About us
UCL is one of the world’s leading universities, with a diverse community of 50,000 students and 160,000 applicants. Student and Registry Services (SRS) plays a vital role in supporting our students and academic colleagues, delivering essential services that underpin an excellent student experience.
Within SRS, Student Operations is responsible for the management and quality of student records, alongside key functions that support the student lifecycle. The Research Degree Services team provides specialist administrative support to more than 8,000 postgraduate researchers, working in partnership with the Doctoral School, academic departments and professional services colleagues to ensure effective research degree administration from enrolment through to examination and award.
About the role
As a Senior Research Degrees Officer, you will play a key role in delivering a high-quality, responsive and accurate service to UCL’s research degree students and staff. You will take responsibility for the management and maintenance of research student records for a designated portfolio of faculties, ensuring that records remain accurate, complete and compliant with UCL regulations and procedures.
Acting as a principal point of contact for students, academic colleagues and external stakeholders, you will provide clear advice and guidance on research degree regulations, procedures and examinations, resolving complex cases and ensuring timely responses. You will work closely with academic departments to strengthen understanding of regulatory requirements and promote consistent, effective processes across UCL.
Your responsibilities will span the research student lifecycle, including enrolment, progression, interruptions, programme transfers and withdrawals, as well as the administration of research degree examinations, thesis submissions and examiner appointments. You will also support the production of official student documentation and contribute to maintaining the quality and integrity of student records through effective data validation, reporting and quality assurance.
Working closely with the Research Degrees Manager, you will contribute to service development and continuous improvement, including testing enhancements to UCL’s student records system, SITS/Portico, reviewing processes and supporting colleagues through training and guidance. You will also help coordinate the operational work of the team and deputise for the Research Degrees Manager when required, helping to maintain service standards and operational excellence across the section.
Please note, this role offers hybrid working with currently a minimum of 2-days per week onsite at our Bloomsbury campus (subject to change).
If you have any queries about the role, please contact David Blundred at: d.blundred@ucl.ac.uk
Job Ref: B01-05747
Closing Date: 27-10-2026 – 23:59 (UK time)
About you
You will be an experienced higher education administrator with a sound understanding of the UK higher education sector, research degree administration and student records management. You will have experience of using student information systems, ideally SITS/Portico, and be confident interpreting and advising on complex regulations and procedures, including research degree examinations and the application of immigration legislation to student records. You will also have experience handling sensitive and confidential information, alongside the ability to supervise a team or coordinate the work of others.
You will bring excellent IT skills, including experience using databases and spreadsheets to extract, analyse and present information. Strong organisational skills will enable you to manage competing priorities, coordinate varied workloads and maintain accuracy and professionalism when working under pressure. You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly and diplomatically to audiences with different needs and levels of understanding.
A collaborative and adaptable approach is essential, alongside the confidence to work independently, build effective relationships across academic and professional services teams, and respond flexibly to changing priorities. You will be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes, share best practice and support colleagues in delivering a consistent service. Above all, you will be committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement and providing a positive student experience for UCL’s postgraduate research community.
What we offer
- 41 days’ holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
- Option to purchase 5 additional days’ annual leave
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, and immigration loan
- Relocation support for eligible posts
- On-site nursery and gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
- Staff Support Service (employee assistance programme)
- Discounted medical insurance
Full details: UCL Rewards and Benefits.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.
Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL’s policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy
