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We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Job Description - Research Project Coordinator (CMP & QLM) (26000134)

• Job Title: Research Project Coordinator (CMP & QLM)
• Job Number: 26000134
• Department: Department of Physics
• Contract: Fixed Term - Part Time
• Duration: 24 months

Closing Date: 18-Mar-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Condensed Matter Physics (CMP) and Quantum Light and Matter (QLM) research sections, within the Department of Physics, are seeking to appoint a self-motivated and experienced Project Coordinator to support the daily operations and the effective and efficient running of their research. The postholder will be a committed, enthusiastic professional who relates well to people at all levels. They will be expected to demonstrate a high level of initiative and be confident in dealing with diverse groups, including visiting researchers, Head of Faculties, Department and Colleges, and research groups across the University. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly to deliver effective administrative research grant support to the CMP and QLM staff and stakeholders. Working closely with senior staff and colleagues, they will take responsibility for the respective research grant administrative services, as well as assisting with data gathering for funding and project applications, organising associated events and research activities and creating and maintaining financial and publishing records. This is an excellent opportunity for someone seeking to develop their experience and knowledge at both strategic and operational levels, and applications are invited from enthusiastic individuals looking to embrace a new challenge.

The Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the very best UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. The Department of Physics is committed to embracing equality and building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment. It is pledged to the Athena Swan charter, where we hold a silver award, and has the status of IoP Juno Champion.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities, women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. We are committed to fair treatment throughout the recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments during the application process and, where successful, within the role.

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Qualifications/Experience

• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Relevant experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services to a high standard.
• Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications and website design.
• Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
• Committed to continuing professional development.
• Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
• Knowledge of the Oracle Financials system.
• Experience of working with academic researchers.
• Experience of working in a HE institution.

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Claire Davies would be happy to speak to you (physics.manager@durham.ac.uk)

Service Delivery

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered.
• Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area.
• Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.
• Ensure that processes and business systems effectively support the services being delivered.
• Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.
• Ensure that data is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.
• Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees.
• Use digital media e.g. SharePoint, Social Media to update team members and colleagues, students and external contacts.
• Prepare reports for senior managers.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events related to associated research grant requirements.
• Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teamwork

• Provide specialist support and advice to CMP and QLM team members on University processes to ensure compliance with regulatory and professional procedures and standards.
• Explain and provide instruction to other team members on how to correctly record and manage data.
• Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.
• Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.
• Support for reception coverage.
• Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
• Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within the CMP and QLM research sections.
• Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.
• Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.
• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external research networks and communities to share good practice, exchange information and contribute to effective collaborative working.
• Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

The post is part time, fixed term for a two year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk