Postgraduate Research Support Lead in Sheffield

Overview

RPI supports agreed University and Faculty priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, postgraduate research student (PGR) experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise.

We focus on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators.

We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our external stakeholders and customers, and the external environment in which we operate.

Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.

You will lead a central team coordinating support for some 3,000 PGRs.

An excellent PGR experience is a priority in our research strategy.

We operate a hub and spoke model; a central team you will lead, and with PGR support delivered in each faculty by a Doctoral School.

You will think and plan strategically, using sector networks to keep on top of developments and inform your work.

You will maintain oversight and ensure your team is well connected within RPI and with faculties and other professional teams.

You will provide expert guidance to academic and professional colleagues on the University's regulations, policy, and procedure as well as student systems, research degree funding and financial processes.

You will work closely with the Deputy Vice President (Research) and collaboratively across the faculty Doctoral Schools, academic PGR leads and with key other central professional services to drive continuous improvement and to contribute to initiatives to meet strategic objectives that enhance the PGR student experience.

You will play a significant role in ensuring compliance and supporting statutory returns.

• The primary focus of this role is to
• Lead and manage our central professional postgraduate research student teams, working closely with colleagues across the university to seek input, ensuring consistent processes which are fit-for-purpose in a changing internal and external environment.
• Oversee the postgraduate research student lifecycle: managing research degree programmes, regulatory processes, quality assurance and systems to support these, and operating effectively within our institutional governance framework.
• Ensure a positive and supportive research environment for PGR students that results in an enhanced PGR student experience, with significant improvements in timely submission and completion rates, and a culture of best practice in academic supervision.
• Typical deliverables will include
• Fit-for-purpose and accessible policies and regulatory documents, such as our Code of Practice for Research Degrees, which balance expectations of statutory bodies, funder terms and conditions and University aims and objectives and which are, in turn, implemented effectively.
• Carefully judged, risk-aware advice to a range of colleagues on complex student issues including progression and complaints, and the application of University regulations in specific student cases
• Agreed processes that are transparent and consistent.

For example, for cohort recruitment of publicly funded PGRs, the management of institutionally matched scholarships and statutory returns.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Leadership and management of the PGR Support team in RPI, setting high standards, supporting excellent performance and managing arising issues.
• Strategic oversight of PGR matters ensuring the hub and spoke model works effectively, and relative roles and responsibilities are understood and delivered.
• Lead, or contribute to, University-wide projects which may arise from new or revised legislative or policy requirements, both internal and external, with respect to PGR students.

Consult on and implement resulting changes across the University.

• Oversight of development, implementation and updating of quality enhancement policies and procedures, including the Research Degree Regulations (and updates to the Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes), which satisfy the requirements and expectations of national bodies (e. g.

QAA and UKRI) and compliance (UKVI).

Ensure that these policies and procedures are communicated to and understood by staff, supervisors and students as relevant.

• Support for training of the central team and Doctoral School teams with the aim of driving greater consistency and efficiency in operational activities.
• Coordinate and review materials connected to student complaints or appeals as appropriate, providing advice and guidance as necessary.
• Review and improve processes and systems associated with recording, evaluating, and following up on student engagement and experience.
• Ensure that student outcomes are monitored, meeting standards set by the Office for Students and the Quality Assurance Agency.
• Work closely with colleagues across the University to develop, review and improve policy, processes, and systems to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop an understanding of the rules for funder schemes and maintain oversight of the allocation of internally funded studentships, scholarships, and other financial awards.
• Oversee the University PGR Committee's annual reporting schedule using this as a tool to identify and drive improvements to process and data quality.
• Ensure the needs of PGR students and related staff are represented in appropriate fora.
• Represent the University externally on panels and committees relevant to PGR students.
• Actively promote the successes of PGR students, supervisory and/or programme teams both within the University and more broadly, to relevant external communities, including partners, stakeholders and prospective students.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all.

We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected.

Even if your past experience doesn\'t match perfectly with this role\'s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.

Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Requirements

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification. (Essential)
• Evidence of existing technical knowledge to enable oversight across PGR provision and compliance with regulatory requirements. (Essential)
• Evidence that you can negotiate, influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders at all levels, with clear, considered communications. (Essential)
• Experience of delivering a long-term project with varied stakeholders. (Essential)
• Experience in leading a team and driving performance improvements. (Essential)
• Strategic understanding of external context to determine priorities. (Essential)
• Demonstrable people focus and pragmatic service delivery. (Essential)
• Ability to propose solutions considering policy guidance and individual scenarios. (Essential)
• Ability to integrate, analyse and interpret information from multiple sources to provide risk-based, evidence-based advice. (Essential)
• An understanding of the postgraduate research journey. (Desirable)
• Further Information
• Grade
• Salary
• Work arrangement
• Line manager
• Assistant Director, RPI
• Direct reports
• PGR Manager, Research Degree Support team leader
• Our website www. sheffield. ac. uk/rpi

For informal enquiries about this job contact Meera Warrier, Assistant Director, on m. warrier@sheffield. ac. uk or on 07355 675293

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 10th August 2026.

This will consist of an interview and a supplementary exercise.

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the week commencing 27th July 2026.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield. ac. uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) 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 (e. g., Race Equality, LGBT+, Women\'s and Parents 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 integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, menopause support, fertility treatment support, and more.

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield. ac. uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window).

If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence.

Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society.

Our University Vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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