Open Research Specialist

Are you interested in Open Research, metadata, and building the future of AI-ready scholarly communication? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised Open Research Specialist to join the University of Manchester Library on a fixed term basis to play a key role in the development and delivery of our innovative MORE project.

About the role

This role provides vital administrative and operational support for MORE (Manchester Open Research Environment) – a major new initiative that will position Manchester as a leader in AI-ready scholarly communication. MORE focuses on transforming Author Accepted Manuscripts (AAMs) into rich, structured, machine-readable JATS XML, and on developing enhanced metadata standards that improve discovery, interoperability, and long-term preservation.

As part of the Office for Open Research Team, you will:

• Support the operational roll‑out of a prototype MORE service offer, working closely with Open Research Librarians and project partners across the N8.
• Contribute to the development of enhanced metadata standards, collaborating with Library metadata specialists to capture high-quality, machine-readable metadata, provenance information, and relationships between research assets.
• Provide administrative support for MORE, including documentation, workflows, communications, and engagement activities.
• Support enquiries from researchers and research administrators and help promote Open Research services across the University.
• Develop knowledge and expertise in Open Research practices, scholarly communication workflows, and AI-ready metadata.
• Contribute to training materials and participate in delivery as required.
• Work collaboratively across teams to ensure the Library’s Open Research support services are well-communicated, well-managed, and aligned with institutional priorities.

About MORE

MORE will establish Manchester as a national leader in open, standards-based scholarly communication. By creating institutional alternatives to publisher owned infrastructure, MORE strengthens the sustainability of Green Open Access and gives the University greater control over how research outputs are shaped, disseminated, and analysed. The project will:

• Develop workflows to convert AAMs into JATS XML enriched with structured metadata.
• Ensure outputs are machine-readable, interoperable, and suitable for downstream computational use.
• Build a collaborative, standards-driven model in partnership with N8 institutions.
• Support the University’s long-term strategic commitment to open, transparent, and AI-enabled research.

Who we’re looking for

You will be a motivated and detail-oriented individual with:

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to work proactively and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills – written, oral, and interpersonal.
• Confidence using digital tools and learning new systems.
• The ability to use your initiative to solve day-to-day problems and support service improvement.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to providing an excellent, researcher-focused service.

Experience with metadata, Open Research, or project support is beneficial but not essential – we welcome applicants who are eager to learn.

Why join us?

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a groundbreaking project that will shape the future of Open Research at Manchester and beyond. You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team, with opportunities for professional development and involvement in sector-leading innovation.

What will you get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our university is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to people.talent@manchester.ac.uk

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Lucinda May

Email: lucinda.may@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.