Medical Sciences Divisional Office Staff Induction
Welcome to the Medical Sciences Division
Professor Gavin Screaton, Head of Division
I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Medical Sciences Division and wish you every success in your new role within the Medical Sciences Divisional Office. Our aim is to support the activities of the departments and units that make up the Medical Sciences Division. We are the largest of the four academic divisions in the University, with a long prestigious history. Today we are a thriving, multidisciplinary community, and an internationally recognised centre for excellence in biomedical and clinical research and teaching.
Like you, I'm relatively new to Oxford as Head of Division and am still learning how to navigate this complex yet exciting environment. I hope you find the information in this induction useful as you settle in to your new role.
Introduction to the Medical Sciences Divisional Office
Mr Chris Price, Divisional Registrar and Chief Operating Officer
I am delighted that you have chosen to work within the Medical Sciences Divisional Office (MSDO) teams and I look forward to getting to know you. The MSDO teams, who are responsible to the University Registrar through me, comprise approximately 90 people, and are structured around several disciplines that provide administrative support for the governance of the Division. The teams within the Medical Sciences Divisional Office are based across multiple sites, including the John Radcliffe Hospital, the Old Road Campus and Science Area and the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, and includes the Medical School and Medical Sciences Graduate School.
The Division's Departments and Units
The Division comprises 16 departments, and their constituent units, institutes and centres, spread across three sites in Oxford (the Science Area and Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Old Road Campus and hospital sites in Headington) and includes numerous clinical research units in Africa and Asia. Over 5,500 academics, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, NHS clinicians and GPs together contribute to our extensive and exemplary research, teaching and clinical portfolios. Learn more about our Division, research in our departments, and our teaching activity.
About the University
The University of Oxford is a complex and stimulating organisation which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence in research and teaching. The University has a student population of over 23,000 and employs more than 13,000 people - the largest employer in Oxfordshire.
Working in the Division
In your first week, you will have an 1:1 induction with a member of the HR team and they will go through policies and processes with you, including your holiday entitlement, options for flexible working, mentoring opportunities and the probation and PDR processes. You should also have an individual induction meeting with your line manager. Temporary staff can find information relevant to them on the Temporary Staffing Services website.
Getting online
MSD IT Services can help you to get up and running quickly. In your first few days, they'll help you to set up your email, provide you with access to personal and shared drives and get your phone working. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of IT services to meet your on-going needs, such as encrypting your laptop and advice on working at home and on the move securely.
Keep informed
There are many different communication channels available in the Divisional Office, both for you to find out what's happening across the Division and the University, and also for you to communicate with staff and students in the Division. Staff can also sign up to receive University publications such as the Gazette, Blueprint, Oxford Magazine and the Academic Adminstration's news alert.
Stay safe at work
We take your health and wellbeing at work very seriously and have many resources available to support you. It's important that you not only get your workspace set up correctly, but that you also know what to do in case of an emergency, and the Divisional Safety Officer or a member of the HR team are here to help and offer advice.
Training and development
Our University is committed to supporting and developing its staff. A range of initiatives, centres and digital learning options offer staff the opportunity to develop new skills in diverse areas; these include time management, assertiveness, IT systems and more. Through the Language Centre and Department for Continuing Education, staff are also able to pursue personal interests and even learn a new language!
University Support
University Administration and Services (UAS) is the collective term for the central administrative departments of the University. They offer information about working at the University through staff handbooks and can provide guidance on areas including: Payroll and Pensions; The Equality and Diversity Unit; Staff representation and trade unions; Family Friendly benefits; and Support for carers.
Benefits for staff
Permanent staff at the University are able to access a range of benefits. These are many and varied, and include discounts in shops across the city; support for family life (including childcare options); transport and season ticket schemes; access to sports facilities and University buildings; and more.
Networks and settling in
There are a variety of networks available for staff to join at the University of Oxford. These offer staff the opportunity to share experiences and make new contacts. If you are new to the city, the University also offers information about the events and venues it has to offer!
How to
- Make an expense claim
- Raise a Purchase Order
- Book a room
- Book catering
- Use the Science Shuttle
- Book a taxi
- Add a signature block to your email
- Use HR Self-Service to view and print your payslip/ P60
- Use TeamSeer to make holiday bookings and record sickness absence
- Use the Chorus telephone system
- Get IT help
Things to do in your first week
-
Apply for your MSD IT account
- Activate your Nexus email
- Add your profile to the divisional website
- Complete the Information Security Awareness Training module
- Complete the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment
- Complete the Equality and Diversity course
- Take the induction for new staff online course