We are seeking an Administrative Assistant to join the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. The Kennedy Institute runs a busy schedule of external and internal seminars, together with management and faculty meetings, social events, and special events such as institute retreats and meetings with advisory boards and other highprofile visitors. The Administrative Assistant will have lead responsibility for the scheduling and administration required to ensure the smooth running of these and other meetings and events at the Institute. They will ensure arrangements are correctly made and communicated to all concerned. The role additionally involves provision of general administrative and communications support including handling a range of tasks for the Director’s office, Strategic Projects and Events Manager, and across the Institute as a whole; assisting the Institute Receptionist, including providing reception cover for any absences.

 

In this role you will be responsible for managing the organisation of meetings, seminars and events by acting as a first point of contact for general enquires, assisting in producing and maintaining the schedule for all meetings and events, and leading on the administrative arrangements (such as developing agendas, organising travel and accommodation and organising event catering). You will also produce and maintain sources of information such as the department’s social media, website and reports to assist the NDORMS Communications team. You will also assist the Director’s EA with the Director’s travel arrangements and expense claims and other general tasks, which may include correspondence and deputising in their absence.

 

You must hold GCSEs (or equivalent) at a grade C or above in Maths and English, have the ability to organise events and make administrative arrangements and hold experience of managing administrative processes. You must have previous experience of working as part of a team in a busy office and be able to demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills. You must have the ability to work independently, with minimum supervision, and a willingness to resolve situations, as well as knowing when to refer issues to others.

An education to A level standard (or equivalent) and experience of reception or customer-facing work are desirable.

How to apply:
The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.

 

Due to the nature of the research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, this job will require additional security pre-employment checks:

•    A satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check

 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Thursday 23 April 2026. Interviews will be held between 4 – 15 May 2026.

This is a full time (part-time at minimum of 0.8 FTE will be considered) fixed-term position (until 30 June 2028).

 

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

 

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching. The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.

 

 

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including: 

 

•    An excellent contributory pension scheme 

•    38 days annual leave 

•    A comprehensive range of childcare services 

•    Family leave schemes 

•    Cycle loan scheme 

•    Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans 

•    Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs 

 

 

We are seeking to recruit a Project Manager who will play a central role in supporting the operational delivery of collaborative research projects in Experimental Medicine within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), in particular, the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. The role requires a proactive and detail-oriented professional with the ability to work closely with academic researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to ensure projects align with institutional priorities, remain on track and deliver on objectives. In this role, you will work within the Experimental Medicine Industry Liaison Team to shape and help ensure delivery of collaborative projects. 

 

 

You will be educated to degree level (or have equivalent experience). Proven project management experience through the full lifecycle, as well as demonstrable experience of budget monitoring and financial management are essential. Experience of working within UK clinical research structures and regulatory and ethical systems is desirable.

 

 

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria. 

 

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and must include a CV and a supporting statement explaining how you meet the selection criteria, using examples of your skills and experience.

 

Interviews will take place during week commencing 11 May 2026 and will be online/face to face

 

Please quote reference 185924 in all correspondence.

 

 

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching. The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.

 

The Medical Research Council have awarded up to £50M over 14 years for a new Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) in Exposome Immunology, hosted jointly by the universities of Manchester and Oxford, and based within the Kennedy Institute. Little is known about the mechanisms by which exposome encounters at mucosal barriers (such as the lung and gut) modulate the immune system to drive inflammation. The MRC CoRE will leverage cutting edge computational approaches, novel experimental models, and experimental medicine studies to decipher this process and identify key points of intervention and prevention.

 

 

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

 

•    An excellent contributory pension scheme

•    38 days annual leave

•    A comprehensive range of childcare services

•    Family leave schemes

•    Cycle loan scheme

•    Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

•    Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

 

 

We are seeking a Staff Scientist focused on humanised in vitro models to better study the mechanisms by which exposome encounters at mucosal barriers (such as the lung and gut) modulate the immune system to drive inflammation. The role will develop technologies to support multiple groups within the MRC CoRE. The position will be based at the KIR but will regularly interact and collaborate with researchers in other MRC CoRE groups in Oxford and Manchester.

 
 

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in immunology, inflammation or a related area with post-qualification research experience, including sufficient knowledge in humanised complex in vitro systems to independently develop and operationalise models and methodologies for a wide range of projects. Strong publication record and familiarity with the existing literature and research in the field are essential.

 

 

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

 

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and must include a CV and a supporting statement explaining how you meet the selection criteria, using examples of your skills and experience.

 

Please quote reference 185925 in all correspondence.