MoSMed CDT Manager (Job Number: 26000907)
Department of Chemistry
Grade 7: - £38,784 to £46,049 per annum (Pro Rata)
Fixed Term - Part Time
Contract Duration: 13 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 28
Working Arrangements: Working days are flexible over the week.
Closing Date: 28-Jul-2026, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
The University
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. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
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 would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. 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 Role and the Department
Durham Chemistry is a thriving centre for teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and for world-leading research in the chemical sciences. The Department has a long tradition of interdisciplinary research which covers a wide scientific spectrum, from the development of bioactive probes through to the theory and computational study of molecular interactions. Research in the area of biological chemistry is well supported by state-of-the-art facilities located within the Department
The Molecular Sciences for Medicine (MoSMed) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) programme is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) from 2019-2027. The programme is delivered by Durham University in partnership with Newcastle University. It harnesses Durham’s expertise in physical sciences with Newcastle’s incisive biomedical approach to provide a unique offering, both scientifically and for the student experience. The student training programme aims to ensure the next generation of UK researchers are equipped with the specialist skills required for working at the interface between molecular sciences and medicine. The CDT features over 20 biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and related sector partners from the UK and beyond.
The Department of Chemistry is looking to recruit a 0.8 FTE MoSMed CDT Manager. The post holder will provide administrative support to the academic team as well as scientific support to the finishing cohort. This will include monitoring student progress, maintaining metrics on student performance; coordination of industrial placements and organisation of the 2027 conference in Durham. The role holder will provide student support including resolving queries and providing information on academic and welfare related issues, making referrals to other staff, teams and services where appropriate, escalating more specialist and complex queries or issues, as required. In addition, the successful candidate will work with the MoSMed CDT technician to support students’ projects when feasible.
Working closely with counterparts at Newcastle University the role holder will be responsible for collating and reporting data required by the programme sponsors, including financial/budgetary data ensuring that accurate and up to date financial records are maintained and expenditure meets compliance criteria.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample 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 also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- 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.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- 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).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- 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.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential, and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a university equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
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.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of student training programmes within the organisation.
3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
6. Experience of organising conference-style events.
7. Experience of working with Postgraduate students.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including social media and LINUX applications.
10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
11. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
12. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
13. Experience of managing finances and budgets on major projects involving multiple institutions
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. 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.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
- A CV
- A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the essential criteria within the Person Specification of the job description.
- Provide case studies to demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria, for example in conference organisation
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Professor Ehmke Pohl ([email protected])
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
- Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
- Manage the delivery of the MoSMed CDT across the University to a high standard.
- Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff, PhD students and others who you work with, and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
- Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
- Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work.
- Identify any learning needs that should be met by the staff and students and design activities and arrange any training.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by the CDT.
- Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your CDT.
- Seek feedback from staff, PhD students and other key stakeholders so that the MoSMed CDT is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
- Analyse data on the level of service being provided by the MoSMed CDT to recommend areas for future improvement.
- Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
- Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Communication/Liaison
- Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
- Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
- Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
- Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
- Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
- Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Useful links
If you would like further information, you may find the following will help
https://research.ncl.ac.uk/mosmed/
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.
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.
