Research Assistant

The Department of Education is looking to appoint a Research Assistant to join an interdisciplinary team based at the University of Oxford and UCL, to carry out research for the externally-funded project, ‘A portrait of the teaching of Empire, Migration and Belonging (E,M,B) in English secondary schools.’ The project is primarily focused on supporting teachers with their teaching of these complex topics and the research consists of four key strands (please see attached summary information for further details). Reporting to Dr Jason Todd and working alongside other members of the research group, the post holder will provide focused support in the development of Strand A (see summary of strand A). The post holder will liaise with relevant stakeholders and experts to undertake an initial review of related literature to inform the empirical strands, including media coverage analysis of the key themes, and use agreed approaches for extensive searches of secondary qualitative and quantitative data sources, secondary data analysis, and literature analysis.

The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project and managing their own research and administrative activities, selecting and adapting specialist methodologies to confirm or refute theories, and contributing to wider overall project planning. They will contribute to the design of research materials, prepare written summaries of research findings and contribute to publications. The post holder will also contribute to discussions with colleagues at UCL, and represent the research group at external seminars.

The successful candidate will hold a first degree, together with some relevant experience, be working toward a doctorate in a specialist discipline and possess sufficient knowledge to work within the established research programme. They will have experience of conducting literature reviews, following and adapting methodologies and conducting individual and group interviews. They must also have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write text that can be published and present data at conferences.

This post is fixed-term until 31 October 2023 and is offered on a part-time basis.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your application, explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post.

For further details of the role, please see the job description. The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 18 November 2022 and only applications received by this deadline will be considered. Interviews will likely be held week commencing Monday 28 November 2022.