Research Assistant (Maternity Cover)

The Department of Education is looking to appoint a Research Assistant to join the Learning for Families through Technology (LiFT) project team. The LiFT project is a collaboration between Ferrero International, Gameloft and the Department of Education. LiFT is aimed at developing and evaluating the educational potential of app-based interactive activities for children and families. Reporting to Prof Victoria Murphy, the post holder will be a joint member of the Applied Linguistics, Child Development and Learning and Learning Technologies research groups, with responsibility for carrying out research for the LiFT research programme.

The post holder will work with other LiFT team members to develop research materials, work with the app developers (Gameloft) in creating app content, and collect, code and analyse resulting data. They will be responsible for managing their own academic research and administrative activities; this involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines. They will conduct key research tasks to investigate language learning (both first and second/foreign) potential and creativity development using Applaydu. They will identify schools and recruit children/families for participation in evaluation studies, carry out fieldwork experiments and manage the schedule for this. The post holder will also contribute to oral presentations and write clear and concise reports for project partners, families and academic audiences.

The successful candidate will hold a relevant undergraduate degree, together with relevant experience, and possess sufficient knowledge to work within the established research programme. They will have experience of at least one of the following: conducting experiments, observation, interviews with child and/or adult participants, and have the ability to liaise with various agencies and research teams, including schools. The successful candidate will have excellent team working and interpersonal skills, strong organisational skills and be proficient with IT and data analysis. They must also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write for publication and present research results.

This post is fixed-term and is to cover the absence of the substantive postholder, who is taking a period of maternity leave. The post is available until 30 November 2023 or the actual return of the substantive postholder, or the resignation of the substantive postholder and employment of a new postholder, whichever is the earliest.

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 18th November 2022, and only applications received by this deadline will be considered. Interviews will likely be held on Tuesday 6th December 2022.