Project Administrator, WISERD Multi Cohort Study (WMCS)

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Project Administrator, WISERD Multi Cohort Study (WMCS)

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit a Project Administrator to work within Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods Research Centre that is located within the school.

The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) is a national, interdisciplinary, social science research institute. We are a collaborative venture between five Welsh universities: Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea – working together to improve the quality and quantity of social science research in Wales and beyond. Our research effects change by influencing the development of policy and practice across a range of sectors. The administrative hub of WISERD is based at Cardiff University, within the School of Social Sciences. We are located in sbarc|spark, the world's first social science research park.

WISERD hosts a number of major research grants, including Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales – the Local Policy and Innovation Partnership for Rural Wales; ‘People, Places and the Public Sphere’ – a three-year research programme funded by the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the 2026 Welsh Election Study. WISERD is also part of Administrative Data Research Wales – a collaboration between Welsh Government, Swansea University and WISERD at Cardiff University.

In this role, as the Project Administrator, you will provide comprehensive professional administrative support to the WISERD Multi Cohort Study project, providing advice and guidance on all administrative functions, taking responsibility for the day-to-day management and oversight of the project.

This post is part-time (17.5 hours per week), is fixed term until 31st March 2027 and is immediately available.

Salary: £28,031 - £31,236 per annum, pro rata for part time hours (Grade 4), with annual increments up to final salary at top of grade.  New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the salary scale.

Responsible to Ms Sonia De Saxe, Research Support Officer

For an informal discussion about the role please contact  Sonia, DeSaxeS1@cardiff.ac.uk 

Based in Sbarc|Spark, there is a requirement to be in the office at least 7 hours per week, however, this may increase depending on business need.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40  days annual leave, pro rata for part time workers (including bank holidays) blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.

Date advert posted: Friday, 17 April 2026

Closing date: Friday, 1 May 2026

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

• To provide detailed advice and guidance on administrative processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, contributing to the resolution of more complex issues. 
• To collaborate with others in order to make recommendations for development of established and new processes and procedures.
• To establish working relationships with key contacts to improve service levels, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required.
• To undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the team and department.
• To gather and analyse data to inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports and recommendations as appropriate.
• To instruct and guide other employees across the Institute with administrative queries.
• To work as part of the WISERD Hub team and provide support to the wider WISERD administrative team by contributing to team meetings, awaydays and conferences as well as helping to provide office cover, developing and promoting good practice within the team and assisting colleagues as and when required. Very occasional overnight travel may be necessary.

Specific Duties

• To produce progress reports for the lead academic for funder and governance groups when necessary, analysing and highlighting project outputs, progress and risks.
• To arrange and minute weekly and quarterly project meetings with the aim of outlining action points and decisions for future reference
• To support the research associate and lead academic with the organisation and administration of research activities including liaising with key project stakeholders and study participants
• To support the communication of research impact activity. Work with colleagues on communicating their research successes and producing promotional materials.
• To liaise with University teams in Finance and Research and Innovation Services when required.

General Duties

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by University policies on Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and data protection.
• To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent.

Substantial experience of working in an administrative role.

Extensive previous practical knowledge of Microsoft 365 software for editing documents, filing, sharing files, and setting up meetings. An ability or willingness to set up other standard office systems and procedures and make improvements as appropriate.

Specialist knowledge of project administration, particularly in an academic, research, or public sector environment.

Excellent interpersonal, written and numerical skills, including the ability to deal professionally with a range of organisations and individuals at all levels, including senior staff.

Proven ability to perform strongly as part of a team with the ability to be proactive, flexible and adaptable in approach.

Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understanding with proven ability to advise and influence key stakeholders.

Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available.

Excellent organisational skills along with the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload and work to strict deadlines, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable Criteria

• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.
• Experience of working in a Higher Education environment.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

 It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.

 When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.

Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

Additional Information

The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD)

The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) is a national, interdisciplinary, social science research institute. We have been designated by the Welsh Government as a national research centre. Using innovative approaches, our research spans the fields of economics, sociology, geography and political science.
We are a collaborative venture between the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea – working together to improve the quality and quantity of social science research in Wales and beyond. Our research effects change by influencing the development of policy and practice across a range of sectors.

WISERD is located in the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK) alongside a large number of other social science research centres. It is primarily based in the School of Social Sciences, and works across the University. The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including sociology, policy studies, criminology, education and social work

Further details of the School's activities may be found on our home page: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/social-sciences

The School of Social Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in academia. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We actively encourage women to apply. We will also always consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.

Job Category

Admin / Clerical