Post Graduate Research Officer
Apply for the Post Graduate Research Officer role at The University of Sheffield.
Pay range
The University of Sheffield pays a base range of £27,319 to £31,236 per annum (pro‑ratio). The salary can progress to £33,951 (pro‑ratio) through outstanding contribution.
Overview
Our postgraduate research student community plays a central role in the research life of the University. Students undertake their own programmes under academic supervision, while support officers enable student success and contribute to the research culture.
Responsibilities
* Act as first point of contact for PGR students, working with the academic PGR supervisors, School PGR Leads, and the Faculty PGR Lead and their deputies.
* Maintain a regular overview of student progress and attendance data to ensure that students meet milestones on time, reporting data to the Faculty Doctoral School Manager.
* Support the PGR application process, working closely with central admissions and School PGR Leads to support the central initial assessment, directing relevant queries to academic supervisors, ensuring interviews are arranged and conducted, recording decisions, communicating with applicants, and supporting compliance with the University’s PGR recruitment regulations and standards.
* Support pre‑ and post‑registration activities for accepted PGR applicants as appropriate, working with School PGR Lead, including induction, registration and welcome events for new students.
* Make arrangements for a variety of progress milestones, such as organising venues and attendees for confirmation reviews or oral examinations, ensuring these are compliant with the University’s regulations and standards.
* Advise on the application of the University’s Code of Practice for PGR degrees and other procedures, including liaising with Professional Services.
* Support the administration of internal and external scholarship processes and applications for PGR studentships.
* Update and maintain appropriate University, Faculty and School systems and databases, to provide an ongoing record of PGR and research activity.
* Support the administration of financial activities relating to the setup of funding forms and processing of RTSGs.
* Ensure student details are captured correctly and by the deadlines on external systems such as Je‑S (which is used by UK Research & Innovation, UKRI).
* Ensure financial and progress reports are provided to UKRI funders via Je‑S.
* Provide support to and represent the School/Faculty at relevant committees, meetings and events as appropriate.
* Contribute to the production of materials for PGR students including School online handbooks (as appropriate), programme materials and descriptions, ensuring that all materials are consistent with those provided by the Faculty and institution.
* Engage with local and University networks to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge of internal policy and procedures.
* Understand and be able to signpost to other support available to PGR students (e.g. international, well‑being and mental health).
* Provide administrative support for Centres for Doctoral Training where required and agreed with the Doctoral School.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
* Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to queries.
* Ability to communicate effectively with staff and students in person and in writing.
* Ability to deal sensitively with students and staff from a wide variety of cultures.
* Ability to manage own workload in consultation with colleagues, and meet planned deadlines as well as unscheduled tasks.
* Ability to work on own initiative, recognising when to refer matters to senior colleagues.
* Proven IT skills, with experience of working with Microsoft packages, Google packages, email and the internet.
* Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer‑term implications.
* Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
* Ability to work effectively within a team, developing positive relationships with others and assisting others to achieve objectives.
* Excellent event organisation skills, with the ability to manage events and meetings targeting internal and external stakeholders.
* An understanding of the education sector and of the key issues affecting higher education.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of higher education administration.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in January 2026. This will consist of a test and an interview. A tour of The Wave and the Doctoral School working space will be included. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 12 January 2026. Contact Adam Ross (adam.ross@sheffield.ac.uk) if you require any reasonable adjustments.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our vision, values and strategic plan are outlined at sheffield.ac.uk/vision.
What We Offer
* A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holidays and closure days (pro‑ratio) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
* Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development with access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
* A range of generous family‑friendly policies such as paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, support for those going through menopause and fertility treatment.
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to the next stage of the selection process.
Salary and Work Arrangement
Part‑time, open‑ended, working 17.5 hours per week. Pattern to be agreed.
Line Manager
Senior PGR Support Officer.
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