Research roles

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0c11f6f2-c28f-4f30-8e5b-1d48c16b178a.doc 15 May 2007 Page 1
Generic Research Roles Analyses (this document will continue to be refined as roles change over time)
These Role Descriptions are intended as a guide to help increase understanding of the kinds of evidence required at each specified grade. The actual evaluated grade of a
post depends on its specific circumstances, and the fact that a role-holder may appear to meet several of the examples cited does not necessarily mean that a case for
promotion has been established.

Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)
Grade 6 7 8 9

Responsible to: Typically, Principal Typically, Principal Investigator Research project team (or theme) Research project team (or theme)
(post title) Investigator leader leader
Purpose of the role: Support and undertake Develop a research profile through Lead the development of research Make a major contribution to the
research to meet the the pursuit of funding, conducting through the pursuit of funding, development and delivery of
specified aims of projects. of research and dissemination of conducting of research and research and its strategy.
Contribute to development findings. dissemination of findings.
activity and dissemination Contribute to the national and
of findings. Contribute to the national and Contribute to the national and international research reputation of
Contribute to the national international research reputation of international research reputation of the institution.
and international research the institution. the institution.
reputation of the Work within the strategic direction of
institution. Work within the strategic direction Work within the strategic direction of the University as a whole, and within
Work within the strategic of the University as a whole, and the University as a whole, and within the University’s code of ethics and
direction of the University within the University’s code of the University’s code of ethics and practice guidelines.
as a whole, and within the ethics and practice guidelines. practice guidelines.
University’s code of ethics
and practice guidelines.
Major Work Areas: 1. Support and 1. Form individual and/or joint 1. Lead the formation of individual or 1. Major contribution to the
undertake research project proposals. joint project proposals. development of research
activity, which may be projects.
in a variety of forms, 2. Identify sources of funding and 2. Identify sources of funding and
according to the pursue the process of securing pursue the process of securing 2. Lead/steer the research strategy
nature of the funds. funds sufficient to ensure at departmental or sub-
research. sustainability of research output. departmental level.
3. Conduct individual and
2. Contribute to planning collaborative research projects. 3. Lead 3. Lead
and development, bids/opportunities/collaborations bids/opportunities/collaborations
writing of 4. Write and/or contribute to with other institutions and bodies with other institutions and bodies
reports/publications, publications or disseminate producing demonstrable benefits producing demonstrable benefits
dissemination of research findings using other to the University. to the University.
research findings. appropriate media.
4. Responsible for conducting and 4. Provide leadership/steer
5. Make presentations at complying with ethical research regarding ethical research
conferences or exhibit work at risk assessments for projects generally in the
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Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)
other appropriate events. managed. department/faculty.

6. Extend, transform and apply 5. Conduct individual and 5. Conduct individual and
acquired knowledge to collaborative research projects. collaborative research projects.
teaching, further research and
appropriate external activities. 6. Write and/or contribute to 6. Lead/steer the delivery and
publications or disseminate dissemination of research
research findings using other projects.
appropriate media.
7. Publish outputs as appropriate
7. Make presentations at to discipline that are of
conferences or exhibit work at international reputation.
other appropriate events.
8. Take a strategic lead on:
8. Extend, transform and apply extend, transform and apply
acquired knowledge to teaching, acquired knowledge to teaching,
further research and appropriate further research and appropriate
external activities. external activities.

9. Publish outputs as appropriate to 9.
discipline that are of high national
reputation.

10. Act as a referee and contribute to
peer assessment of grant
proposals and publications.

Communications Oral Oral Oral Oral
Contribute to the Present the results of own Present the results of own research at Present the results of own research
presentation of research research at conferences within and conferences within and outside of the at conferences within and outside of
results at conferences. outside of the University. University. the University.
Present research results Present research results at Present research results at seminars Present research results at seminars
at seminars within the seminars within the University. within the University. within the University.
University. Communicate with academic staff Communicate with academic staff and Communicate with academic staff
Communicate with and peer groups of researchers on peer groups of researchers on and peer groups of researchers on
academic staff and peer research related matters. research related matters. research related matters.
groups of researchers on Discuss issues with students and Discuss issues with students and staff Discuss issues with students and
research related matters. staff as part of the process of as part of the process of supervising staff as part of the process of
May negotiate access to supervising projects. projects. supervising projects.
project informants and May communicate the aims of Communicate the aims of research at Communicate the aims and strategy
maintain contact with research at external meetings. external meetings. of research at external meetings.
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Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)
them. May negotiate access to project
May conduct interviews as informants and maintain contact Written Written
part of the process of with them. Write and/or contribute to research Write and/or contribute to research
gathering data. May conduct interviews as part of reports and publications. reports and publications.
the process of gathering data. Write and/or contribute to funding Write and/or contribute to funding
Written applications. applications.
Contribute to research Written Write research articles or newsletters. Write research articles or
reports and publications Write and/or contribute to research Written communications to a wide newsletters.
and/or funding reports and publications. range of internal and external Written communications to a wide
applications. Write and/or contribute to funding contacts concerning research range of internal and external
May write research applications. matters. contacts concerning research
articles or newsletters. Write research articles or matters.
Written communications to newsletters.
a wide range of internal Written communications to a wide
and external contacts range of internal and external
concerning research contacts concerning research
matters. matters.

Teamwork & Take direction from the Contribute to the research team Leader of research project(s) and Lead the development and delivery
motivation Principal Investigator or objectives. Not closely directed their associate team(s). of a major area of research at
other senior colleague. and expected to develop own departmental or equivalent level.
Attend project meetings research profile, techniques and
as required. decide priorities.
Guidance is generally available
from more experienced academic
colleagues.
May supervise the work of
Research Assistant(s) or
equivalent other post AND/OR lead
on a particular aspect of the
research.
Organise project meetings.

Liaison & May collaborate with Undertake research in Develop external networks. Lead and develop internal networks
networking colleagues outside of the collaboration with colleagues Collaborate actively within and e.g. by chairing and participating in
immediate research team. outside of the immediate research outwith the institution to complete institutional committees.
team. research projects and advance
May connect with other thinking. Develop links with external contacts
research teams with Connect with other research teams to foster collaboration and generate
different but related areas with different but related areas of Occasional invited speaker. income. e.g. other education and
of research. research. research bodies, employers,
Seek sources of additional funding professional bodies.
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Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)
May actively participate in Actively participate in networks that and generate income.
networks that seek to seek to promote research Regular invited speaker at
promote research collaboration, further develop the international conferences.
collaboration, further area of research and seek sources
develop the area of of additional funding. Foster links with Research Councils.
research or seek sources
of additional funding. Called upon by government or
others to provide advice, where
appropriate.

Service delivery Conduct literature Review literature. Lead the delivery of research through Make a major contribution to the
searches. Undertake research as described the pursuit of funding, conducting of development and delivery of
Support and undertake in grant proposals. research and dissemination of research strategy.
research as described in findings. Foster links with Research Councils.
grant proposals. Contribute to the design of the
research activity in accordance Project management & co-ordination
Contribute to some with grant proposals. of outputs. Realise opportunities for knowledge
planning and development exchange with internal and external
activity. Realise opportunities for knowledge partners and end users at a strategic
exchange with internal and external level.
partners and end users eg through
dissemination and application of (See role purpose above)
research outputs,

(See role purpose above)

Decision making Individual: Decide how to Individual: develop an individual Individual: budget management at the Individual: direct resources of a
processes & undertake own work. research profile and decide how individual project level. Ethics risk research budget. May decide who
outcomes the research is conducted. assessment decisions. May decide should speak to the media in
Jointly, with line manager: Consider alternative ways of most who should speak to the media in response to a request.
on methods and effective use of budget. response to a request.
approaches.
Jointly, with the PI: staff Joint: research programmes and Joint: decisions that impact on other
Advice to students and appointments; substantial methodologies. related research programmes.
other staff: regarding equipment purchases; long-term
research methodology aims of the research. Advice: advise colleagues internally Advice: contribute to the
and techniques. and externally on areas of specilaism. development of new research
Advice to students and other staff projects or activities. External
and externally: regarding research advice eg to government & media.
methodology and techniques.
Planning & Plan and manage own Plan and manage own research Responsible for the management of Contribute to the development and
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Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)
organising research activities and activities and priorities to meet specified project(s). direction of research activity over a
resources priorities to meet project project targets. Contribute to the management and substantial area of research.
targets. planning of resources (financial,
Determine best value for Typically, plan the work of 1 equipment, people) across areas of
project resources and Research or other assistant and/or research.
feed this information to co-ordinate external team
senior colleagues. members’ activities and/or with the
planning of student research
Assist with the planning of the
overall project (where relevant),
and with the organisation and
management of workshops and
other events.
Initiative & problem Contribute to resolving Resolving practical and theoretical Resolve practical and theoretical Resolve problems of development,
solving practical problems problems concerning methodology, problems concerning the conducting, delivery and strategy across
concerning the day to day analysis and ethics that arise whilst validation and reporting of research. research projects.
running of the project eg conducting research are typical
organising and if problems and may also be the Take initiative on the development of Lead the development of ideas for
necessary cancelling an most complex type of problem. ideas for generating income and generating income and promoting a
interview or a focus group Examples of other problems that promoting a substantial area of substantial area of research.
may arise are concerned with: research.
validation of outcomes through to
publishing results; precision Resolves the day to day problems
measurement; gaining access to associated with the management of
project participants; finding and projects.
developing funding and projects.

Analysis & research Supporting and Conduct individual and Lead individual and collaborative Lead/steer the direction of research
undertaking research collaborative academic research. academic research. and significantly contribute to
activity. Solve unique, open or unsolved Solve unique, open or unsolved research strategy.
research issues to meet project research issues to meet project goals.
goals. Disseminate research findings. Identify advances in techniques and
Disseminate research findings. approaches to dissemination.
Lead in data analysis, methodology
and techniques.

Sensory & physical Examples of demands depend on the nature of the research, and range from normal (straightforward) computer use (at the lowest level) through
demands to use of complex tools, equipment and instruments.

Work environment May be required to respond to situations where people are angry, emotional and/or distressed.

May be exposed to a variety of other safety hazards, depending on the nature of the research e.g. chemicals or other hazards in a laboratory.
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Post title Research Associate Senior Research Associate Research Fellow Senior Research Fellow
(Principal Investigator)

May be responsible for the safety of others, e.g. in fieldwork situations.

Pastoral care & Typically, will provide welfare Provide pastoral care and welfare Provide pastoral care and welfare
welfare support to 1 Research or other support to team supervised. support to team supervised.
assistant (as their supervisor). Responsible for welfare issues May provide leadership/steer
relating to project staff and regarding ethical research generally
Typically, as supervisor of student participants as part of ethical research in the department.
projects, provides some welfare risk assessments.
support as required.

Team development Develop colleagues in the team by As Team Leader, develops the team. As a leader of team(s), develops
sharing own skills, knowledge and them.
expertise.

Teaching & learning Provide informal Supervise or co-supervise ug Contribute to the teaching and Contribute to the teaching and
support assistance to ug and/or pg and/or pg student projects. learning programmes in the learning programmes in the
students. department. department.
Teach/train students and staff in Teach/train students and staff in Teach/train students and staff in
various research techniques. various research techniques. various research techniques.

Contribute to the development of Supervise post graduate research Supervise post graduate research
module(s) of scheme(s) of study. students. students.

May lead the development of
schemes of study from research.
Knowledge & Particular knowledge and Sufficient expertise to write Possess sufficient breadth and depth Acknowledged authority in the
experience technical expertise authoritative material or provide of knowledge in discipline to develop subject area with international
appropriate to the area of guidance in a broad area of research project(s). reputation.
research. research.
Possess sufficient breadth and
depth of knowledge in discipline to
develop research programme(s).