Public Involvement and Engagement Manager
14 hours ago
Oxford
Public Involvement and Engagement Manager, Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics We’re looking for a Public Involvement and Engagement Manager to join our team. This is an exciting and impactful role within the Oxford Vaccine Group, which forms part of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford. In this position, you will have the opportunity to make a difference and deliver tangible results within a globally renowned institution. • Location: Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine (CCVTM), Churchill Hospital, Oxford, • Salary: £39,424–£47,779 per annum (with a discretionary range up to £51,983), • Contract type: Full-time (part-time considered, minimum 30 hours per week), fixed-term for 2 years About the Role Join the University of Oxford at an exciting moment as we continue to expand the impact of the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG), part of the Department of Paediatrics and one of the world’s leading centres for vaccine development, clinical trials, and global health research. As Public Involvement and Engagement Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring that the voices, experiences and perspectives of research participants and the wider public, guide and enhance our work. In this dynamic and highly collaborative role, you will take day-to-day responsibility for developing, delivering, and evaluating public involvement and engagement activities across OVG’s research portfolio. You will act as the central champion for meaningful public involvement, ensuring it is embedded from the earliest stages of research design through to dissemination and public-facing communications. Working closely with communications specialists, senior academics, research teams, and clinical trial managers, you will lead PPIE initiatives, manage the OVG PPIE group, and oversee the creation of accessible educational materials, including contributions to the Vaccine Knowledge website. This is a hands-on, people-focused role that blends strategic thinking, project management, creativity, and communication. You will develop and deliver workshops, focus groups, consultations, and public engagement events; produce plain-language content for public audiences; support study recruitment communications; and represent OVG at public events. You will also support colleagues seeking to improve their engagement practice and contribute to building a culture that values openness, inclusion, and collaboration. About You The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of working with the public, patients, or research participants, and experience developing and evaluating public involvement or engagement strategies. You will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, engaging materials for diverse audiences. Your interpersonal skills will allow you to work sensitively and effectively with a wide range of contributors, stakeholders, and partners. You will be a proactive, self-directed professional who can manage multiple projects, solve problems creatively, and exercise sound judgement in a fast-paced research environment. Experience of facilitating events, gathering feedback, developing written content for public audiences, and advocating for the value of public involvement will be essential. An understanding of research, healthcare, or vaccine-related public sensitivities is highly desirable, as is experience working in higher education or scientific communication. You will be committed to driving inclusion, broadening participation, and strengthening trust between research teams and the communities they serve. About Us The Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford is a vibrant and inclusive community at the forefront of child health research and clinical care. Our academics and clinicians work side by side to translate world-leading scientific discoveries into real benefits for children and families locally, nationally, and globally. We hold the Athena Swan Gold Award, recognising our commitment to equality, inclusivity, and staff development. Alongside a welcoming culture rooted in wellbeing, we offer opportunities for personal growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact. As part of the Medical Sciences Division, you will join one of the world’s leading environments for biomedical and clinical research, with state-of-the-art facilities and a strong culture of innovation and excellence. What We Offer Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as: • 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days., • One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave., • A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle., • An excellent contributory pension scheme., • Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans., • Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs. The closing date for applications is 12:00pm (GMT) on 6 January 2026. You can view more details by clicking the ‘Apply’ button.