Ref Number
B04-07743
Professional Expertise
Administration and Business Support
Department
UCL BEAMS (B04)
Location
Dorking
Working Pattern
Part time
Salary
£28,258-£29,882
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
On site
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
13-Sept-2026
The Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL), part of University College London (UCL), is located on its own campus in the beautiful Surrey Hills, surrounded by woodland approximately 30 miles south of central London. MSSL is the UK's largest university space research group, with approximately 90 research-active staff and students and around 150 staff in total. Space science is a discipline that demands highly innovative technologies, and MSSL has an international reputation for excellence in this field. 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 73 satellite missions with organisations including the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and international partners in Japan, Russia, China and India, as well as flying 224 rocket experiments.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Kitchen Assistant to join the Department of Space and Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory), University College London (UCL). This is a busy and friendly team that provides daily lunches, afternoon refreshments and catering for various functions The successful candidate will support the Catering Manager in the running of the Catering Department, assisting with food preparation and service, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, and supporting the delivery of catering services for staff, students and visitors. This is a permanent, part-time position (0.55 FTE) based on site at MSSL, Holmbury St Mary. Please note: The salary stated is the full-time equivalent (FTE) salary. This post is 0.55 FTE and salary will be paid on a pro rata basis. Please see the Job Description for full details of the duties and responsibilities of the role.
The ideal candidate will have GCSE English or equivalent. You will have good communication and customer service skills and be able to maintain high standards of hygiene within the workplace. You will be confident working in a fast-paced environment, able to work both independently and as part of a team, and willing to undertake a variety of tasks to support the day-to-day operation of the Catering Department. As the Department is in a remote location and cannot be accessed by public transport, the ability to travel to site independently is essential. Previous experience in a kitchen environment is desirable. Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
We offer the opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team in a varied role, contributing to the daily life of a world-leading space science research department. Based in the beautiful Surrey Hills, you will play an important role in supporting staff, students and visitors through the delivery of catering services. In addition to a competitive salary, UCL provides a generous benefits package, including 41 days' leave (inclusive of annual leave, bank holidays and closure days, pro rata for part-time staff), membership of a defined benefit pension scheme, learning and development opportunities, wellbeing support and a range of staff discounts and benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more. A full job description, person specification and application details can be accessed via the links below.
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. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our long-term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality. We are in the process of applying for an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/ Our organisation is proud to support a wide range of staff-led networks that foster inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainability across the workplace. These include our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group, which champion an inclusive culture, LGBTQ+ Group alongside PACT (Parents and Carers Together), supporting colleagues who are carers, including those caring for parents with dementia, neurodivergent children, and LGBTQ+ families. Colleagues also connect through our Social Club and Car Pooling Group, strengthening our sense of community while promoting practical collaboration. A strong focus on environmental responsibility is reflected in initiatives such as the Green Impact Team, Sustainability Plan Working Group, EV Car Users Group, Wild Space, Orchard Planters, and Allotment Users, all of which encourage staff to engage in sustainable practices and contribute to greener ways of working. Together, these networks provide valuable opportunities for staff to connect, share experiences, and actively shape a positive and supportive workplace
