Research and Communications Administrator

Reference
1114321

Branch
UCL

Start date
06/07/2026

Duration
12 Months

Hours and days
Part-time; 20 hours per week

Dress code
Not Applicable

Rate of pay
£20.57

Holiday rate
£3.85

Role

Unitemps are recruiting for a Research and Communications Administrator. This role has an asap start date (early July) and a projected end date of June 30th 2027. This is a part-time role at 20 hours per week (projected). Payment is set at £20.57 per hour + £3.85 holiday pay. This role is UCL hybrid working; 2 days from campus and the other days from home.

Duties and responsibilities

Main purpose of the job

The research and communications administrator is a key role providing support to all the main areas of the ‘Power of Loose Parts Play (POLPP)’ project.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day administration and communications functions of the project, providing pivotal support to Principal Investigator (Professor Lynn Ang) and project team in ensuring that the project runs smoothly.

The ideal candidate will have a strong administrative and communications background, an outstanding team work ethic and an interest in the project team’s vision. They will be proactive, and must have excellent communication, organisation, time-management and diary-management skills. This role requires that the post holder works on their own initiative and also as a team, with the ability to problem solve and manage several aspects of the project at once. Previous experience in a similar environment related to research administration and communications would be advantageous.

Duties and responsibilities:

Research Administration

·    Develop and maintain a good knowledge of the project’s administrative processes and procedures, including as they relate to information security and data access.

·    Organise project team meetings, including meetings with the funder, external partners, event engagement, room bookings, setting agendas, taking minutes in formal meetings.

·    Coordinate the principal investigator’s diary and project team member’s schedules across the project, ensuring that all administration and communications are run smoothly.

·    Liaise with departmental and faculty professional services staff to ensure effective communication between the project team, department and faculty.

·    Make appointments and purchases, as appropriate, for project team members, ensuring that UCL policies and procedures are followed. This might include travel booking and event organisation.

Event and communication duties

·    Set up and effectively manage the delivery of online and in-person provision of internal and external engagement, including sending out invitations, booking rooms or setting up online event spaces, communicating with participants, etc.

·    Develop and maintain the project’s website and external communications including social media posts and communications.

·    Manage the project’s mailing list communications, including creating mailouts, advertisements, newsletters, events, seminars etc.

·    Support with event organisation, including coordinating seminars, liaising with speakers, organising dates and rooms, managing expense claims, etc.

·    Support the recording and monitoring of research outcomes and impacts, including the creation and dissemination of the project’s final report.

·    Organise the reporting of activities and engagements to the project’s Advisory Board, including organising meetings and preparing papers.

A full JD can be seen here.

Skills and experience

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

• A good general education to GCSE/A levels, NVQ Level 2/3 Administration or equivalent, or substantial relevant experience
• An interest in the research agenda of the project team and wider institution, and a willingness to engage with key findings and outputs
• Proven experience in a complex administrative and/or communications role requiring the management of multiple tasks.
• Experience of organising and delivering online and/or in-person events   
• Experience of HR support, e.g. relating to the recruitment and  induction of staff, contract extensions and amendments, etc.
• Experience working with senior academic/research staff
• Experience of working in a Higher Education research support role.
• Experience of using Oracle based finance and data management systems.

Skills and abilities

• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• A methodical and accurate approach to work with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage own workload through effective ordering of priorities and good organisational ability in order to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, willingness to take responsibility and initiative, ability to adapt work and focus as urgent needs arise.
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Experience of preparing, editing and formatting text for publication, including proofing texts and writing newsletters.
• Excellent IT skills including email, spreadsheets, word processing, databases, and willingness to engage with AI.
• Interest in pursuing an administrative career.

UCL Ways of Working for professional services

• Having a positive and helpful approach to work.
• Knowing your key stakeholders and keeping them informed.
• Taking proactive steps where you see an opportunity to fulfil a need.

A full JD can be seen here.

Location
UCL; hybrid working with 2 days per week from the office

Additional information

This job will close for applications at 11.59pm on Sunday June 28th. Interviews will be held shortly after.

*Please note to be eligible to work within this role, you must have the right to work in the UK, be physically based in the UK and be able to travel to our London based office for a RTW check (if required).

*If you have a full-time contract of employment with UCL, you are not able to work through UCL Unitemps at the same time.

Unitemps reserves the right to close this advert for applications prior to the date specified above, if a high volume of suitable applications are received so pleased don't delay applying.

Unitemps payroll is monthly, one month in arrears, please see the payroll dates here.

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