Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support postgraduate research students and manage their lifecycle at the University of Sheffield.
- Company: The University of Sheffield is a world-class institution known for its diverse community and innovative research.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, discounts, and a commitment to your development and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant academic culture that values diversity and makes a real impact on society.
- Qualifications: Strong interpersonal skills, IT proficiency, and the ability to manage sensitive information are essential.
- Other info: This is a full-time, entry-level role with a fixed-term contract until October 2026.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the PGR Support Officer role at The University of Sheffield
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the PGR Support Officer role at The University of Sheffield
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
The University of Sheffield provided pay range
This range is provided by The University of Sheffield. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
Our postgraduate research student community plays a central role in the research life of the University. PGR students undertake their own programme of research, supervised by an academic team, and also contribute to the wider research culture, output and impact of their group, academic discipline and department.
Postgraduate support officers work closely with PGR students, the academic PGR leadership and other key Professional Services colleagues. You will be based within the Faculty Doctoral School, with the Faculty Doctoral School Manager, Senior PGR Support Officer and additional PGR Support Officers. You will be the first point of contact for all aspects of the postgraduate research student life cycle, providing professional and knowledgeable support to both PGR students and academic staff who supervise PGR research programmes. You will ensure delivery of a range of processes and procedures and ensure that student feedback is heard and responded to.
Main Duties And 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, such as Ethics, liaising with Professional Services where appropriate.
- 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 and provide cover in other Schools as may be required.
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 is 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.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with experience of responding efficiently and effectively to queries.
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to communicate effectively with staff and students in person and in writing
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to deal sensitively with students and staff from a wide variety of cultures
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to manage own workload in consultation with colleagues, and meet planned deadlines as well as unscheduled tasks
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to work on own initiative, recognising when to refer matters to senior colleagues
Essential
Interview/Application
Proven IT skills, with experience of working with Microsoft packages, Google packages, email and the internet
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer term implications
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
Essential
Interview/Application
Ability to work effectively within a team, developing positive relationships with others and assisting others to achieve objectives.
Essential
Interview/Application
Excellent event organisation skills, with the ability to manage events and meetings targeting internal and external stakeholders.
Essential
Interview/Application
An understanding of the education sector and of the key issues affecting higher education.
Desirable
Application
Further Information
Grade
G5
Salary
£27,319 to £31,236 per annum
Work arrangement
Full-time
Duration
Fixed-term to 7th October 2026 to cover mat leave
Line manager
Senior PGR Officer
Direct reports
N/A
For informal enquiries about this job contact Jodie Burnham, Faculty Doctoral School Manager: on j.a.burnham@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 8748
Next steps in the recruitment process
We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 1 week of the closing date. Contact j.a.burnham@sheffield.ac.uk if you require any reasonable adjustments.
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 38 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 (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 access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- 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 Employer. 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. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/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.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Other
-
Industries
Higher Education
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The University of Sheffield by 2x
Get notified about new Support Officer jobs in Sheffield, England, United Kingdom.
Education Quality Assurance Support Officer
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Rotherham, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Police Community Support Officer – Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle, Oxford, Sheffield, Swansea, Swindon and York
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Wakefield, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Worsbrough, England, United Kingdom £30,000.00-£32,000.00 2 months ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Matlock Bath, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Barnsley, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Chesterfield, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Belper, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Governance Professional 22.2 hours per week
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Doncaster, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Governance Professional 22.2 hours per week
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Ecclesfield, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Sheffield, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Doncaster, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PGR Support Officer employer: The University of Sheffield
Contact Detail:
The University of Sheffield Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PGR Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University of Sheffield's postgraduate research programmes. Understanding their structure and requirements will help you engage more effectively during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in supporting PGR students.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former PGR Support Officers or academic staff at the University. They can provide valuable insights into the role and the specific challenges faced, which can help you tailor your approach and questions during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your event organisation skills. Since the role involves arranging various milestones and events for PGR students, showcasing your ability to manage logistics and coordinate with multiple stakeholders will be crucial during the selection process.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current issues in higher education, particularly those affecting postgraduate research. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show your commitment to the field and your readiness to contribute positively to the university's environment.
We think you need these skills to ace PGR Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the PGR Support Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific duties.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and application statement, emphasise any previous experience in customer service, administration, or support roles, particularly within an educational context. Use specific examples to demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to manage workloads.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since effective communication is crucial for this role, ensure your application reflects your ability to communicate clearly and professionally. Use concise language and structure your application logically to make it easy for the reader to follow.
Address the Person Specification: Make sure to reference the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification. Provide concrete examples of how you meet these criteria, especially regarding teamwork, problem-solving, and event organisation skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
As a PGR Support Officer, you'll be the first point of contact for students. Highlight your excellent interpersonal and customer service skills during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've effectively responded to queries or supported individuals in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Abilities
Event organisation is key in this role. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing events and meetings. Provide examples of how you've successfully coordinated logistics, ensuring everything runs smoothly and meets deadlines.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Higher Education Issues
Understanding the education sector and its challenges is crucial. Research current issues affecting higher education and be ready to discuss them. This shows your commitment to the role and your ability to engage with the academic community.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and sensitivity when dealing with diverse cultures. Prepare scenarios where you've had to analyse a situation, solve a problem, or manage sensitive information, and explain your thought process.
