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- Tasks: Support Postgraduate Research students and ensure excellent student experience.
- Company: University of Derby, a top-rated modern university with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, local pension scheme, wellbeing support, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a positive impact through innovative research and teaching.
- Qualifications: Experience in student administration and strong IT skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 15600 - 24000 £ per year.
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground‑breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department Innovation and research is at the heart of everything we do at Derby; it informs our learning and teaching, supports businesses, drives partnerships and provides real‑world impact. The University Innovation & Research Department (I&R) is responsible for our research and knowledge exchange activities including funding opportunities, knowledge transfer partnerships, researcher development, ethics, impact, the Doctoral College, postgraduate research students, and external returns including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
About the Role In this role you will work as part of a small Postgraduate Research student support team with a focus on providing an excellent student experience. Based in our Doctoral College, you will work with Postgraduate Research students and Academics ensuring that University academic regulations, policies and processes are followed. Working confidently across multiple systems, you will accurately process records, follow key workflows and maintain high‑quality data to support management and statutory reporting. The role requires meeting KPIs, handling complex queries and managing fluctuating workloads during peak periods. This position is offered on a fixed‑term basis to cover a period of maternity leave, with the contract due to end in early July 2026. There may be the potential for the contract to be extended beyond this date, however this cannot be guaranteed.
About You The successful candidate will have experience of student administration in a post‑16 setting. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to understand complex requirements. You will have demonstrable experience of providing excellent customer service in addition to an ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload including meeting deadlines. Strong IT skills including MS Office and experience of using IT systems are essential.
Benefits Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Local Government Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high‑street retailers Discounted onsite gym Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development.
Key Contact For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Jill Warren, Interim Research Student Office Team Leader via j.warren4@derby.ac.uk.
Important Information The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Work route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. Please visit our website for more information.
Research Student Advisor employer: University of Derby
Contact Detail:
University of Derby Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Student Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Derby on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help you stand out when it comes to interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the university's values and recent achievements. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in making a positive impact and contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to student administration and customer service. We need to show that you can handle complex queries with ease and confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at the University of Derby.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Student Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting postgraduate research students shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of making a positive impact!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in student administration and customer service. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle complex queries and manage workloads effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see how you meet the requirements of the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Derby
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the University of Derby's mission and values. Understand their commitment to student experience and how your role as a Research Student Advisor fits into that. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in student administration and customer service. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to handle complex queries and manage workloads effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Get Familiar with Their Systems
Since the role involves working across multiple systems, brush up on your IT skills, especially with MS Office. If you have experience with any specific student administration systems, mention them. This shows you're prepared and tech-savvy.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the Doctoral College and the support team. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your career aspirations. Think about asking how they measure success in this position.