TITLE OF POST: PhD Student Officer
LOCATION: University of Limerick Postgraduate Students’ Union
REPORT TO: PSUVice President Academic and Research
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term (12-month fixed-term contract for 10 hours per week)
SALARY: Minimum wage + €2 per hour
PhD Student Officer
Job description, duties, and responsibilities:
University of Limerick Postgraduate Students’ Union’s (PSU) PhD Student Officer is a part-time employee role. The PSU recognizes that PhD candidates experience a unique set of issues that require attention, including but not limited to academic, funding, progression, training, supervision and employment issues.
The PhD Student Officer’s role is to support PhD candidates. They will also advise the PSU’s Sabbatical Officers, Council and Executive on policy issues around PhD candidate representation. For that reason, only PhD candidates are eligible to apply and hold this position after progression through at least one full year of PhD work.
Job Description
- In collaboration with the Vice President Academic and Research, be a point of contact for postgraduate research students. Advocate for postgraduate research students on academic issues and concerns such as student-supervisor issues, academic policy, grants and funding, academic calendar and procedures.
- Act as a liaison between the Union and the Graduate and Professional Studies unit on research matters
- Facilitate and attend meetings and conferences that relate to research and enhance the interest of the Union
- Co-chair the Research group of UL Postgraduate Forum
- Encourage participation of postgraduate research students in PSU activities
- Work closely with the President, Vice President and events group of PSU Council in order to hold events for PhD candidates
- In collaboration with the President and Vice president for Academic and Research, review and monitor the implementation of policies and procedures developed by the University of Limerick such as, Academic Regulations, Research Policy, Student Complaint Procedure and the Postgraduate Charter
- Be a member of UL research working groups and committees and act as a liaison between the Union and Office of the Vice President for Research
- Engage with teaching and research assistants as well as other postgraduate research employees in the university
- Collaborate with other postgraduate research associations, student unions and universities to promote research in alignment with the Unions’ goals and objectives
- Attend PSU Executive and Council meetings and present monthly reports in explicit and implicit form, including but not limited to; goals, projects, achievements, issues and recommendations
- Perform other function set out by the PSU Executive or Council
- If there is a conflict of interest the VP Academic Research will take on that concern
Essential Criteria
- Be a PhD candidate at the University of Limerick
- Understanding and knowledge of the academic research environment
- At least in the second year of their PhD programme
- Must have completed at least one Progression panel
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills & networking skills
- Must not be a Fully Funded Research Student
- Must have Supervisor approval before accepting the role
Desirable Criteria
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to take initiative, propose new ideas and challenge the status quo
- Be proactive, student focused with evidence of the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community of students, researchers, academics and staff
- An excellent team player, with a willingness to be flexible, collegial, and collaborative
- Work independently and as a part of a team
How to Apply
Please send your Application Letter and CV to psu@ul.ie by 12 noon on July 30, 2020, subject line PhD Student Officer
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Aimée McKenzie on psu@ul.ie