Postgraduate Research Administrator – College of Medical and Dental Sciences – 8688 – Grade 5

Job title:

Postgraduate Research Administrator – College of Medical and Dental Sciences – 8688 – Grade 5

Company

University of Birmingham

Job description

Job Description:Position DetailsCollege of Medical and Dental SciencesLocation: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UKFull time starting salary is normally in the range £28,397 to £30,210, with potential progression once in post to £33,938Grade: 5Full Time, PermanentClosing date: 1st May 2024Our offer to youPeople are at the heart of what we are and do.The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.Find out more about theRole SummaryThe College Graduate School sits within the College’s Research Office in the College of Medical & Dental Sciences and is responsible for the delivery of PhD, MD, MRes and MSc by research programmes. The College Graduate School has a College PGR (Postgraduate Research) lead plus Institute PGR leads who have academic responsibility for postgraduate researchers across the College.The post holder will be the main administrative point of contact for postgraduate research matters within the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and School of Nursing, having direct contact with postgraduate researchers, supervisors, PGR leads and management team and staff from University Centre including Registry & Admissions.Main DutiesInstitute Postgraduate Research administration and management

• To have sole responsibility for all enquiries and correspondence for prospective postgraduate researchers (PhD, MD, MSc by Research and MRes), advising them on the criteria for the application process in accordance with University and College Graduate School regulations, including fee structures and entry requirements. This will require the post holder to use their own initiative in responding to enquiries from prospective students and refer on as appropriate.
• Manage the process of individual postgraduate researcher applications: Processing AV2s, applications forms and liaising with Admissions and Registry to ensure that postgraduate researchers are registered.
• Responsible for reporting and recording postgraduate researcher attendance in accordance with UKVI guidelines and programme requirements.
• Responsible for the administration of the Annual Progress Review of PGRs to include distribution of reports to co-ordinators, collating student progress review decisions, completing End of Session and follow up on any actions arising.
• Organise and participate in the Institute PGR Committee Meetings and taking minutes.
• Ensure correct processes are followed in regard Leave of Absence & Extension requests, Reasonable Diligence, maternity and paternity leave, sickness and plagiarism.
• Regular communication with the Operations Manager (PGR) to ensure compliance with College policy and procedures and cascade information to both academics and postgraduate researchers within the School.

MRes Programme Support

• Responsible for update and maintenance of student data e.g. module registrations.
• Responsible for allocation and maintenance of student groups/optional elements.
• Responsible for production and presentation of student handbooks.
• Responsible for the maintenance and update of the virtual learning environment.
• Responsible for dissemination of accurate data to stakeholders.
• Act as the primary contact for stakeholders (internal and external).
• Responsible for reporting and recording student attendance in accordance with UKVI guidelines and programme requirements.
• Responsible for the administration of student assessments in accordance with College and University requirements – reporting non-compliance where necessary.
• Have shared responsibility for the maintenance and update of the programme delivery plan and associated processes and procedures.
• Have shared responsibility for the annual programme and module review process.

Assessment and Progression

• Responsible for the accuracy of student data used to inform the examination process.
• Responsible for the production of examination papers following the University guidelines.
• Responsible for update, following external/internal review, and submission of final documentation to the examinations office.
• In collaboration with the Academic Team responsible for the scheduling of examinations and recruitment of invigilators.
• Responsible for creation and dissemination of electronic files to record student marks.
• Responsible for the production and accuracy of information for presentation to examination boards as needed.
• Responsible for the entry, accuracy and release of marks and progress decisions to students and staff as required.

General duties

• Provide secretarial support to committees, examination boards and working groups as needed.
• Be prepared and be willing to support Colleagues from other programmes ensuring own workload is not compromised.
• Responsible for the generation of purchase orders/invoices as required.
• Participate and contribute to the development and implementation of systems/processes supporting programmes.
• To undertake other duties as required by the Operations Manager (PGR) or Senior Professional Services Staff within the College.
• Provide support for plagiarism as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to ‘A’ Level standard with at least GCSE Grade C in Maths and English or equivalent.
• Significant experience of relevant administration in an education setting.
• Ability to work and communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders courteously, diplomatically and confidentially.
• Demonstrable experience of developing, using and maintaining complex working systems, e.g. a student management system or its equivalent.
• Ability to work proactively, independently and as part of a team.
• Able to demonstrate advanced IT skills using the MS Office suite of programmes, Adobe programmes and the ability to develop and maintain web pages. The post holder should also be confident and willing to quickly learn new software packages as required.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to manipulate data and apply accurate formulae using Excel.
• The ability to work flexibly in a fast moving, dynamic environment where change is often required immediately.
• Able to work under pressure and deal with confidential and sensitive data in accordance with appropriate legislation.
• Organised and able to prioritise own workload according to changing business needs and daily work constraints.
• Excellent communication skills with appropriate attention to detail.
• The ability to use judgement an make appropriate decisions within the constraints of the role.
• Experience of supporting committees in a secretarial capacity.

DimensionsProvide key administrative support to the Institute PGR leads, Operations Manager (PG) and the functions of the College Graduate School.Planning and OrganisingThe post holder would be expected to solve moat day to day administrative queries without reference to others.Problem Solving and decision makingi) Without reference to others:

• Act as a first point of contact for day to day queries relating to postgraduate issues
• Maintains databases and other filing systems, grant information, publications, PhD students
• Maintains other administrative systems and procedures
• Prioritises own work
• Dealing with general student enquiries

ii) After consulting others:

• Complex issues that will affect the delivery of the service and its customers.

iii) After referring to their manager / a colleague:

• The post holder would be expected to refer queries which are out with their expertise or area of responsibility.

Internal and External relationshipsThe post holder is required to establish, build and maintain professional working relationships with the following customers:Internal

• Students
• Supervisors
• Operations Manager for Postgraduate Research Programmes
• MDS academic staff
• Professional Services staff in Colleges, Student Services, Registry and other wider University areas.

External

• External PhD Examiners

Further particulars can be foundInformal enquiries to Karen Carter, email:View our staff values and behavioursWe believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone .

Expected salary

£28397 – 30210 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:11:44 GMT

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