Research Student Advisor
| Posting date: | 16 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,981 to £28,213 per year |
| Additional salary information: | (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £32,445 per annum) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | Derby, Derbyshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Derby |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 0061-26 |
Summary
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
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker 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.
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
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker 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.