Main Purpose of the Job

A Business Support Assistant will work within the Operational and Business Support Group which is part of the Operations Division at the Earlham Institute.

The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of two Business Support Assistants, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.

Key Relationships

The post holder will report to the Senior Business Support Administrator and work closely with the Business Support team and the Operational and Laboratory Manager. They will also interact with Institute staff at all levels as well as Norwich Bioscience Institutes support services, external contractors, visitors, and members of the public.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Professionally welcoming and registering visitors to EI. Assisting with enquiries on how to find us, car parking and Health and Safety whist on site. Dealing with telephone and email by redirecting them to the relevant team or responding

25

Co-ordinate travel, subsistence and itinerary bookings for staff and visitors in accordance with EI travel policy

20

Ordering and monitoring of business supplies and stationery as required

10

Post collection and distribution throughout EI

10

Assist with diary and logistical management including arranging meetings (in personand virtual), catering and conference calls for Group leaders etc

10

Assist new starters with desk allocations, stationery, and IT equipment requirements

5

Recording staff holiday, sickness, remote working etc

5

Assist with identifying and reporting estate issues and monitoring progress

5

Record new job descriptions, HR forms, expense claims and invoice requests forms, etc as required

5

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

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Five GCSEs at grades 4 and above or equivalent including English and Mathematics

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Computer literacy (Microsoft Office programs/365 including Word and Excel)

Essential

Accurate record keeping

Essential

Good time management skills with the ability to multitask and perform under pressure

Essential

Ability to prioritise a heavy and diverse workload

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Recent experience working in an office environment

Essential

Working with IT systems

Essential

Organising tasks

Essential

Reception or support role experience

Essential

Working within academic/scientific environment

Essential

Experience with diary and travel arrangements

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

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

Essential

Can demonstrate being a good communicator with a customer friendly attitude

Essential

Able to work independently

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

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

Essential

Williness to work outside standard working hours when required

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

Operations

Group Details

The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of two Business Support Assistants, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Applications are invited for Maternity Cover for a Business Support Assistant to join the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

The Business Support team provide the administrative support to the Research Faculty, Operations Division, and Technical Platform staff, students, and visitors to ensure the effective operation of the Institute. The role is varied and often the team are asked to support the work of the other teams for events or meetings as the need arises. The post holder will work closely in a team of Business Support Assistant, together with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.

The role:

The Maternity cover will work alongside the Business Support Team and will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operation of the Institute.  As a member of the Business Support Team, they will form part of the reception team providing a friendly and professional first point of contact for the institute. 

In addition to reception duties, they will have responsibilities for making travel arrangements both national and international, recording and maintaining records of staff holidays and sickness, including any adhoc tasks as required by the business to ensure services are delivered to a high standard and on time.

The ideal candidate:

The candidate should have five GCSEs at grades 4 and above or equivalent including English and Mathematics.  They should have recent experience of working in an office environment and experience working with IT systems.

The successful candidate should also have good verbal and written communication skills and friendly customer focus to interact with Institute staff at all levels as well as NBI support services, external contractors, visitors, and members of the public.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,000 to £26,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.

This is a full-time maternity cover post expected to last for 12 months, this could be shorter or longer depending on when the absent employee returns to work.

Interviews will be held on week commencing 13th April 2026.

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 1st April 2026.