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Brunel Research Institutes Central Support

The Brunel Research Institutes Central Support team (BRICS) provides a professional, effective and efficient support service for all members of the three Research Institutes: Energy Futures; Environment, Health and Societies; and Materials and Manufacturing.

The team works with the DVC (Research) and the Institute Directors, to develop and deliver the Institutes’ 5-year Strategic Plan and to implement activities set out in the Institutes’ Annual Plans.

Key activities include:

  • Managing research project administration, mainly at start-up and close down of projects, with particular emphasis on KTP and EU projects;  
  • Ensuring all policies and concordats are adhered to, with special consideration for research ethics and integrity. Providing accurate and where required, specialist advice and guidance on research policies;
  • Assisting in the recruitment process for contract researchers;
  • Induction of academic and contract research staff to Institute spaces;
  • Managing the Research Catalyst Fund programme, which provides financial support to Institute members to improve the visibility of their research, to stimulate ambitious research projects and pump-prime innovative, inter-disciplinary research;
  • Provision of locally-based management, technical and administrative support to the larger Themes;
  • Responsibility for Health and Safety within the Institutes;
  • Managing the Institute’s risk register for research activities and major projects;
  • Liaising with central departments such as HR, Finance, Marketing, Estates etc.;
  • To provide the Institute Directors with management information on agreed metrics for academic and research staff. To monitor research output and provide appropriate reports;
  • Organising research focussed conferences, seminar series, workshops and external collaborative research activities;
  • Cross-Institute Project support, including REF, Equipment management, PACE, Estates works etc.;
  • Participation in Continuous Improvement events  such as REAP, HR/Finance etc.;
  • University and Institute Committee support and representation (including UREC, University and Institute H&S, Institute Management Board, Research Strategy, Institute Research, etc.)