Operations Administrator (Research)

University Of Stirling; Stirling; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Stirling is seeking an organised Project Administrator to support the AQUASoS initiative within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. You will coordinate administrative activities, maintain project governance data, and assist with reports, budgets, and meetings.

The role requires strong communication, time management and the ability to multitask in a dynamic environment. Part-time, 50%FTE, fixed term until 13 February 2028, salary range £26,707–£29,588 pro-rata.

Qualifications

• Educated to HNC level or equivalent; where no formal qualifications are held, additional relevant experience is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities; ability to prioritise a demanding workload.

Responsibilities

• Provide programme administrative support to the AQUASoS project team, monitoring progress to plans and supporting key reports and presentations.
• Capture data accurately in governance records and ensure timely availability.
• Coordinate and maintain documentation for programme funds and manage budgets and forecasts.
• Analyse funding terms, deadlines and update the Programme Manager to support the project.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, minutes and monitor actions.
• Support workload prioritisation to address urgent issues promptly.
• Develop detailed project plans aligned to governance and evaluation outlines.
• Monitor day‑to‑day post‑award operations and quarter/year-end processes as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Time management

Prioritisation

Teamwork and independence

Resilience under pressure

Judgement and problem solving

Diplomacy

Education

HNC level or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Accounting systems / spreadsheets

Job description

The Post

This role is based within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, working as part of the wider Student and Faculty Operations team, which brings together faculty-based professional services and related central support functions.

In this role, you will provide administrative support for the AQUASoS project—An Integrative Scalable Interdisciplinary Approach for Climate-Resilient Sustainable Aquaculture. This interdisciplinary initiative builds on the world-leading research undertaken at the Institute of Aquaculture.

You will be responsible for coordinating the project's administrative activities, requiring the ability to process, organise and interpret complex information accurately and efficiently to support successful project delivery. A highly organised and adaptable approach, together with excellent communication, time management and multitasking skills, is essential.

Description of Duties

Project Administration

• Provide programme administrative support to the project team, including monitoring progress to plans, and providing and coordinating of relevant information for key reports, papers, and presentations to help ensure key deadlines are met
• Ensure that all data is captured in a timely and accurate manner and available in the appropriate governance
• Coordinate and have responsibility for documentation and maintenance of any programme funds
• Undertake analysis of funding, terms and conditions, and deadlines and provide regular updates to the Programme Manager to support the project
• Coordination of meetings and provide secretariate support to the meetings by preparing draft agendas, collating, or drafting supporting papers, preparing minutes and capturing/ monitoring actions
• Support the project team with key work activities, prioritising your workload to ensure urgent issues are dealt with in a timely fashion
• In collaboration with the project team, prepare and maintain a detailed set of project plans, aligned to the governance, monitoring and evaluation outlines
• Monitor budgets, manage quarter and year end processes, produce forecasts and projections; manage day-to-day operations of post award research, as required

Faculty and University Wide Activities

• Lead and participate in specific projects on behalf of professional services colleagues
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to personal development and undertake development in skill areas related to the post
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grade of the post, as directed by line manager

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Educated to HNC level or equivalent (where no formal qualifications are held, additional relevant experience is required)

Knowledge & Experience

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, resilience and ability to prioritise a demanding workload in a pressurised environment, while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy. High standard of literacy with the ability to draft correspondence: Accuracy and an eye for detail
• Ability to manage and monitor a variety of tasks at the same time, work pro-actively and to organise and prioritise their own work and that of others
• Ability to work as part of a team to achieve goals while also being capable of independent working and using individual initiative
• Resilient with the ability to work under pressures and tight deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy
• Ability to work as part of a team to achieve goals while also being capable of independent working and using individual initiative
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and resolve issues and problems effectively and independently, seeking advice where appropriate to ensure buy-in to the proposal or outcome
• Ability to foster good relationships, using tact and diplomacy when required
• Excellent skills in a variety of office IT systems, including the full use of the Microsoft Office Suite, and experience of accounting systems, such as spreadsheets

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in a research-led and/or business-focused environment within higher education
• Ability to analyse data and provide reports

Additional Information

Part time (50%FTE)
Fixed term until 13 February 2028

Grade 5: £26,707 - £29,588 p.a. pro-rata

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Interview are expected to take place on Monday 09 November 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.