Research Assistant

Reference
1108527

Branch
De Montfort University (Leicester)

Start date
15/03/2026

Duration
Other - See Job

Hours and days
See advert

Dress code
Smart Casual

Rate of pay
£16.62

Holiday rate
£2.59

Role

Unitemps is a University-owned temporary staffing agency that operates in various universities, including De Montfort University (DMU). There are several benefits to working with Unitemps at DMU:

Networking Opportunities: Through Unitemps, you may have the chance to work with various departments and individuals at the university. This can hep you expand your network and establish connections that may be valuable for your future career.

Professional Development: Many positions available through Unitemps may offer opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement. You can learn new skills and gain valuable knowledge while on the job.

Career Progression: Some temporary positions may lead to permanent employment within the university, giving you a potential pathway for long-term career advancement.

Contribution to the University Community: By working with Unitemps at DMU, you become a part of the university community and can contribute to its success and growth.

More information on the DMU Branch can be found HERE.

The Role

Reporting to the Associate PVC for Research and working under the day-to-day supervision of the REF Manager, the Research Assistant will play a key supporting role in gathering and organising evidence for Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case studies. You will work closely with Research Impact Officers, academic staff, and external stakeholders to identify, collect, and verify evidence from a range of sources, including online platforms, government records, and organisational archives. Attention to detail is essential, as you will ensure all evidence is accurately recorded and compliant with data governance standards. Collaboration and communication are critical, as you will liaise with colleagues across faculties and external partners to achieve shared goals.

This role is a Hybrid/ Remote role, working 37 hours per week from 15/03/2026 until 31/07/2026

Duties and responsibilities

• Implement Evidence Collection PlansFollow detailed evidence-gathering plans provided by Impact Officers, ensuring all tasks are completed accurately and on time.

• Gather and Verify Impact EvidenceCollect documents, data, and testimonials that demonstrate research impact, checking for authenticity and relevance.

• Organise and Maintain Evidence RepositoryUpload and structure evidence in the designated system (e.g., SharePoint) using agreed naming conventions and version control.

• Audit Existing EvidenceReview current case study files to identify missing or incomplete evidence and report gaps to Impact Officers.

• Liaise with StakeholdersContact academics, collaborators, and external partners to request additional evidence, letters of support, or usage data.

• Summarise and Log EvidencePrepare concise summaries of collected evidence and maintain logs linking each piece of evidence to specific impact claims.

• Ensure ComplianceCheck that all evidence meets REF requirements (e.g., date range, attribution) and complies with GDPR and confidentiality standards.

• Track Progress and ReportUpdate trackers and dashboards to monitor evidence collection progress and provide regular status updates to Impact Officers and the REF Manager.

• Document Processes and Lessons LearnedRecord workflows and best practices during evidence collection to support future REF cycles and continuous improvement.

Skills and experience

• To be successful, you will have a good first degree or equivalent experience
• Strong organisational skills. 
• You will be confident in searching for and sourcing evidence from diverse sources, including online tools and official records. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work effectively as part of a team and engage with stakeholders at different levels. 
• You should be comfortable using Microsoft Office and willing to learn new systems. 
• Familiarity with research processes or REF impact requirements are desirable but not essential. 
• A proactive approach, attention to detail, and the ability to manage your own workload are key to this role.

Location
De Montfort University

Additional information

Unitemps is acting as an Employment Business, supplying temporary workers, in relation to this vacancy.

Unitemps DMU operates a monthly payroll - Please refer to the candidate information hub for DMU unitemps in relation to pay dates and further information - https://www.unitemps.com/resources/info-hub/?type=candidate-uk&branch=dmu

We aim to notify all candidates of the outcome of their application however volume of applications sometimes do not allow us to do so; please check your application status via your Unitemps account regularly; we may also communicate via email; please check your junk mail.

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