SGSSS Graduate School Administrator

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS) is a small busy team that delivers and facilitates high quality, inclusive opportunities and training to impact positively the social science community in Scotland. We are looking for a Graduate School Administrator to play a vital role in supporting key SGSSS activities. 

 

The Opportunity:

The Graduate School Administrator is a crucial role in the team, supporting other team members across their portfolios which include studentship funding, internships, doctoral training, student engagement, and governance. The successful candidate will act as the first point of contact for incoming enquiries, demonstrating a high level of customer service, and support colleagues and students with a range of tasks.  

We are looking for someone who has an aptitude for multi-tasking, team working, and gains satisfaction from helping to get things done.  

SGSSS is the largest funder and trainer of social science PhD researchers in Scotland. We work with 16 partner universities across Scotland and non-academic partners including Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Government, Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scottish Funding Council, and many private and third sector organisations. More information is available here: www.sgsss.ac.uk.  

 

This post is open-ended (permanent) with a funding review date in March 2027 and full-time (35 hours per week), however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns.  

We are currently using hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working. SGSSS is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and therefore you will be employed by this university. 

The salary for this post is at Grade UE04: £26,093 to £28,778 per annum; starting salary is normally offered at the entry point of the grade, but may be reviewed subject to candidate experience and related factors. 

 

 

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Strong multi-tasking ability to manage and prioritise workload delegated from a number of different colleagues efficiently.  
• High-level of interpersonal and communication skills to adapt and relate appropriately to different  colleagues (internal and external) and students. 
• Confidence with technology: an ability or willingness to adapt to a changing digital landscape, embracing the use of technology across communications, engagement, and reporting. 
• Detail orientated, able to pay close attention to important data in communications, record keeping, reporting, and scheduling. 
• A willing problem solver; an ability to get involved and learn new tasks to support colleagues and students. 

 

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab).

 

Application Information:

To apply for this role, please submit a short CV AND a covering letter. The covering letter should include information about your suitability for the role: please make reference to the “Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience” criteria listed in the job description, plus the Desirable criteria if possible. 

Informal enquiries may be made via team@sgsss.ac.uk  

 

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits. 

 

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion:

SGSSS has a strong commitment to accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusion. We believe a diverse team bring the best range of experience, skills and perspectives. Applications are therefore particularly welcome from groups traditionally underrepresented within Higher Education. If you believe you would add value to the SGSSS team but do not feel you meet the criteria, please consider getting in touch to talk about the role and your application (see contact details below).   

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.  

 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 2nd September 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone. 

Interviews will be held in person at our offices in Edinburgh in early September.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.