Research Staff Office
The Research Staff Office in Research and Enterprise Services was established in 2013 to coordinate University support for the experiences and professional development of Sussex researchers.
The Research Staff Office works with research staff representatives, colleagues in schools and professional services across the university to champion the needs of research staff. We implement policy and projects to enhance researcher experiences and to support the professional development of research staff at each stage of their research career at Sussex.
Who are we?
Director of Research Staff Development
Lucy is the Chair of the Research Staff Working Group. Her role as Director of Research Staff Development involves promoting the interests of research staff within the University and at management levels. Lucy works with the Academic Schools to facilitate interaction and sharing of best practice in relation to research staff and works on research staff related strategy and policy development and recommendations.
Research Staff Officer
Professional services lead for the Research Staff Office. Hayley oversees the daily activities of the Research Staff Office and manages the implementation of projects and policy to support research staff across the University. This involves developing a training and development programme and working with research staff, professional services colleagues and contacts within schools to co-ordinate and enhance the support offered to all members of current and prospective research staff. Hayley is secretary to the Research Staff Working Group.
Prior to Sussex, Hayley worked as a Careers Consultant at the University of Surrey, supporting Research Staff and Postgraduate Research Students with their career decisions and progression.
E: h.c.cordingley@sussex.ac.uk
T:01273 877979
Mr Alex Aghajanian
Researcher Development Coordinator
Alex provides support to the Research Staff Office projects and coordinates all training and development activities. Alex manages all of the communications from the Research Staff Office, including newsletters and maintainence of webpages. Alex is secretary to the Research Staff Representatives group.
E: Alex.Aghajanian@sussex.ac.uk
T:+44 (0)1273 678709
What do we do for Research Staff?
- Induction
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As part of your induction as a new member of Sussex Research Staff you will be invited to attend a welcome event hosted by the Research Staff Office. At this event you will meet other new researchers and receive an introduction to the variety of support services on offer to you across the university.
We have also compiled a Welcome Guide for new Sussex researchers and have information web pages for new research staff and international researchers.
- Researcher community building
- The Research Staff Office coordinates the termly Researcher Forum, which is an opportunity to:
- Meet and network with other research staff from across the University.
- Have your say on issues affecting you as a researcher at Sussex and give your ideas and suggestions on how we can improve your experience.
- Get information on a range of topics relevant to you as a researcher.
- Communications
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The Research Staff Office coordinates a range of communications for research staff:
- Research Staff Newsletter, the Sussex Researcher – news, events, opportunities, policy and other research staff related information
- Research Staff Web Pages – aim to collate useful information, links and resources relevant to your research career at Sussex.
- Research Staff News/Events channel
- Research Staff Mailing List – Contact list of all research staff across the university along with those involved in supporting researchers. Used to disseminate news and information relevant to all research staff.
If you have information that you would like to communicate to all Sussex research staff, or would like to join the mailing list please contact us at researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk
- Confidential Contact Point
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The Research Staff Office is always keen to hear from researchers and you should feel free to contact us with any issues, ideas and suggestions of how the University could better support the experiences and professional development of research staff. The office can also act as a useful point of contact external to your school or department that can help if you have concerns about any aspect of your role.
The Research Staff Office acts as a useful point of contact external to your School or Department that can help if you have concerns about any aspect of your role. Please email (researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk), call (T: 01273 877979) or drop in to Research and Enterprise in Falmer House any time and we will be happy to help.
- Training and Development
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The Research Staff Office coordinates a variety of training and development workshops specifically tailored for research staff, through the Research Staff Development Series.
For workshop outlines and booking information please see the training and development webpages.
Informal training and development is also provided through themed sessions of the Researcher Forum.
The Research Staff Office also works in close alignment with the Researcher Development team in the Doctoral School, who coordinate the Researcher Development Programme. All courses offered through the Researcher Development Programme are open to research staff. Staff Development Unit courses are also open to research staff and offer training and development in transferable skills (e.g. managing others, appraisals, equality/diversity, transferable skills).
- Coaching and Mentoring
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Any member of Sussex research staff can book free one-to-one confidential professional development coaching sessions with a qualified coach.
The Research Staff Office coordinates group mentoring schemes for researchers where you can receive mentoring in a supportive environment of peers and senior faculty colleagues.
For more information about coaching and mentoring opportunities or to book a one-to-one coaching appointment please visit the coaching and mentoring webpage.
- EURAXESS
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The Research Staff Office manages the University’s partnership with the European Commission’s EURAXESS initiative, which provides support and assistance to researchers living and working in the EU. You can send any queries for EURAXESS via the local contact address Euraxess@sussex.ac.uk.
- Research Staff Strategy and Policy
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The Research Staff Office and Research Staff Working Group coordinate and oversee the University’s practices to uphold the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, with respect to Sussex research staff. In April 2013 the University of Sussex was awarded the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award, which recognised the University’s commitment to the Concordat and our on-going actions for supporting our researchers.
The Research Staff Office monitors National, European and International policy relating to research staff and participates in regional and national networks to keep up to date with best practice in research staff development. We seek input and recommendations from research staff, and research staff managers when making recommendations for changes in University policy or practice relating to research staff.
- Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS)
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Every two years the University asks research staff to participate in the Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS), which gathers the anonymous views of research staff in UK higher education institutions about their experiences, career aspirations and career development opportunities. The results from the Sussex responses provide essential information on the views and experiences of our researchers, and enable us to respond more effectively to the needs of our research staff and to ensure that policy developments are evidence-based.
Visit the University's CROS webpage to see the outcomes of the most recent survey.
Contact Us
E: researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk
T: 01273 877979
Research Staff Office, Research and Enterprise Services, Level 1, Falmer House, University of Sussex, BN1 9QF
