

  1. Lead and support the selection of candidates for external funding opportunities through coordinated bids by reviewing internal applications and overseeing selection processes
  2. Lead and support the selection of applicants to receive internal research funding by overseeing selection processes for all internal funding schemes relevant to MSD, and chairing and reviewing internal applications for some schemes 
  3. Contribute to development of strategy and processes to ensure the Division is effective in allocating its internal funding to support research 
  4. Ensure appropriate academic leadership and governance is in place in the research funding remit, including chairing selection committees and supporting Chairs of established schemes, and using diplomacy to give constructive feedback or resolve conflict 
  5. Support strategic developments in research across MSD and the wider University, drive development of new initiatives in the research funding space in MSD, and engage with development of central initiatives on behalf of the Division 
  6. Support engagement with external funding bodies, including Wellcome and MRC 
  7. Support preparation of nominations for MSD researchers for high-profile external Prizes 
  8. Support review and institutional sign-off of Host Organisation letters/statements of support for external funding applications where the funder/University requires Divisional input 
  9. Chair or participate in occasional mock interview panels for applicants invited to interview for major external awards such as MRC Centres of Research Excellence 
  10. Represent MSD as needed at relevant central University fora including Research & Innovation Committee and John Fell Fund Main Committee, and ensure appropriate representation at sub-committees  
  11. Deputise as needed for the Associate Head (Research) 

Selection Criteria 

Essential

  1. An academic position in a Department in the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division and a research profile of international standing
  2. Experience of conducting peer review of funding applications outside your immediate area of expertise 

  1. Experience of effective committee participation (including chairing) and ability to command the respect of colleagues, build consensus and resolve conflicts 

  1. Awareness of and interest in research far from your own area of expertise, including both clinical and non-clinical disciplines 

  1. Ability to consider opportunities and risks across the whole Division plus external drivers in the research landscape 

  1. A collegial approach to developing policies and resolving problems 

  1. Demonstrable effectiveness of collaborating with professional services colleagues 

  1. Experience improving research culture and factors affecting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and commitment to advancing the Medical Sciences Division’s goals in these areas  

  1. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities and a clear plan for delivering on the responsibilities of this role alongside others.  

Desirable 

  1. Experience of contributing to the strategic development of a Department, Division or the University as a whole 

  1. Experience of developing and implementing strategies to achieve long-term goals

Academic Lead for Policy Engagement 

Role Description 

Introduction

The Academic Lead for Policy Engagement will be a key part of a small academic leadership team supporting the Medical Sciences Division’s ambitions to maximise the impact, funding and reputation of our research through innovation and engagement activities. We have aspirations to increase the impact of our research on public policy at a local, national and international level, by building capacity for researchers to undertake high-quality policy engagement activities, and through developing our relationships with key policy stakeholders. The postholder will provide leadership in this space, advocating for high-quality policy engagement activity across the Division, and supporting the development of a transformative programme of activities led out of the Medical Sciences Divisional Office (MSDO). Furthermore, the Academic Lead will ensure that the Division’s interests in terms of policy engagement are represented in relevant University-wide initiatives and committees.

The Academic Lead for Policy Engagement should have a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges surrounding policy engagement work at either a local, national or international level, and an understanding and willingness to support this across the disciplinary breadth of the Medical Sciences Division.

The Academic Lead for Policy Engagement will report to the Associate Head of Division (Research) and will be supported by the professional services staff in the Medical Sciences Divisional Office, primarily the Public and Policy Engagement Facilitator. The Academic Lead will also be expected to engage with other Academic Leads for the Medical Sciences Division (including Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement; Research Culture); the University Champion for Policy Engagement, MSD senior leadership, Heads of Departments and central professional services teams. 

This appointment is open only to internal applicants holding an existing contract of employment with the University of Oxford for the duration of the appointment. All applicants will need the support of their Head of Department to take on this role which is expected to be undertaken alongside existing duties. The time commitment is expected to be 2 hours per week on average, with variation over the year. The appointment will be made for two years in the first instance.

Key duties and responsibilities

  1. Provide strategic direction to the Medical Sciences Divisional Office’s approach for supporting policy engagement activity. This includes identifying researcher and departmental needs, identifying external opportunities, and developing Divisional priorities to maximise the policy impact of our research
  2. Work with the Public and Policy Engagement Facilitator, MSDO, and other Academic Leads where relevant, to support the implementation of the division’s strategic policy engagement activities to enhance the impact of MSD research
  3. Act as an advocate for policy engagement activities across MSD. Gather insights from departments and researchers at all levels of the barriers, challenges and opportunities with regards to policy engagement.
  4. Represent the Division’s interests in policy engagement at an institutional level by contributing to relevant committees and other institutional initiatives as required. This will include being the Division’s representative on the OPEN Steering Group, chaired by the University’ Academic Champion for Policy Engagement (Terms of Reference available here).
  5. Deputise as needed for the Associate Head (Research) 

Selection Criteria 

Essential

  1. An academic position in a Department in the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division and an established research profile
  2. Significant experience of policy engagement activities at a local, national or international level, and a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges for researchers in achieving policy impact from their research
  3. Experience of effective committee participation (including chairing) and ability to command the respect of colleagues, build consensus and resolve conflicts
  4. Awareness of and interest in research far from your own specialty, including both clinical and non-clinical disciplines
  5. A collegiate approach to developing strategies and resolving problems
  6. Demonstrable effectiveness in collaborating with professional services colleagues
  7. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities and a clear plan for delivering on the responsibilities of this role alongside others.

Desirable

  1. Experience of working with stakeholder(s) to drive a change in regulatory policy
  2. Experience of contributing to the strategic development of a Department, Division or University as a whole
  3. Experience of developing and implementing strategies to achieve long-term goals

Academic Lead for Patient Involvement and Public Engagement

Role Description 

Introduction

The Medical Sciences Division is committed to advocating for, and providing support for, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research as a way of continually improving the quality and relevance our of world-leading health research. Furthermore, the University recognises responsible and purposeful engagement with communities and the public as an integral part of our research, driving collaboration and creating positive change. The Medical Sciences Divisional Office supports a range of engagement activities, in particularly the development of engagement plans in major research bids led out of the Divisional office, and connecting departmental led activity with University-wide strategies and initiatives. We are seeking to grow our resources in this area to meet increasing demand for support, particularly in the pre-application stage of major bids and in addressing structural barriers to high-quality engagement, but also to deepen our connections with key partner organisations, including Oxford BRC, Oxford Health BRC, local NHS Trusts and Local Authorities. 

This role will provide academic leadership across the spectrum of participatory research, public and community engagement activities happening across the Division, but with a particular focus on patient involvement as this is a priority for the Division. The Academic lead will be a key part of a small academic leadership team reporting to the Associate Head (Research) supporting the Medical Sciences Division’s ambitions to maximise research impact, funding and reputation of our research through innovation and engagement. 

The Academic Lead will be supported by the professional services staff in the Medical Sciences Divisional Office, primarily the Public and Policy Engagement Facilitator. The Academic Lead will also be expected to engage with other Academic Leads for the Medical Sciences Division (including Policy Engagement and Research Culture); the University Academic Champion for Public and Community Engagement, the University’s Local and Global Engagement Officer, MSD senior leadership, Heads of Departments and central professional services teams. The Academic Lead will also be the Division’s representative on the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) Advisory Board, the University’s central function to support PCER activities. 

The Academic Lead for Patient Involvement and Public Engagement should have experience of involving patients in research, a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges surrounding patient involvement work, and willingness to support this across the disciplinary breadth of the Medical Sciences Division. 

This appointment is open only to internal applicants holding an existing contract of employment with the University of Oxford for the duration of the appointment. All applicants will need the support of their Head of Department to take on this role which is expected to be undertaken alongside existing duties. The time commitment is expected to be 2 hours per week on average, with variation over the year. The appointment will be made for two years in the first instance.

Key duties and responsibilities

  1. Provide strategic direction to the Medical Sciences Divisional Office’s approach to supporting patient involvement and broader public and community engagement activity across the Division
  2. Act as an advocate for patient involvement, public engagement and community engagement activities across MSD, and through this also gather insights from departments and researchers at all levels of the barriers, challenges and opportunities with regards to engagement activities.
  3. Provide support to address institutional barriers and other systemic issues that prevent or impede high quality patient involvement and public engagement work.
  4. Work with the Public and Policy Engagement Facilitator, MSDO, and other Academic Leads where relevant, to support the implementation of the division’s strategic PPIE activities
  5. Represent the Medical Science Division’s interests in patient involvement and public and community engagement at an institutional level by contributing to relevant committees and other institutional initiatives as required. This will include being the Division’s representative on the Public and Community Engagement with Research Advisory Board, which meets termly.
  6. Deputise as needed for the Associate Head (Research)  

Selection Criteria 

Essential

  1. An academic position in a Department in the University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division and an established research profile
  2. Significant experience of involving patients in research and a good understanding of best practice and challenges in this area
  3. An understanding of funder(s) requirements in regards to patient involvement in research
  4. Awareness of and interest in research far from your own specialty, including both clinical and non-clinical disciplines
  5. Experience of effective committee participation (including chairing) and ability to command the respect of colleagues, build consensus and resolve conflicts
  6. A collegiate approach to developing policies and resolving problems
  7. Demonstrable effectiveness in working with professional services colleagues
  8. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities and a clear plan for delivering on the responsibilities of this role alongside others. 

Desirable

  1. Experience of contributing to the strategic development of a Department, Division or University as a whole
  2. Experience of developing and implementing strategies to achieve long-term goals

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