Research Assistant in Careers and Employability

College of Arts, Humanities and Education

We are looking to recruit a research assistant to support the growth and development of research and consultancy in the area of careers, employability, and the relationship between education and work.

Job details

Responsible to

Senior Researcher

Closing date

Monday 13 January 2025

Salary

£23,581 to £28,081 per annum

Job grade

Research Assistant

Reference

0489-24

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) is an applied research centre located in the Institute of Education at the University of Derby. Our research addresses how people develop their careers in complex modern societies and what kinds of interventions and approaches can be used to enable people to build successful careers and find their way to achieving their potential.

The iCeGS aims to work closely with a range of clients and funders to undertake research that meets their organisational or programme needs. We are interested in interventions that take place in schools, further and higher education and the labour market in public and private sectors.

iCeGS is looking to recruit a research assistant to support the growth and development of research and consultancy in the area of careers, employability, and the relationship between education and work. Having gained proven experience in social research in the field of social or educational research, you will contribute to a range of research and consultancy projects.

A key responsibility for this post will be to contribute to the project administration of a COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) funded project, Critical Perspectives on Career and Career Guidance.

Please note a DBS may need to be completed once employed dependant on which research projects you participate in.

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented individual with proven experience of writing comprehensive reports, papers, and publications, demonstrating their ability to communicate complex research findings effectively.

A background in working within a research centre or similar environment is desirable, showcasing an understanding of the collaborative and dynamic nature of research-based work.

You will possess excellent knowledge and practical application of research methodologies, with a demonstrated ability to select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques for robust analysis.

Additionally, experience in project delivery is required, highlighting the ability to manage timelines, resources, and outcomes to successfully achieve project goals.

This role provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful research while leveraging your expertise in data analysis and scholarly communication.

  1. Under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, carry out research activity that contributes to particular projects.
  2. Analyse, interpret and evaluate research data and present conclusions on the data to those involved with the research project(s).
  3. Contribute to the dissemination of the research project(s) in the appropriate format (such as a report, papers, book chapters, journals).
  4. Update knowledge and understanding in own and other relevant disciplines.
  5. Provide support as necessary with other staff for the supervision of undergraduate or postgraduate students and projects, which may involve demonstration or limited teaching.
  6. Undertake appropriate training and staff development.
  7. Provide guidance as required to other colleagues working on related research project(s).
  8. Assist and help informally students working in the same research discipline.
  9. Develop internal and external contacts with other academic staff to begin to form collaborative relationships and assist with their research project(s).
  10. Understand own development needs and, with appropriate input, formulate a personal development plan.
  11. Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • Relevant undergraduate degree in social sciences, education or a related discipline

Experience

  • Experience of writing comprehensive reports / papers / publications
  • Experience of project delivery

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • Excellent knowledge of appropriate research methods, tools and technology
  • Ability to collect, analyse and synthesise research data and information
  • Ability to communicate complex information clearly both in writing and presentations
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
  • Ability to use initiative and creativity to solve problems in a research context
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
  • Innovative and creative

Business requirements

  • Demonstrate competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core value
  • Flexible to the needs of others
  • Committed to ensuring a high-quality student experience
  • Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
  • Able to take a flexible approach to work
  • Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for work
  • Some evening and occasional weekend work

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

  • A postgraduate qualification such as a master’s or doctoral qualification PhD or EdD

Experience

  • Experience of project management
  • Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field
  • Experience of presenting scientific research results to various audience
  • Experience of working in a research environment
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
  • Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
  • Discounted onsite gym
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Tristram Hooley, Research Professor via t.hooley@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Apply today to invest in your career with University of Derby.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

A university that celebrates you

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

Environment and sustainability

 

Further details

Download Research Assistant in Careers and Employability job descriptionDownload Research Assistant in Careers and Employability job description

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