Departmental Administrative Officer (Maternity Cover)

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

About us

The Department of Translational Neuroscience and Stroke is home to a collaboration of interlinked neurological research areas, each one focused on advancing translational scientific knowledge to further patient recovery and management and educating through teaching and academic supervision.

The Department of Neuroinflammation is recognised worldwide as a centre of excellence for multiple sclerosis (MS) research. The Department employs a broad range of basic and clinical methods, including clinical therapeutic trials to undertake research into multiple sclerosis (MS).

About the role

We are recruiting an experienced administrator to support both the Translational Neuroscience and Stroke and Neuroinflammation departments in the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, working closely with the Departmental Administrator (DA). You will provide senior-level administrative support to the DA, Principal Investigators, staff, and students.

Your responsibilities will include daily operations, financial, HR/student administration, and research governance tasks. You'll manage procedures for financial transactions, procurement, and grant applications, using systems like MyFinance, Axiom, WorkTribe, and MyHR. You'll also line manage the Departmental Administrative Assistant, providing guidance and support and overseeing their day-to-day work, and will lead ad hoc projects for the Heads of Research Department and/or DA.

The post is to undertake specific maternity cover, the duration of which is dependent upon completion of the cover, return of the post holder, or cessation of the funding, whichever is the soonest. The post is available from 09 November 2026 and is to 17 December 2027 or until the return of the substantive post holder, whichever is earliest.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 40% of time on site.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Judith Jolleys (j.jolleys@ucl.ac.uk).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

About you

You will have a good standard of education to A-Level or NVQ Level IV administration, or equivalent professional experience. An interest in financial management, along with experience using financial systems and handling research grants, is essential. You will bring substantial administrative experience from a large, complex organisation, such as a university or NHS, and have a proven track record in designing, implementing, and maintaining efficient management information systems and procedures.

The role involves interaction with many people within and external to UCL and requires a proactive, highly organised, and efficient individual with a professional attitude, willingness to help, and the ability to work collaboratively and problem solve effectively.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore UCL will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.