HR Assistant

We are looking to appoint an HR Assistant to assist the HR Coordinator, Simon Gurry, in running the HR function within the department. The HR Assistant will provide essential HR administrative support within the Department, contributing directly to the smooth operation of staff lifecycle processes and compliance with University policies. It involves maintaining accurate personnel records, processing HR documentation for staff and visitors, and supporting recruitment and induction activities. The postholder ensures timely handling of tasks such as sickness absence, leave requests, and visa documentation, helping the Department meet its operational and strategic goals. By producing reports, escalating issues, and coordinating with internal stakeholders, the role supports the wider aims of the School in fostering a well-managed, compliant, and inclusive working environment.

Main Duties And Responsibilities
Provide HR administrative support within the Department. Maintain efficient administrative systems, process all relevant HR paperwork (e.g. sickness absence, travel risk assessments, maternity and paternity leave requests, special leave requests etc.) in a timely manner while following School/Department and University policies.

Maintain, update, organise and archive confidential personnel records within the Department using systems. Update details related to current staff and enter data for all new staff. Run and circulate HR reports, identify issues and bring these to the attention of the HR Coordinator.

Process visiting researcher applications in line with Department/School procedures. Ensuring that standard visitor VISA letters are issued, escalating more complex VISAs to line manager to process, ensuring that visitor induction processes are followed liaising with visiting researcher supervisor as appropriate.

Prepare all new starter information for employees when they start. Distribute induction paperwork and ensure that all administration paperwork is complete (bank details, health forms etc.). Send out online induction checklists to be completed within the first month. Order any new equipment starters require (such as laptops).

Process departmental Research Passports ensuring departmental/school procedures are followed – collecting relevant documents from the applicant are collected and that all necessary information on the form is collated before sending to school. Escalating queries to line manager, applicants, applicants' managers and the school.

Assist with Department recruitment activity. Arrange interviews, chase reference requests , circulate documents to interview panels, provide information packs to the panel, ensure copies of candidate's passports and certificates are taken.

Produce letters from standard templates as required by staff (e.g. to open bank accounts, tenancy agreements, visa requirements etc.). Deal with simple enquiries relating to day-to-day HR issues or refer to line manager, perform administrative duties to support line manager and other senior staff, provide information/reports as required.

Organise small scale events or meetings, i.e. book rooms, order refreshments, send out invites and directions.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Simon Gurry, HR Coordinator

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please ensure that you outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role on the online application form.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 9th November 2025

Interview date: 18th November 2025

Please quote reference RN47738 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.