Senior Research Degrees Advisor
New Zealand GovernmentJob Description
About the Role
Are you a people-focused professional with a passion for delivering excellent service and supporting others through meaningful journeys? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where no two days look the same? If so, this is an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the postgraduate research experience at one of New Zealand's leading universities.
Te Mata Kairangi School of Graduate Research is seeking a capable and empathetic Graduate Research Administrator to join its small, high-performing team on a fixed-term basis from August 2026 through to March 2027, covering a period of planned leave. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) based at the Hillcrest Campus.
In this fast-paced and rewarding position, you will serve as a key point of contact for higher degree research students and the academic staff who supervise them. You will provide accurate advice, coordinate essential administrative processes, and help ensure postgraduate researchers receive the guidance and support they need to progress and succeed. Your work will directly contribute to a stimulating, inclusive, and professionally run research environment that reflects the University's commitment to research excellence and student wellbeing.
This role sits within a team that is responsible for the strategic leadership and delivery of services across all postgraduate higher research degree programmes at the University of Waikato — including the management of centrally funded scholarships and those offered by Divisions and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Provide accurate, timely, and empathetic advice and information to postgraduate research students and academic supervisors on regulations, procedures, and administrative requirements
- Support students through key stages of their research journey, including applications, enrolments, progress reporting, completions, and examinations
- Coordinate and deliver research workshops, events, and other activities that contribute to a supportive postgraduate community
- Liaise with academic staff, internal departments, and external stakeholders connected to the School of Graduate Research
- Manage and maintain administrative systems and records with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- Apply inclusive and culturally aware approaches when engaging with students and staff from diverse backgrounds
- Navigate and work across digital platforms and university systems to support the smooth delivery of processes
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of administrative processes and service delivery within the team
Who You Are
You are a warm, organised, and resilient professional who genuinely enjoys working with people and takes pride in the quality of your service. You lead with empathy and professionalism, and you have the ability to balance competing priorities without losing your positive outlook.
You will bring:
- Sound administration experience, ideally within a tertiary, education, or professional services environment
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage confidently with a wide range of people
- A high level of attention to detail and accuracy in your work
- Cultural awareness and an inclusive approach to supporting people from varying backgrounds
- The ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a busy environment
- Solid digital literacy and confidence working across administrative and information systems
- Sound judgement and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team
- An interest in or familiarity with academic research environments (desirable, but not essential)
About Te Mata Kairangi School of Graduate Research
The School of Graduate Research provides strategic leadership and comprehensive administrative support for all postgraduate higher research degree programmes across the University of Waikato. Its vision is to foster a stimulating, supportive, and inclusive experience for postgraduate researchers, while delivering a professional, efficient, and collaborative service to the wider University. The School also manages all centrally funded scholarships, as well as many provided by Divisions and external partners.
About the University of Waikato
The University of Waikato stands proudly on the world stage as a future-focused institution committed to international education and globally impactful research. The University is guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and is deeply committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion across its staff and student community. It takes pride in its meaningful engagement with the communities it serves and the national and international reach of its research.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a high-performing, purpose-driven team that genuinely values its people
- Contribute directly to the success and wellbeing of postgraduate researchers
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Interested in this position?
Don't miss out on this opportunity. Apply now and take the next step in your career.
