Main Purpose of the Job

The main purpose of this role is to support the administration of the BioFAIR Hub hosted at the Earlham Institute. BioFAIR is a data and methods commons infrastructure for UK life science researchers, to maximise the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability (FAIR) and Reproducibility of life science data and data workflows.

Key Relationships

INTERNAL: Reporting to the BioFAIR Project Manager and working closely with the BioFAIR Hub team. This will include the BioFAIR Project Board, Delivery Team and the Research and Technical Advisory Group. They will also work alongside groups across the Earlham Institute and the shared support service teams such as Contracts, Communications and Finance.
EXTERNAL: Spoke organisations, funders and other stakeholder organisations.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Support the BioFAIR Hub at the Earlham Institute, this will include:
• Management of the BioFAIR Hub inbox and calendar, handling general enquiries, supporting the hub with arranging and facilitating meetings for the Project Board, Research Technical Advisory Group, and Delivery Team.
• Ensuring effective project meetings, preparing agendas and minute taking.
• Support the BioFAIR Hub by assisting in preparing and drafting  progress/outcome reports for the Project Board, EI Board of Trustees including collating material, providing text, critical proof reading of documents and papers.
• Assisting with the time management of Spoke organisations, including drafting plans.
• Contributing to media releases by critical reviewing of text.
• Assist with BioFAIR Hub GDPR data management.
• Supporting processes and project policies to ensure compliance with the Spoke Collaboration agreements.
•  Assist in maintaining the central records during the lifetime of the project: tracking the progress of objectives and milestone delivery, budgets, invoices, risk register and a lessons log.
• Event management: arranging meetings, liaising with all stakeholders, arranging travel and accommodation, preparation of papers, minute taking, room bookings, tech support and visitor’s agendas as required.

70

Liaising with external and internal stakeholders
• Facilitate communication with funders and stakeholders of BioFAIR
• Assist with the interactions of the BioFAIR Hub with the spokes.
• Support communication with staff within the Institute regarding BioFAIR activity.
• Networking and fostering relationships throughout UK.
 

25

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.
 

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree level qualified or equivalent experience

Essential

Project Management qualification

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Competent in the use and application of IT systems and computer packages

Essential

Excellent organisational skills

Essential

Competent in managing hybrid online and in-person meetings as a host role.

Essential

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain effective performance when under pressure; meeting the needs of end-users in a timely way

Essential

Good critical thinking to facilitate problem resolution

Essential

Able to develop and implement effective processes

Desirable

Working knowledge of project management productivity tools and principles

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of administration, personal assistant or office manager

Essential

Writing progress reports

Essential

Preparing board packs or senior team meeting agendas and minutes, and taking notes of technical discussions

Essential

Experience of project management

Desirable

Event planning and execution

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Excellent communications skills, both written and oral

Essential

Demonstrates a commitment to high personal and professional standards. Assumes responsibility and accountability for the successful completion of projects, assignments or tasks

Essential

Able to act as an ambassador for BioFAIR and the Institute and build key relationships locally and externally

Essential

Good negotiation skills, able to deal with difficult situations and negotiate agreed solutions

Desirable

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel related to consortia events

Essential

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

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

BioFAIR

Group Details

BioFAIR is a data and methods commons infrastructure for UK life science researchers, to maximise the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability (FAIR) and Reproducibility of life science data and data workflows. The BioFAIR Hub will be based at the Earlham Institute, who will be responsible for coordination, establishing and managing delivery partnerships and governance. 
 

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

BioFAIR Administrator

Applications are invited for an experienced administrator to join the BioFAIR Hub at the Earlham Institute.

Background:

This is a dynamic and highly varied role, the main purpose is to support the administration of the BioFAIR Hub hosted at the Earlham Institute. The post holder will work closely with the BioFAIR Project Manager and other BioFAIR Hub team members to support the delivery of BioFAIR.

BioFAIR is a data and methods commons infrastructure for UK life science researchers, to maximise the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability (FAIR) and Reproducibility of life science data and data workflows. 

The BioFAIR Hub will be based at the Earlham Institute, who will be responsible for coordination, establishing and managing delivery partnerships and governance. 

The ideal candidate:

Applicants should have excellent experience in administration and working knowledge of IT and project management productivity tools. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to draft reports and/or business cases are essential. Candidates should be resilient, adaptable, organised and able to work well as part of a team. Note: A background in research or science is not required, as training on the BioFAIR project will be provided.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,000 to £39,750 pro rata depending on qualifications and experience. This is available as a full-time role of 37 hours per week for a period of 60 months and we welcome applications from candidates seeking part time and/or alternative working patterns.

Interviews will be held Wednesday 22 January 2025

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 12 January 2025.