"Head of Operations for the Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Restorative Neural Dynamics"

University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN)’s Brain Network Dynamics Unit

Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TH

The Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) in Restorative Neural Dynamics is an ambitious new flagship research and innovation enterprise that is focused on harnessing the moment-to-moment interactions between nerve cells (‘neural dynamics’) to transform medical device-based therapies for brain conditions.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations who can work collaboratively with researchers and a wide range of other stakeholders to oversee and manage the complexity of this exciting large-scale venture.

You will join the MRC CoRE leadership and play key roles in decision making, strategic planning, and delivering on the challenge-led mission. You will work at a high level and have overall operational responsibility for the administration of the multisite MRC CoRE, including management of its resources, performance, development, and finances. You will be a trusted source of expert opinion, advice and analyses in areas important to the MRC CoRE. You will help lead the MRC CoRE in complex matters and will be a proactive problem solver. You will line manage the members of the MRC CoRE’s Operational Support Team. You will make leading contributions to the embedding and dissemination of best practice and innovations promoting a positive research culture.

This is a diverse and evolving role requiring excellent skills in leadership, management, operational oversight, and strategic thinking. You will have experience of working in a research-intensive university (or in a directly comparable environment), of programme management, of strategic academic and/or research planning in a large organisation, and of service delivery in a complex multi-budget environment. You will also have experience of financial management, including budget profiling and forecasting. You will be adept at building consensus and collaborative relationships, and will have the interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills to effectively engage with stakeholders across academia, industry, and the third and public sectors.

Please see the below 'Job Description' for further details on the role, responsibilities, and selection criteria, as well as further information about the university and how to apply.

To discuss this post in more detail, please contact Professor Peter Magill, the MRC CoRE Director, at peter.magill@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.

The post is full time, but part time with minimum 80% FTE will also be considered. Hybrid or flexible working patterns may be possible in agreement with the MRC CoRE Director.

The post is available from 1st May 2026 and is fixed-term until 31st October 2032 in the first instance.

Only applications received before 12:00 midday on 9th March 2026 will be considered. We aim to hold interviews on 31st March 2026.

Contact Person: NDCN HR Recruitment

Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 9

Contact Email: recruitment@ndcn.ox.ac.uk