Research Assistant

Research Assistant to provide support for the final preparation of a book manuscript. This part-time role, requiring approximately one day per week, will focus primarily on formatting, editing, and checking bibliographical references to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to publisher guidelines. Additional responsibilities include conducting literature searches to update or verify sources, and assisting with minor editorial tasks. Would suit Ph.D. candidate with supervisor approval. 

For any queries on this post please contact derek.bolton@kcl.ac.uk 

Essential:

• Bachelor?s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Psychology, Social Sciences)
• Strong proficiency with bibliographic/reference management software, preferably EndNote
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to spot formatting inconsistencies
• Familiarity with common citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to work independently
• Reliable access to a computer with internet connection for remote work

Desirable:

• Prior experience in academic research or publishing
• Experience formatting manuscripts for academic or scholarly publishing
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and other document formatting tools

Key Responsibilities:

• Format, edit, and check bibliographic references to meet publisher guidelines
• Ensure consistency in citation style throughout the manuscript
• Conduct literature searches to update and verify sources as needed
• Assist with basic formatting of the manuscript in alignment with submission requirements
• Communicate progress and any issues to the (project lead)

To supervise candidates during an examination

Duties:
Duties include setting up examination rooms, checking attendance, observing, collecting scripts, and liaising with candidates and examination staff to resolve queries. 

Location:
Guys Campus, New Hunts House, G10 (SCR)

N/A

Demonstrates common sense, accuracy, attention to detail, and are willing to provide the best examination experience possible for students. You must be reliable, punctual, have a flexible attitude to work and possess good communication skills.

PURPOSE OF POST 

The postholder will contribute to the day-to-day delivery of an effective and efficient assessment and awards support service to all students and Schools within LSBU. This will include administration of the late submission requests, alongside accurate and timely mark inputting (examinations and coursework) ahead of the Boards of Examiners. 

The postholder will support all areas of work around the Subject Area (SAB) and Award and Progression Boards (APB), during the academic year, including the preparation of board paperwork, acting as a secretary to the boards, post board actions, conferment of awards and results publishing.   

The postholder will support and facilitate good communication between stakeholders, often dealing with sensitive and confidential matters in a time pressured environment, providing accurate information relating to all areas of marks, Examination Boards, results and conferment of awards. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To support the Supervisor to achieve the day-to-day tasks, by understanding individual and team tasks, working to deliver of an effective and efficient service and supporting colleagues to ensure that all tasks and services are supported therefore contributing to individual and team metrics/KPI?s.
2. To establish and maintain good working relationships with all stakeholders, providing advice, information, signposting and sharing specialist knowledge with all team colleagues relating the school portfolio that they have been allocated in that academic year. Supporting all portfolios as directed, with portfolios having been allocated by the Supervisor and/or Coordinator using a data led approach and rotated yearly as appropriate.
3. To play an active role in ensuring that the team provide excellent customer service, ensuring they are contributing to the continual enhancement of services offered by highlight processes, procedures or policies that are not easily administrable, identifying any barriers and possible solutions.   

1. Providing accurate and timely responses to all queries relating to their portfolio, including working with the Course Support & Enquiry Team on student queries and working directly with academic colleagues, escalating complex queries or concerns as appropriate
2. Supporting the complex work of mark inputting for coursework assessments and exams, including, all work associated with approved late submission requests and the resulting amendments to marks, liaising as appropriate to ensure that all relevant information is obtained prior to or at the time of mark inputting. 
3. Supporting the successful completion of Examination Boards including; the preparation process ahead of Subject Area (SAB) and Award and Progression (APB) Boards, the creation of board documentation in a timely manner, acting as secretary to the boards if required to do so, creating meeting invites and agendas, recording and actioning board decisions, obtaining module leader sign off for marks and Chief Examiner/External Examiner sign off and the production of results letters and publication of results
4. Working with other Professional Services Departments to support processes around the confirmation of awards or outcomes, such as Academic Services for certificates and transcripts and re-enrolment, UKVI for reporting issues and Apprenticeships Team for employer confirmation.
5. To support the departments, work to provide timely Examinations Board data to all key stakeholders, supporting the ongoing work to create a seamless exam and resit process for all students. 
6. For those staff based in our Havering/Croydon Campus, they will also be required to support the safe and smooth running of the Havering/Croydon campus.  This may include, but not limited to, the following tasks:
   1. Supporting Student Administration colleagues in the Exams Team and the Course Support & Enquiries team, during peak workload times, such as the start of term, exam weeks and exam boards/result publishing times.
   2. Trained as Fire Marshalls and Health and Safety and First Aid at Work and part of a team of all staff who attend/are based at the campus.
7. Working as a team to help plan and deliver services in line with deadlines set by the Academic Calendar and contribute into discussions around these deadlines.

This list is not exhaustive. The postholder will be expected to carry out relevant and related tasks as commensurate with the current grade and agreed with the Head of Student Administration or their nominee.

n/a

PERSON SPECIFICATION / SELECTION CRITERIA  

Applicants will be short-listed solely on the extent to which they meet the following essential (E) and desirable (D) requirements: 

Experience  

• Practical administration experience (E) working in a higher education setting (D), supporting and resolving students/customer concerns both face to face and online (E). 
• Experience of maintaining accurate records, (E) the use the IT systems/software to input, store and where appropriate gather data (E).
• To be able to use own initiative to plan (E), prioritise and organise own varied workload, in a timely manner (E), to approach challenges/problems in a creative and proactive way (E).
• To operate flexibly either as part of a team or independently (E).
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills (E) and to cope with high volumes of work and work as a team during stressful periods in the academic year in a calm and efficient manner (E). 
• Good customer service/relationship skills (E), dealing sensitively with enquiries from a diverse range of individuals, and de-escalate and manage potentially difficult or conflict situations calmly and with confidence (D).
• Experience of servicing committee meetings, both in preparation and minute taking, and following up matters as a consequence of meetings (D).
• To be committed to and have experience of the application of ICT in administration (E). Knowledge of word processing, databases and spreadsheets (E) and of the use of the web (D). Willingness and ability to learn new packages in order to carry out the duties of the role (E).