Student Support Officer - Life Sciences in Glasgow

As part of its commitment to the wellbeing and success of its students, the University of Glasgow is expanding its student support model to ensure that all students have access to a range of types of support appropriate to their needs and that services are visible, seamless, effective and tailored to the needs of the student community. A wide programme of early intervention self‑help activities and resources is complemented by a peer support programme and a network of College‑based Student Support Officers and access to specialist student services, including Financial Aid, Careers, Counselling & Psychological Services, Disability Service, Learning Enhancement and Development Service (LEADS).

The network of College‑based Student Support Officers is now expanding to create teams who will work across all 4 Colleges and School divides, as well as in specialist areas within Student and Academic Services. Working closely together as a network will ensure that students’ needs can be identified at an earlier stage and the most appropriate kind of support provided so that they can fulfil their learning potential.

Job Purpose

Led by the University’s Student Support and Wellbeing function and based within one of the 4 Colleges as an integral member of the College student support team, the Student Support Officer (SSO) will help students to be successful learners, by providing first line support, encouraging and helping students to resolve issues and difficulties, and signposting them to sources of information, advice and guidance in relation to their studies, their wellbeing and their future lives and careers. The post holder will ensure the effective visibility, coordination and seamless delivery of student support and wellbeing provision so that students can access the support they need and when they need it in their local context. They will share relevant insight and knowledge of the student journey to develop student services across the institution and collaborate with colleagues to promote University wide initiatives, that support our shared values and promote ambition and excellence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide a wide range of advice, information and first line support to students, resolving issues independently and referring/escalating to the appropriate services and personnel.
• Facilitate referral routes and effectively triage student enquiries to other services where and when appropriate (including Finance Office, Careers, Counselling & Psychological Services, Disability Services, Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service, International Student Support, Global opportunities and Advisors of study).
• Develop, promote and facilitate a communications calendar to highlight services and initiatives at points in the academic year.
• Make full use of social media, Moodle, website and other media used by students.
• Keep abreast of the range of self‑help resources and services available from across student services to signpost students effectively.
• Work with Student Support and Wellbeing and the School Advisory Service, to act as a point of contact for students identified as at risk of withdrawal.
• Develop awareness and understanding of University policies to ensure continuity of support for students, and adoption of best practice throughout Services and the School.
• Work in partnership with services to gather regular student feedback, record and monitor service satisfaction and impact.
• Use this feedback to make recommendations for service improvement in the interest of the student experience.
• Build effective relationships to deliver services in partnership across the institution and residences, including within Student and Academic Services and the wider student support team within the local school.
• Forge effective working relationships with external agencies (such as Student Representative Council) to help supplement student support.
• Any other duties that might be reasonably required as the service develops.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

• Essential: A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar role(s). Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (SVQ level 3, HNC) or equivalent, and experience of professional development in a similar role.
• Essential: A2 Sound knowledge of higher education regulations, processes and student support services.
• Essential: A3 Awareness and understanding of student needs in Higher Education.
• Desirable: B1 Awareness of issues relating to disabilities.
• Desirable: B2 Knowledge of Student Finance and Funding Sources.
• Desirable: B3 Trained in Mental Health First Aid.

Skills

• Essential: C1 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Essential: C2 A proven ability to remain calm, demonstrate empathy and be professional at all times.
• Essential: C3 Effectively plan and organise own workload and demonstrate excellent time management skills ensuring agreed timescales are consistently met.
• Essential: C4 Proven ability to be proactive, creative, innovative and inclusive, ensuring an efficient approach to working practices, both autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Essential: C5 Effective IT skills.
• Essential: C6 Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal sensitively with related issues/individuals, with tact, diplomacy and empathy.

Experience

• Essential: E1 Experience of working in an advisory capacity in a service‑orientated role with the ability to identify a range of complex issues, assess situations and provide appropriate guidance and support, escalating where appropriate.
• Essential: E2 Experience and track record in delivering excellent customer service.
• Essential: E3 Experience of interpreting and applying regulations.
• Essential: E4 Delivering presentations, workshops and promoting services both face to face and online, with experience of online delivery, through platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams and popular social media channels.
• Essential: E5 Reviewing processes and procedures and identifying areas for improvement.
• Desirable: F1 Experience of working in Higher Education.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum. This post is full time and open ended. Closing date: 23:45 5th January 2026.

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

• A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
• A flexible approach to working.
• A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6‑month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University. We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too.