VIEW VACANCY - SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR (DIVISIONAL ADMINISTRATOR) - PNAC - LMB 2685

Open Date
11/08/2025, 08:00
Close Date
08/09/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Research Institute / Unit Information
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.
There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 4

Location
Cambridge
Salary
£36,196 - £39,463 per annum
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Type
Administration & Management
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Job Description

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential: Educated to degree level (or equivalent through experience).

Desirable:

• HR, finance or management qualification.
• Formal IT training or IT qualification.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Significant experience in a complex and diverse administrative role.
• Experience in a role that includes HR responsibilities.
• Experience of working independently in a fast-moving environment in which high quality administrative support is relied upon in situations where senior management advice is not always available.
• Experience of managing and developing staff, including the ability to delegate.
• Experience of dealing with staff at all levels.

Desirable:

• Experience in the academic or public sector or in a scientific environment.
• Experience in a role with financial responsibilities, including budget management.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• Knowledge of HR policies and experience of dealing with HR issues, knowing when to escalate issues to HR specialists.
• Good numeracy skills and adequate expertise in the use of spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience of organising meetings

Desirable:

• Experience of drafting reports, or elements of reports, for external consumption.
• Experience of managing specific projects and event management.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with others both within the Division and externally (e.g. UKSBS, HR, Finance).
• Effective team member willing to work collectively to deliver more effective solutions or processes, but respectful of the roles and experience of others.
• Highly organised and competent with the ability to prioritise work against changing priorities, dealing with many situations and problems simultaneously and answering queries in a timely manner.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and provide accurate information.
• Good analytical, risk-based problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply sound judgement, sometimes in tense situations, ensuring that the longer-term implications are taken fully into account.
• Ability to capture fine details and ensure consistency of data in an efficient manner.
• Ability to work without or under limited supervision and to use initiative when required.

Desirable:

• Ability to deal with difficult situations and, with suitable support, able to determine appropriate actions and then to carry these through.
• Experience of leading a group to deliver a project with team members from across an organisation.
• Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development.

Further Information

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

HR

• Provide HR policy advice to Heads of Division and Group Leaders, seeking expert input and interpretation from LMB HR Advisors as necessary.
• Ensure Divisional dissemination and implementation of corporate policies, updates and Staff Bulletins as circulated by LMB HR.
• Manage, end-to-end, the hiring of senior positions that report directly to the Heads of Division, providing them with advice and guidance regarding the process and related policy and coordinating all aspects of the recruitment for these Programme Leader and Programme Leader Track vacancies.
• Authorise recruitment campaigns on behalf of the Heads of Division, providing advice and guidance to recruiting managers on job descriptions and person specifications.
• Oversee all HR processes within the Division including but not limited to, recruitment, liaising with HR on immigration issues, inducting new starters, managing the probation process, processing contractual changes, recording sickness and Fit Notes, submitting annual leave adjustments, special leave requests and flexible working requests, processing awards and allowances and administering leavers.
• Manage the annual appraisal process within the Division, ensuring high quality appraisals and reporting.
• Manage all administrative procedures relating to visiting workers in the Division. This will include liaising closely with LMB HR Advisors regarding immigration implications and the LMB Finance Office regarding funding, as well as induction and ongoing contract management.
• Manage Divisional responsibilities in respect of students, liaising closely with the LMB Postgraduate Office.
• Manage a variety of databases for the Division including but not limited to, HR information, stores cards, research projects and the internal telephone directory.
• Be fully accountable for the quality and accuracy of HR data in respect of all members of the Division, ensuring resolution of queries on the corporate Oracle system directly with UKSBS.
• Identify and deal with any HR concerns proactively so that they do not escalate into larger issues, seeking HR advice where appropriate

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To provide proactive support to the Heads of the PNAC Division at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in their execution of the leadership and management of the Division.
To support the needs of the researchers within the Division in an efficient and effective way, whilst also paying due attention to corporate requirements.
To manage the Divisional Office, ensuring it is responsive to the needs of members of the Division.
To have primary responsibility for HR and financial management and administration for the Division and for decision-making associated with specific aspects of these functions. To be accountable for the quality of advice and guidance given in these areas, proposing or executing solutions to problems wherever possible.
To work collaboratively with the wider administrative team supporting the work of the LMB to ensure efficient and effective services and support.
The official title internally for this role is Divisional Administrator and this will be reflected in the contract of employment for the successful candidate.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

HR

• Provide HR policy advice to Heads of Division and Group Leaders, seeking expert input and interpretation from LMB HR Advisors as necessary.
• Ensure Divisional dissemination and implementation of corporate policies, updates and Staff Bulletins as circulated by LMB HR.
• Manage, end-to-end, the hiring of senior positions that report directly to the Heads of Division, providing them with advice and guidance regarding the process and related policy and coordinating all aspects of the recruitment for these Programme Leader and Programme Leader Track vacancies.
• Authorise recruitment campaigns on behalf of the Heads of Division, providing advice and guidance to recruiting managers on job descriptions and person specifications.
• Oversee all HR processes within the Division including but not limited to, recruitment, liaising with HR on immigration issues, inducting new starters, managing the probation process, processing contractual changes, recording sickness and Fit Notes, submitting annual leave adjustments, special leave requests and flexible working requests, processing awards and allowances and administering leavers.
• Manage the annual appraisal process within the Division, ensuring high quality appraisals and reporting.
• Manage all administrative procedures relating to visiting workers in the Division. This will include liaising closely with LMB HR Advisors regarding immigration implications and the LMB Finance Office regarding funding, as well as induction and ongoing contract management.
• Manage Divisional responsibilities in respect of students, liaising closely with the LMB Postgraduate Office.
• Manage a variety of databases for the Division including but not limited to, HR information, stores cards, research projects and the internal telephone directory.
• Be fully accountable for the quality and accuracy of HR data in respect of all members of the Division, ensuring resolution of queries on the corporate Oracle system directly with UKSBS.
• Identify and deal with any HR concerns proactively so that they do not escalate into larger issues, seeking HR advice where appropriate.

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection polic