The Research & Knowledge Exchange Manager leads the centralized Research, KE and Innovation Office at UCA, reporting to the Director of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation. The Office provides support for academic staff, schools and research centres to facilitate, advance and evaluate their research and knowledge exchange activities.  The RKE Manager has responsibility for the operational delivery of the RKEI portfolio, including budget management, coordination of research culture and environment, knowledge exchange and impact, researcher and ECR development, REF preparation, and research infrastructures such as ethics and integrity processes. They manage a small team, each of whom has responsibility for specific aspects of this portfolio. The RKE Manager oversees the business of the Research and Innovation Committee, and various other reporting functions including the REF Steering Group and the Ethics Committee. They have responsibility for both KE and research aspects of internal and external funding, supporting the Director to drive external funding success and ensuring the RKEI Office administers and reports funding appropriately. The RKE manager works with UCA’s Schools, Research Centres and Professional Services Departments (including Finance and People & Culture) to ensure RKEI business is communicated effectively and reported on in a timely fashion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational management of external audit processes such as REF and KEF
• Management of internal research and KE funding schemes
• Oversight of pre and post-award external funding
• Research support mechanisms for academic staff, including training and development
• Oversight of research ethics and integrity processes
• Managing and reporting budgets
• Coordination of relevant committees
• Managing a small team

For an informal conversation regarding the role please contact Professor Jane Pavitt, Director RKEI @ jane.pavitt@uca.ac.uk

At UCA, creativity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. Our legacy of educating eager and passionate artists, makers and thinkers runs back almost 160 years, and today we’re helping shape a global future that supports and nourishes talent worldwide.

Our campuses across Surrey and Kent are vibrant communities, each specialising in different areas of the creative industries. We are also home to a thriving research hub, with academic experts and fellows leading the way in research on sustainability, design, textiles, animation, history and culture, and more.

Are you ready to share your passion for creativity with the next generation of innovators? If so, we want to hear from you.

Closing Date: 22 Jun 2026

Department/School: Professional Services

Salary: £48,822 per annum

The Research & Knowledge Exchange Funding Lead is part of the centralized Research, KE and Innovation Office at UCA, led by the Director of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation. The team provides support for academic staff, schools and research centres to facilitate, advance and evaluate their research and knowledge exchange activities. 

The RKE Funding Lead provides support to researchers across all aspects of pre-award research funding. Their responsibilities include developing, writing, editing, and costing funding bids, gathering intelligence about funding opportunities and providing training to staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in securing external funding.

Reporting to the Research & Knowledge Exchange Manager and working collaboratively within the team, the RKE Funding Lead helps researchers develop and secure external research & KE grants by providing specialist support throughout the pre-award and contracting process. Their responsibilities include developing, writing, editing, and costing funding bids, gathering intelligence about funding opportunities, providing training to staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in securing external funding, providing data analysis and reports for the Director/Committees. Acting as a key point of contact for researchers, the RKE Funding Lead offers expert guidance on funder terms and conditions, costing and pricing, due diligence of external partners, and submission processes. They also play a vital role in negotiating research agreements, setting up projects, and ensuring a smooth transition from pre-award to post-award support by working closely with colleagues in RKEI Office and Finance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and disseminate relevant funding opportunities from UKRI, EU, Arts Council, charities, and other funders.
• Support researchers in writing, editing, costing, and submitting competitive funding bids.
• Align external opportunities with UCA’s research strengths and strategic goals.
• Coordinate collaborative bids, including international and interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Deliver training sessions and maintain guidance materials on research funding.
• Track application outcomes to inform strategy and success rates.

For an informal conversation regarding the role please contact Professor Jane Pavitt, Director RKEI @ jane.pavitt@uca.ac.uk

At UCA, creativity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. Our legacy of educating eager and passionate artists, makers and thinkers runs back almost 160 years, and today we’re helping shape a global future that supports and nourishes talent worldwide.

Our campuses across Surrey and Kent are vibrant communities, each specialising in different areas of the creative industries. We are also home to a thriving research hub, with academic experts and fellows leading the way in research on sustainability, design, textiles, animation, history and culture, and more.

Are you ready to share your passion for creativity with the next generation of innovators? If so, we want to hear from you.

Closing Date: 22 Jun 2026

Department/School: Professional Services

Salary: £41,064 per annum

Our lecturers in EAP will have an understanding of how EAP is integrated into arts/design-based curricula.    We are looking for experienced, creative teachers who can develop curricula and materials that engage and inspire students. An understanding of the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI to EAP would be desirable. 

UCA offers a competitive compensation package that includes:

•    35 days of personal holiday 

•    Enrolment in the Teacher’s pension scheme

•    Medical Insurance coverage in China for self and family

•    Visa application expenses for self and family

•    Flight cost

•    Settling-In Allowance

•    Annual repatriation (home visit) allowance

•    Free accommodation in China for self and family

•    School or Nursery/ Pre-school allowance

•    Tax advice

The right candidates will hold a minimum of a Masters degree in a field related to EAP, education or applied linguistics along with professional experience of at least two consecutive years of teaching EAP in the higher education sector or a teaching certification. A PGCert or HEA fellowship is desirable. Active research in the field or ongoing professional practice are considered assets.

We are looking for the passion and drive needed to contribute to the successful development of the Institute and specifically its EAP provision in line with the needs of the wider design curricula at ICI.

If you would welcome an informal chat about the role before applying, or any aspect of living and working in China, please contact Stephen Manning by email (Stephen.Manning@uca.ac.uk) providing your contact details.

Come and join a growing community of design professionals in a location that inspires creativity - you won't be disappointed.

HOW TO APPLY?

Please click the "Apply Online" button below. You will need to upload the following documents to complete the application process:

• Your updated CV.
• A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role (Please view the attached role profile/job description for reference)
• Your portfolio and/or any other supporting documents that you believe would be beneficial (Optional)

Priority will be given to applicants with experience working in the UK, or other countries where courses are taught in English.

Candidates must be able to meet the Chinese visa requirements. UCA will assist with obtaining a visa.

At UCA, creativity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. Our legacy of educating eager and passionate artists, makers and thinkers, runs back almost 160 years, and today we're helping shape a global future that supports and nourishes talent worldwide.

Closing Date: 21 Jun 2026

Department/School: Academic

Salary: £41,064 per annum

Closing Date: 11 Jun 2026

Department/School: Miscellaneous