This research will work with 132 early years settings across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands to investigate the impact of the TWiTCH programme on 3-4-year-old children’s language and communication skills and on nursery practitioner’s behaviours during story telling using a randomised controlled trial. The research will also investigate how the TWiTCH programme was implemented in different settings, barriers and facilitators to delivery and whether the project theory of change is supported through the implementation and process evaluation.

The successful applicant will be expected to project manage the delivery of the full project, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, Vic Menizes as well as undertake much of the implementation and process evaluation including the development of research tools, collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and contributing to the write up of the project report.

This collaborative project is working with colleagues from across the School of Education and department of Anthropology at Durham University, the School of Environment, Education and Development at the University of Manchester, Navigator Insight (formally known as QaResearch), an independent research company, and with the TWiTCH programme developers based at Sheffield Hallam University. The project will also work closely with the EEF as funder of the research.

The role will involve travel across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands to visit nursery settings, to attend training and to meet with the programme developers.

Key responsibilities:

• To conduct and project manage the TWiTCH evaluation research project under the direction of the Principal Investigator
• To assist with the development and delivery of research objectives for the TWiTCH evaluation and proposals.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To develop and maintain relationships with project stakeholders throughout the project
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of the research project.
• To publish high quality outputs, including the final peer reviewed project report, papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions leading to the high-quality delivery of the research outcomes.
• To work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

This post is fixed term working 0.8 FTE for 20 months as the project is time limited and dependent on limited external research funding.

The post-holder is employed to work on 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 in September 2026.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package [here](https://www.dur.