Durham University
CASUAL ACADEMIC - Research Assistant/Associate
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Job Title: Casual Research Assistant for Parent–Child Dialogic Book Reading Programme
Department: School of Education
Grade: Grade 6
Salary: £31,236, hourly rate £17.16
Working arrangements: Up to 150 hours (equivalent to approximately 21 working days) between October 2026 and June 2027
Location: Hybrid working, with a minimum of 7 working days undertaken in person in Durham
Closing date: 15 September 2026
Potential interview date: 8/9 Oct 2026 (online interview)
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
The Role and Department
About the Project
This Grant Seedcorn-funded project aims to develop and evaluate a Parent–Child Dialogic Book Reading programme designed to support young children's language and literacy development through shared reading interactions between parents and children.
About the Role
We are seeking a reliable and enthusiastic Research Assistant to provide research and administrative support throughout the project between November 2026 and July 2027. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting participant recruitment, maintaining communication with participating families, and assisting with the smooth delivery of the study. The role will operate under a hybrid working arrangement, with specific working patterns to be agreed with the line manager. Successful applicants should note that a minimum of seven working days must be undertaken in person in Durham during the contract period.
The successful applicant will be working directly with Dr Xiaofei Qi, the Principal Investigator (PI) for the research project.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the recruitment of participating families at the beginning of the study.
- Visit local schools, nurseries, family hubs and other community settings across County Durham and surrounding areas to promote the study and support participant recruitment.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with partner organisations, including early years settings and family support services.
- Maintain regular communication with participants throughout the data collection period, responding to queries and providing study updates as appropriate.
- Assist with the scheduling and coordination of research activities.
- Monitor participant engagement and maintain accurate participant records in accordance with data protection requirements.
- Support the organisation and management of project documentation and study materials.
- Assist with data entry, data management, and preparation of research records where required.
- Provide general administrative support to the Principal Investigator to facilitate the successful delivery of the project.
- Attend project meetings and contribute to project-related tasks as appropriate.
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This post is fixed term for 8 months as the role is funded through a time-limited Seedcorn Grant and is required solely for the duration of the Parent–Child Dialogic Book Reading project, ending in July 2027.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, as the role involves working with children in educational and community settings, including visits to schools, nurseries and family hubs, and may involve one-to-one contact with child participants.
The University will also require satisfactory evidence of the successful applicant's right to live and work in the UK prior to appointment.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK's Skilled Worker route. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the full duration of the appointment.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by [1 Nov 2026].
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Dr Xiaofei Qi, Associate Professor, xiaofei.qi@durham.ac.uk.
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application
If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.
Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What to Submit
All applicants are asked to submit:
- A CV and covering letter detailing their experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or demonstrating the potential to meet) the essential and desirable criteria set out in the person specification.
- The covering letter should clearly explain how your experience and skills align with the requirements of the role, including your experience of working with parents, schools and other education stakeholders, and your suitability for supporting participant recruitment, engagement and project administration activities.
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Please note that applications consisting of a CV only will not be considered. A covering letter is a mandatory component of the application and must be submitted alongside the CV.
We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
Next Steps
Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview. We anticipate that interviews will take place online around [8 or 9 Oct 2026].
In the event that you are unable to attend the interview on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- A good first degree [Education, Psychology, Linguistics, Childhood Studies, Social Sciences or a related discipline.]
- Experience working with parents, schools and other education stakeholders.
- Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
- Complete fluency in spoken and written English.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills and ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.
- Ability to travel across County Durham and surrounding areas.
- Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, manage tasks effectively and work to strict deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications.
Desirable Criteria:
- A Master's degree, or working towards a Master's or PhD degree in Education, Psychology, Childhood Studies, Linguistics, Social Research, or a related field.
- Experience of working with children and families.
- Experience of participant recruitment, community outreach or stakeholder engagement.
- Experience supporting education, literacy, language development or early years projects.
- Experience of research administration and maintaining confidential records.
- Interest in children's language, literacy and family learning.
- Experience of conducting high quality academic research.
- Experience of preparing academic papers
- Experience using online survey platforms.
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