Assistant Research Degrees Officer

The Doctoral College at Manchester Metropolitan University is home to a vibrant and diverse community of doctoral researchers whose work contributes to world-leading research and innovation. We are seeking an organised, proactive and customer-focused Assistant Research Degrees Officer to join our Doctoral Services team and play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of research degree programmes across the University.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and collaborative team at the heart of the doctoral student experience. Working closely with doctoral students, academic colleagues, professional services teams and external partners, you will help ensure that research degree processes are delivered efficiently, accurately and in accordance with University regulations and external requirements.

The role is combines specialist administrative support, case management, student records administration and stakeholder engagement. You will provide advice and guidance on research degree processes and regulations, support the resolution of complex student cases, maintain accurate student records, and contribute to the continuous improvement of systems and procedures across Doctoral Services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the administration of doctoral degree programmes and providing advice and guidance to doctoral students and supervisors.
• Assisting with the management and resolution of complex student cases and enquiries.
• Maintaining accurate student records and supporting student registration and engagement processes.
• Producing reports and management information to support decision-making and quality assurance activities.
• Working with colleagues across the University and external stakeholders to support compliance and effective service delivery.
• Contributing to the development of policies, procedures, systems and continuous improvement initiatives within Doctoral Services.

About the Team

Doctoral Services sits within the Research and Innovation Directorate and provides specialist support to doctoral students and academic colleagues across the University. The team plays a vital role in ensuring a high-quality doctoral student experience while supporting compliance, quality assurance and the effective administration of research degree programmes.

You will join a friendly and experienced team that values collaboration, innovation and excellent service delivery.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is highly organised, adaptable and able to manage a varied workload in a busy environment. You will be confident working with complex procedures, analysing information, solving problems and building positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience of providing administrative support within a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain detailed or non-routine information clearly.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands effectively.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues while taking ownership of your own responsibilities.
• Strong IT skills, including experience of Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service and continually improving processes and services.

Please refer to the Person Specification in the Job Description for the full list of essential criteria for this role.

Why Join Manchester Met?

At Manchester Metropolitan, you'll be part of an ambitious and inclusive university with a strong commitment to research excellence, education and social impact. We offer a supportive working environment, opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive range of staff benefits.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced administrator to develop their career within a specialist professional services team that makes a meaningful contribution to the success of our doctoral community.

Do you enjoy working with people, managing complex processes and delivering high-quality services? Then we'd love to hear from you.

Information for Applicants

For an informal discussion about the role, you can contact Hannah Shaw, Research Degrees Manager (h.shaw@mmu.ac.uk).  

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification to the online portal. 

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.