SGSSS Associate Officer for Student Engagement

Grade UE06: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum pro rata

CAHSS / The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

Guaranteed Hours: 2 hours per week

Fixed-Term: 2 years

The Opportunity:

**Open to social science PhD researchers from any SGSSS partner university **  

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) are seeking to appoint three current social science PhD students to the role of Associate Officer for Student Engagement. SGSSS Associate Officers represent the voices of the student community and are consulted on for their advice and expertise as PGRs.   

The role holders will join an existing team of student Associate Officers and, as members of the SGSSS Directorate, contribute to the development of social sciences postgraduate research and the formation of research leaders in Scotland and beyond. Work topics that Associate Officers focus on are identified through the strategic objectives of the SGSSS and funders, emergent issues identified by the Associate Officers based on their experiences, and information received from the wider PhD population.  

The role is University of Edinburgh Grade 6, on a “guaranteed hours” contract (averaging two hours per week, with a minimum of 35 hours per year). Roles will start in January 2026 and will be appointed for a two year term, including a review for both role holder and SGSSS at the one year anniversary.  

Your skills and attributes for success: 

These roles are available to any current social science PhD student registered at an SGSSS partner university.   
 

Our Ideal Candidates Will:

• have a passion for supporting colleagues and students, and for contributing to the continuous improvement of SGSSS; 
• be adept in planning and completing their own work activities (with suitable support and guidance) and be able to provide evidence-based recommendations for ideas; and 
• be a strong collaborator and able to engage clearly and effectively with other students, SGSSS colleagues and other stakeholders such as event facilitators. 

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

Applicant Information:

The role will be undertaken from the role holder’s home university, but some in-person presence is expected at relevant meetings, training events, student activities etc. These will be planned in advance and all expenses for travel etc. will be covered. SGSSS is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and therefore you will be employed by this university. 

SGSSS previously worked with a network of volunteer student representatives. In response to ideas and work undertaken by these reps, a wide consultation was undertaken about how best to represent PhD students and how to utilise the skills and experience of students within SGSSS work. The outcome was the creation of the Student Associate Officer role, which existing student representatives helped design and develop. The Student Associate Officer role was considered by all layers of SGSSS governance, and a remunerated role agreed upon in order to ensure that the work and contribution of students taking on these roles was recognised and correctly rewarded. The first Associate Officers commenced their role in January 2024.  

How To Apply:

To apply for this role, please submit a short CV (maximum two pages) and a covering letter. The covering letter should include information about:   

1. 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;    
2. What you think you will be able to contribute to SGSSS through this role; and   
3. What you hope to gain and learn by taking on this role.  

• Informal enquiries may be made to:  
• Dr Dely Elliot, Associate Director (Student Engagement and EDI): dely.elliot@glasgow.ac.uk   
• or Linsey Fender, Head of Strategy and Operations SGSSS: linsey.fender@ed.ac.uk   

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

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 17th October 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 November 2025, with the roles starting in January 2026.

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