Job Description

Ref Number

B04-06898

Professional Expertise

HR and Wellbeing

Department

UCL BEAMS (B04)

Location

Dorking

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,981-52,586

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

04-Jan-2026

About us

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The Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the Department of Space and Climate Physics is located on its own campus deep in the beautiful Surrey Hills and is the UK's largest university space research group. Space science is a discipline that demands highly innovative technologies, and the Department has an international reputation for excellence in this area.



UCL was one of the first universities in the world to become involved in making scientific observations in space. Since the department was established in 1966, it has participated in over 70 satellite missions with the European Space Agency, NASA (US), Japan, Russia, China and India, and flown over 230 rocket experiments.

Due to the campus's unique rural location, there are no direct public transport links. If you're considering applying for this role, it's important to ensure you have access to your own transport to travel to and from our campus at Holmbury St Mary and live within a commutable distance.

About the role

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We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Human Resources generalist to join our team as HR Coordinator in the Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL). This is a dynamic role requiring flexibility, adaptability, and a proactive approach to HR service delivery.



Key Responsibilities:


Lead all HR-related activities within the department.

Manage interactions between MSSL, the Faculty, and UCL's central HR teams.

Act as the first point of contact for all HR-related staffing queries.

Provide high-level HR support to the Director, Departmental Manager, and line managers.

Offer advice and guidance on HR policies, processes, and employee relations issues.

Support managers in applying appropriate HR procedures.

Implement the full staff recruitment and onboarding cycle.

Line manage one member of staff within the MSSL Operations Team.

Provide on-site advice as a member of the Professional Services team at least 2-3 days per week, participating in the cover rota.

We are proud to promote a positive work-life balance and a family-friendly working culture. This position is offered in line with UCL hybrid working basis, and applicants should be able to attend the workplace in line with the policy to support key business activities and the evolving operational needs of the team.

This is a full time post fixed for two years in the first instance and with extension subject to funding.



We reserve the right to close the advert after two weeks if we have received sufficient suitable applicants.

About you

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We are seeking a proactive and experienced HR Coordinator to join the Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL) at UCL. This is a key operational role, responsible for delivering high-quality HR support across the department.



You will have a working knowledge of UK employment law as well as HR practices and be able to provide expert advice on HR policies and procedures, and act as the first point of contact for HR-related queries.



Your interpersonal skills will be excellent and you will have the ability to work with a wide range of people.



Your organisational skills will also be excellent and you are able to work calmly and accurately under pressure.



This role offers an exciting opportunity to support world-leading research in a collaborative and forward-thinking academic environment.

Application Guidance:

Your application must clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet each of the criteria outlined in the Person Specification.

Please structure your responses to match the criteria for ease of assessment by the shortlisting panel

Previous applicants for this role need not apply

What we offer

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

On-site swimming pool

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.



A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. If you have any queries about the role, please contact Claire Puddephatt, Departmental Manager (c.puddephatt@ucl.ac.uk).

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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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+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/



The Department has been awarded the Institute of Physics Juno Practitioner. The aim of Project Juno is to recognise and reward physics departments, schools and institutes and organisations that can demonstrate they have taken action to address gender equality in physics and to encourage better practice for all staff.