Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Business Support Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Post Number

Grade SC8

Closing Date: 1 Apr 2026

Starting Salary: £24,000-£26,500

Funding End Date: 14 May 2027

Hours per week: 37

Ideal Start Date: 18 May 2026

Duration: 12 months

Job Description

A Business Support Assistant will work within the Operational and Business Support Group, part of the Operations Division at the Earlham Institute. The role supports the Research Faculty, Operations Division, Technical Platform staff, students and visitors to ensure effective operation of the Institute. The Business Support team is part of a small group, working with the Senior Business Support Administrator and the Operational and Laboratory Manager.

Key Relationships

The post holder reports to the Senior Business Support Administrator and works closely with the Business Support team and the Operational and Laboratory Manager. They interact with Institute staff at all levels, as well as Norwich Bioscience Institutes support services, external contractors, visitors and members of the public.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

• Professionally welcoming and registering visitors; assisting with enquiries, car parking and health and safety while on site; responding to telephone and email calls.
• Co-ordinate travel, subsistence and itinerary bookings for staff and visitors in accordance with the EI travel policy.
• Order and monitor business supplies and stationery as required.
• Post collection and distribution throughout EI.
• Assist with diary and logistical management, including arranging meetings (in person and virtual), catering and conference calls for Group leaders.
• Assist new starters with desk allocations, stationery and IT equipment requirements.
• Record staff holiday, sickness and remote working.
• Identify and report estate issues and monitor progress.
• Record new job descriptions, HR forms, expense claims and invoice requests.
• Perform any other duties agreed with the line manager.

Person Profile Education & Qualifications

Requirement: Five GCSEs at grades 4 and above or equivalent, including English and Mathematics.

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Essential: Computer literacy (Microsoft Office/365 including Word and Excel), accurate record keeping, good time management skills and ability to multitask under pressure, ability to prioritise a heavy and diverse workload (desirable).

Essential: Recent experience working in an office environment, working with IT systems, organising tasks, reception or support role experience, working within an academic/scientific environment, experience with diary and travel arrangements.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Essential: Good communication skills, both written and verbal; good interpersonal skills with ability to work well in a team; customer friendly attitude; ability to work independently.

Additional Requirements

Essential: Attention to detail, promoting equality and values diversity, willingness to embrace the Institute's expected values and behaviours, willingness to present a positive image of self and the Institute, willingness to work outside standard working hours when required.

Who We Are

About the Earlham Institute

The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems to understand, benefit from and protect life on Earth.

The Institute is based in the Norwich Research Park and receives strategic funding from the UKRI BBSRC.

Our Science

Earlham scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We have state of the art facilities and technology, including genome sequencing, single cell analysis, engineering biology and large scale automation; one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. The Advanced Training team also provides specialised scientific training.

Our Culture

The Institute champions "team science" and offers a collegial and innovative research environment and strong support for professional development, research and administrative assistance, and collaboration opportunities.

The Institute recognises and rewards staff and students to foster an engaged and positive workplace centred on core values of openness, technical excellence and collaboration.

Additional Information

Salary will be within the £24,000-£26,500 per annum range, depending on qualifications and experience.

This is a full time maternity cover post expected to last for 12 months, though it may be shorter or longer depending on when the absent employee returns.

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 13 April 2026.

Post does not meet UKVI visa sponsorship requirements.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants meeting the essential criteria.

The closing date for applications will be 1 April 2026.