research associate

assistant professor

research assistant

postdoctoral research associate

administrative assistant

Heriot--watt-University

There are some great aspects about this place: sick pay, pension scheme, holidays, comfortable environment, most colleagues are good and helpful people.

The pay used to be good in hospitality but it's not any more considering the inflation and how far the campus is from the city centre (cost of transportation needs to be taken into account, very unpractical to reach the place by walk).

Management isn't just very little communicative with lower levels but it's also very slow to act on serious issues but gets very fast when it comes to hire people they personally like. Hiring process gets quite formal and strict for some people, fast and agile for others, almost a quick formality, criteria for advancement are bent accordingly.

Despite having a strict policy on dominant behaviours, some people got away with it for long time.
At times the job is quite easy and the atmosphere relaxed. Most times it's quite hellish, with very little energy left once the shift is over.
It's constantly severely understaffed with high turnover.
It can be a good first job or a part-time one, in summer there's the chance to do a lot of overtimes and get a 1 and half pay rate over the 38th hour per week. That being said people grow tired and frustrated pretty quickly.

Thought it would be a job till retirement WRONG.
The section I was in where more interested in sitting in the work shop sleeping or chatting.
Some of the work I got and completed in half hour had been sitting waiting to be done 6 months before. The client told me that some one came and that was 6 not her ago. All it needed was a M12 lock nut to complete the job.( 100s in the store).
This was how it went on , other work which I thought was in our discription of works was handed to outside contractors for no good reason. Over time was never offers it was declined on your behalf by the forman.
On call was given to the forman unless he desided to give it to another from a list 1# to 6th so only if the other 5 refused I got the job. Must say other trade sections where better worked with each other but the joiner section was a joke. Management new and did nothing. GUTLESS.........

Heriot-Watt University has exceeded my expectations as a postgraduate researcher. The supportive academic environment and state-of-the-art facilities have been instrumental in fostering a conducive atmosphere for research excellence. The faculty members are not only experts in their fields but also approachable and committed to nurturing intellectual growth. The university's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration has enriched my research experience, providing a holistic perspective to my work. The vibrant and diverse community at Heriot-Watt has enhanced my cultural and academic understanding, creating a truly global research network. Overall, Heriot-Watt University has proven to be an exceptional institution for postgraduate research, offering a stimulating and inclusive environment that empowers students to excel in their academic pursuits.

A typical day at work involves processing application and CAS's, maintaining student data and inputting and checking exam results.

I have learned a lot about the admissions system across the board.

Management at Heriot-Watt is excellent. I have received good support and training.

My co-workers have made my time at Heriot-Watt enjoyable and productive. There is a lot of positive communication and strong team work.

The hardest part of the job is dealing with high levels of applications, which I deal with using good time management.

The most enjoyable part of the job is a sense of pride and achievement in work done well. I also gain enjoyment form interacting with students.

Heriot-Watt is a great place to work, but this particular CICCS Group has a very poor management. They wont give you freedom to think and act, although they are looking for PhDs. The treatment to RAs is very unfair by the management, and the whole group is disintegrated because there is no trust within the group. The work environment is so much tensed, and have witnessed when people start resigning, PhD students failed in their First year review, etc etc. It is very disappointing experience, because as an RA you are trying to put your best, but i felt all the energy is wasted, and you wont receive any appreciation at all, which is the booster for the motivation of the good work. In addition, they wont even put good word for you to succeed somewhere else.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The people are so kind and the team i work with are the best. Management are thoughtful and are able to help whenever you need them. Working hours are great and there is huge flexibility. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Being on a rolling contract and not sure if you will be kept on year after year. That's the only problem. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Excellent. 100% want this environment and culture in all future jobs. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Part time worker, so its not typical at all. There is lots to do, always customers/students coming and going, new problems and interesting ways to fix them.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great colleagues, fairly relaxed working environment

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Input from other teams who have no awareness of their impact to the wider roles

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very good work environment from a school point of view. The wider central finance was known to be toxic. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Working alongside other teams, academics to ensure cuccess for their projects financials.

A system brought in that was not tested and not fit for purpose. Communication is rubbish, staff turnover extremely high and staff sickness. 
The question is are they providing the best student experience at the University, No! This also reflects in the student servey. 
Managers say they are there to talk to if needed, when they are not. They don’t read there emails or reply to them. 
A very high level of interim within the University, that get trained up and then let go when new staff start, therefore knowledge is lost. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Holiday Entitlement, nothing else.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The terrible senior managers make it one of the most stressful universities to work at in Scotland. No help.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Buildings are run down, like the staff. Stress.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Long hours unpaid overtime no thanks

Good Place To Work, Great Opportunities To Gain Experience Working With Students And Helping Them Whenever They Require Assistance, Gained My First Aid At Work Cert Also Done Some Mental Health Training Also, Good Training Matrix And Meet Alot Of Interesting People, Couldn't Fault Any Of The Experience And The Salary Is Great Also, Comes With Alot Of Perks And Everything Is Easily Done Online 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Research associate 39 salaries reported	£41,134 per year
Assistant professor 21 salaries reported	£46,795 per year
Research assistant 19 salaries reported	£34,312 per year
Postdoctoral research associate 32 salaries reported	£41,790 per year
Administrative assistant 3 salaries reported	£25,469 per year

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