Postgraduate Research Officer in Edinburgh

Postgraduate Research Officer in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 41064 - 48822 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
University of Edinburgh

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coordinate and oversee postgraduate research student administration at a world-class university.
  • Company: Join the University of Edinburgh, a leading institution with a vibrant community.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible work options, and comprehensive staff benefits.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while developing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in postgraduate research administration and strong organisational skills required.

The predicted salary is between 41064 - 48822 £ per year.

UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 per annum

College of Science and Engineering / College Office, Student Administration

Full time - 35 hours per week

Start date, as soon as possible

Fixed term for 12 months or until 30 June 2027.

The Opportunity:

Your next step starts here. Be part of something bigger. With roles from hospitality to research, there’s a career for everyone at the University of Edinburgh. We can offer opportunities for you to develop in your career and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We are a large University covering a wide range of activities. In Professional Services, we support the University’s research and teaching, offering many career and role specialisms.

The College of Science and Engineering is looking for a Postgraduate Research Officer to provide coordination, guidance, and oversight for all matters relating to College-level Postgraduate Research (PGR) student administration, including on-programme support, scholarships, progress monitoring, concessions and examinations.

The post holder will play a key role in the PGR Student Administration team, responsible for providing high quality policy advice to resolve complex queries; overseeing student casework; facilitating College training, briefing and fora meetings; administering training grant funding; servicing the College Postgraduate Research Committee; and advising on PGR collaborations.

Your skills and attributes for success:

  • Expert knowledge and experience working in a postgraduate research (PGR) academic administration environment in UK Higher Education institution.
  • Effective organisational and self-management skills with an ability to manage a diverse portfolio of activities.
  • Strong management abilities, including motivation of staff.
  • Proactive approach with an ability to anticipate and manage change, and formulate and communicate clear and practical advice on its impact.
  • Experience of working within complex regulatory and policy frameworks; ability to interpret and apply regulations and recommend appropriate actions.
  • Negotiation and influencing skills, and successful experience of making recommendations to senior colleagues.

People have always been at the heart of our work. As part of the University, you are a part of our community. We are looking for people with drive, determination, and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful/personalised flexibility for you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

  • Interesting work
  • Good salary/pay rates
  • Excellent benefits and support
  • Contributing to the work and purpose of the University.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are currently operating a hybrid working mode (on a non-contractual basis) that requires a minimum of 2 days on-campus office-based working, one of which is a specified core day. A degree of flexibility is expected from all staff in order to attend other on-campus meetings and events as required.

How to apply

Please upload your CV and a supporting statement sharing your motivation for applying for this post (max 2 x A4 pages) plus a supporting document (max 2 x A4 pages) detailing how you meet the essential knowledge, skills and experience required for the role.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

  • A competitive salary.
  • An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
  • To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
  • Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 9 June 2026. Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. Interviews are expected to be held shortly after the closing date.

Postgraduate Research Officer in Edinburgh employer: University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that values diversity and promotes professional growth. As a Postgraduate Research Officer, you will enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research while being part of a supportive community dedicated to making a positive impact in education and beyond.

University of Edinburgh

Contact Details:

University of Edinburgh Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Postgraduate Research Officer in Edinburgh

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Edinburgh on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the College of Science and Engineering. Know their recent projects and challenges. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.

Tip Number 3

Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around PGR administration. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your relevant experience.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community at the University of Edinburgh.

We think you need these skills to ace Postgraduate Research Officer in Edinburgh

Postgraduate Research Administration
Organisational Skills
Self-Management
Staff Management
Proactive Change Management
Regulatory Framework Interpretation
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your supporting statement, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see why you're excited about being a Postgraduate Research Officer and how you can contribute to our vibrant community.

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in postgraduate research administration. We’re looking for specific skills and experiences that match the job description, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your statements are easy to read and directly address how you meet the essential knowledge and skills required for the role.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.

How to prepare for a job interview at University of Edinburgh

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of postgraduate research administration. Familiarise yourself with the specific policies and frameworks relevant to the University of Edinburgh. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Prepare examples that demonstrate your effective organisational and self-management skills. Think about times when you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects, especially in a complex environment. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised and what tools or methods you used.

Be Proactive

During the interview, highlight your proactive approach to anticipating and managing change. Share specific instances where you identified potential issues before they arose and how you communicated solutions to your team or senior colleagues. This will showcase your ability to think ahead and adapt.

Engage with the Interviewers

Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the College of Science and Engineering and its PGR initiatives. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role aligns with your career goals and values.