Job Description
Job title:
Postgraduate Research Studies Manager
Department/School:
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office
Grade:
8
Location:
Bath campus
Job purpose
To provide assistance to the Head of Student Learning Experience and Quality and the
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) in maintaining and enhancing the standards and quality of
the University’s postgraduate research student provision.
Source and nature of management provided
Head of Student Learning Experience and Quality
Staff management responsibility
None
Special conditions
None
LTEO
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July 2013
Main duties and responsibilities
1
Support, advise and inform the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Associate Deans
(Graduate Studies), other senior members of the University and colleagues
within the formal governance structure of the University on all aspects of the
maintenance, strategic development and educational enhancement of a
portfolio of high quality, effective and vibrant postgraduate research student
provision. This includes all doctoral provision, PhD and professional doctorate
programmes.
2
Gathering strategic intelligence and interrogating extensive and complex data
both internally and externally to inform the quality monitoring and future
strategic development of postgraduate degree provision at Bath within the
quality context.
This area of activity will include:
 monitoring of Postgraduate Research (PGR) students’ progression and
completion including postgraduate skills activity participation
 annual provision of PGR portfolio overview
 overseeing doctoral training centre output and monitoring of related data
 monitoring of the postgraduate student experience
 using available national data and peer comparison to inform strategic
considerations
3
LTEO
Working closely with a range of stakeholders on a wide range of postgraduate
provision related aspects such as:
 Graduate Schools on quality management, governance and administration
in relation to PGR provision,
 Doctoral Training Centres, partnerships and programmes, on effective
implementation and oversight of quality arrangements,
 Academic Registry, in relation to PGR recruitment, admissions, regulation
and student administrative matters,
 Office of University Secretary, on legal matters in relation to collaborative
contracts and agreements and UKBA related attendance monitoring,
 Web Services, on the development and maintenance of a high level of
attractive visibility of the University’s PGR provision externally and relevant
and easily accessible information for postgraduate research students
internally,
 International Office in relation to PGR student recruitment and PGR
provision of an international nature,
 Public Engagement Unit, to enable routes for PGR students to bring their
research to the attention of the public and engage actively with public
interest in their chosen field of research,
 Research Development Support Office, particularly in relation to bidding for
research funding which includes PGR student opportunities,
 Students’ Union, on engaging with the opinions and interests of
postgraduate research students and enabling social activities and
engagement of postgraduate research students,
 Postgraduate Ombudsman and his Deputy on any issues PGR students
bring to the fore through this informal mediation route.
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July 2013
4
Maintaining, developing and advising on postgraduate research quality related
policies (QA Code of Practice statement 7, admissions policy and similar) and
working with colleagues from the Academic Registry on the Regulations
related to postgraduate assessment specifically.
An important aspect of the policy and regulation development work is the
collaboration and consultation with the academic community (all levels of
seniority) to establish support and consensus on new regulatory or policy
development, and the information provision and support to those who
implement policy and regulation in relation to postgraduate research provision.
Regulations fall under the Academic Registry and the post holder will work
closely with relevant colleagues within that team.
5
Developing systems and processes that help the University identify risks to the
quality, effectiveness of our postgraduate research portfolio with due regard to
strategic interests and our reputation for outstanding educational quality.
6
Monitoring of national developments and (emerging) good practice in the area
of postgraduate research provision by building an effective network of external
colleagues across relevant peer institutions and such as the GW4 network
(Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter).
7
Liaising with relevant external bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency,
the UK Research Councils, Vitae, Professional Regulatory and Statutory
Bodies and other organisations with relevance to postgraduate research
degree provision.
8
Servicing (but not clerking) the University Research Students Committee,
including detailed pre-committee generation and scrutiny of paperwork
including survey results, postgraduate ombudsman’s report, annual monitoring
reports, completion rate data, changes to the QA Code of Practice and
regulations, SSLC annual reports and other quality-related committees/working
groups/fora as required.
9
Provide advice and support on the development of collaborative postgraduate
research degree provision, including professional doctorate programmes, in
line with the University’s policy and strategic interests in collaborative provision
and the requirements and expectations of the QAA, Research Councils and
relevant partners.
9.
Provide advice and support on the development of new postgraduate taught
programme provision which is part of PGR provision, including MRes
programmes, in line with the University’s policy and strategic interests and the
requirements and expectations of the QAA, Research Councils and relevant
partners.
10
Representing LTEO on relevant governance committees (University Research
Committee, University Research Students Committee, Faculty Research
Students Committees, formally established working groups and informal fora)
as well as in other contexts internally and externally as opportunities arise.
Such other activities that may be determined by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) or the
Head of Student Learning Experience and Quality commensurate with the nature and
grade of the role.
LTEO
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July 2013
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
AF
I/T
R
Qualifications
First degree or equivalent
X
Doctoral qualification
X
X
Experience/Knowledge
Experience in an academic administration role,
preferably within a quality assurance/enhancement
context
X
X
X
X
Extensive experience of committee servicing and
writing analytical reports
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Excellent diplomatic and advisory skills with evident
ability to be convincing in discussions with academic
staff
X
X
X
X
Extensive experience of analysing and comparing
academic and organisational practices by peer
institutions to inform local decision making.
X
X
X
X
Excellent written and interpersonal communication
skills, including ability to interact on a professional
level with a wide variety of staff
X
X
X
X
Excellent attention to detail
X
x
x
x
Excellent data interrogation and analytical skills
X
x
x
x
Enthusiasm and commitment to the assurance and
enhancement of learning and teaching
X
X
X
Excellent administrative skills
X
X
X
X
Ability to use initiative
X
X
X
X
Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
X
X
X
X
X
X
Good knowledge of current practice and issues in
Higher Education
Sound experience of quality management of
postgraduate research provision
Skills and Attributes
Web development skills
X
Willingness to work flexibly in peak periods
X
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – Reference
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X