Durham University
CASUAL ACADEMIC - Research Assistant/Associate
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Job Title: Research Assistant (Education)
Working arrangements: Hybrid
Closing date: 15th August
Potential interview date: 25th August
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
The School of Education is seeking a part-time Research Assistant (0.2 FTE, casual for 12 months) to support a project entitled "From Framework to Practice: Implementing the AI Assessment Scale in Irish Secondary Education," an ESRC Impact Acceleration Account project delivered in partnership with the Joint Managerial Body (JMB) Secretariat of Secondary Schools in Ireland.
The purpose of the role is to provide research support across the project's data collection, organisation, and analysis activities. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher, including those working toward or intending to pursue postgraduate research, to gain hands-on experience in applied, mixed-methods educational research within one of the most rapidly developing and policy-relevant areas in the field.
Key responsibilities include supporting the collection, organisation, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; assisting with semi-structured interviews with teachers and school leaders; helping to administer and process structured feedback surveys; supporting the analysis of assessment materials before and after implementation; contributing to the preparation of the project's evaluation report and implementation guidelines; supporting co-design workshops and pilot delivery activities; and maintaining research data in line with GDPR and institutional ethical requirements.
The Research Assistant will be supervised by and report to the Principal Investigator, Dr Jasper Roe (Assistant Professor in Digital Literacies and Pedagogies, School of Education), and will work alongside the wider project team and the JMB partner organisation. The post is funded through Durham University's ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, and the role contributes directly to the project's impact activity, including the development of training resources, evaluation evidence, and early-stage scoping for wider adoption and commercialisation.
Responsibilities
- Support the collection, organisation, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data for the project.
- Assist with semi-structured interviews with teachers and school leaders.
- Help administer and process structured feedback surveys.
- Contribute to the preparation of the project’s evaluation report and implementation guidelines.
- Support co-design workshops and pilot delivery activities with the JMB partner.
- Maintain research data in line with GDPR and institutional ethical requirements.
- Understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions, and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
- Analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- Liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- Contribute to the planning of research projects.
- Assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment.
- Contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- Engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- Engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
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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.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01 September 2026.
Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Dr Jasper Roe
Assistant Professor in Digital Literacies and Pedagogies
Jasper.j.roe@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).
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University contact for general queries about the recruitment process
Hr.Casuals@durham.ac.uk
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
- a covering letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
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 to the University, either virtually or in-person, and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around the 17th of August.
In the event that you are unable to attend in person 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.
- Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
- Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
- Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of conducting high-quality academic research.
- Experience of preparing academic papers.
- Ability to assist in the provision of support to funded academic research.
- Ability to contribute to the planning and management of independent research.
- Flexibility to join meetings across time zones given the international collaborative aspects of the project.
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