Operations Administrator (Research)

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.

About Us

The Institute of Aquaculture is a division of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) which also encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, and Psychology. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland’s International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

The Institute of Aquaculture’s mission is to tackle food security, hunger and sustainability through aquaculture – and to be a global leader in aquatic food resilience in the face of climate change. For 50 years the Institute has played a leading role in research and teaching related to all aspects of aquaculture. Today, the Institute is home to the world’s largest group of scientists, leading research on farmed and natural fish stocks, shellfish and aquatic plants and has established an international reputation for teaching, research, technological innovation and consultancy, reflecting decades of collaborative work with governments, regulatory bodies, industry, fish farmers, supply chains and alumni. Since its foundation the Institute has worked extensively with overseas partners in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. There are particularly strong relations with research and commercial organisations in Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni

Job Reference: FAC02143