Postgraduate Research GCRF Project Assistant

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The PGR office has secured funding from the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) to deliver a programme of training and events to support, encourage and empower postgraduate researchers to undertake research that addresses the global challenges identified in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To support the delivery of the programme, we are appointing a current postgraduate research student to act as project assistant over a period of 2 months. 

The project assistant will take a lead role in planning and delivering the online GCRF Postgraduate Research Symposium, which will offer PGR students the opportunity to share their research and experiences in a supportive environment that focusses specifically on GCRF aligned research. The project assistant will also work with staff from the PGR office to evaluate the programme, collect feedback, and make recommendations for future training programmes.

This is an excellent opportunity for a current PGR student to develop professional and administrative skills in relation to event and programme delivery, including:

- project planning and management

- event management

- communication with key stakeholders

- evaluation and reporting

- professional skills including time management, collaboration with team members, communication

Key responsibilities

- planning (with support) the GCRF Postgraduate Research Symposium, including drafting a call for papers, reviewing proposals, communicating with presenters, timetabling and creation of the programme, publicity.

- event logistics, including management of the online platform, registration process

- designing and collecting event feedback

- creating an event report

- attendance at other training events as part of the programme

- reporting on reflections of the training programme and making recommendations for future programmes

Essential criteria

- currently enrolled on a postgraduate research degree at Swansea University

- an understanding of the aims and priorities of the GCRF

- ability to work independently and as part of a team

- good time management and ability to plan workload and prioritise tasks

- good IT skills, including MS Office and online conferencing platforms (such as Zoom)

Desirable criteria

- engaged in research that is aligned with the aims of the GCRF and/or addresses one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals

- experience in planning and delivering academic events

It is anticipated that the project assistant will work 1 day (7 hours) per week for 8 weeks across May and June, though some flexibility may be possible. All work will be remote.

Rate of pay: £9.71 per hour

To apply:

- submit a CV and cover letter, including your current degree programme and student number

- in your cover letter, you will be expected to demonstrate the following:

- your understanding of the GCRF and (if relevant) how your research aligns with the GCRF

- your key considerations for delivering this project, and how you would ensure that the symposium is a success.

- what you hope to gain from the role

Application deadline: midnight 28/3/2021

Please contact Teresa Phipps ([email protected]) with any queries.