The York Graduate Research School (YGRS) connects more than 2,000 postgraduate researchers (PGRs) across all disciplines and brings together the support PGRs need to make the most of their research project. A big focus of the YGRS strategic vision is to diversify our PGR community and widen opportunities to postgraduate research degrees for people from different backgrounds and career stages. As part of this, YGRS is doing a lot of work around PGR recruitment and selection, as well as enhancing the support provided to PGRs during their degree programmes.

YGRS is looking to appoint a project officer to help manage and coordinate the successful delivery of the YGRS strategic priorities. This is a Professional Support Staff role with a need to work across academic departments and a range of teams in order to enhance policies and practices for PGRs and their supervisors.

Reporting to Professor Kathryn Arnold, the post holder will work within the YGRS team which includes colleagues within the Building Research and Innovation Capacity (BRIC) team, PGR Administration team and Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education, a project funded by the Office for Students (OfS) and Research England (RE), the project is designed to improve access to postgraduate research degrees for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students. The post holder will be liaising with University teams involved with PGR recruitment, progression and professional development, as well as senior academics, students, PGRs and wider stakeholders.

The successful candidate will probably have experience of working with PGRs and knowledge of the research and innovation sector, widening access and/or Higher Education. They will have experience of coordinating or managing projects, plus experience of running workshops or team meetings. They must also have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for reporting and internal communications purposes.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork