The University
The Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge wishes to appoint a Research Assistant to work within PEDAL (the Faculty of Education's centre for research on Play in Education, Development and Learning). This post offers a rare opportunity to get involved in a variety of interesting projects across our high-performing research group. You'll play a role in collecting, analysing and disseminating research and mobilising knowledge to influence public policy.
This is a full-time position, but we are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.
About the Role
The postholder will be an integral part of the PEDAL team and will assist different research projects that are currently being undertaken by the Principal Investigators in the Centre. This will be a varied role contributing to research programme delivery, collaboration with families and practitioners and the preparation and dissemination of key findings.
Duties will include:
- Managing communications, meetings and relationships with stakeholders including collaborators, participants and service partners
- Assisting with literature reviews and evidence synthesis
- Assisting with collection, data entry and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on studies
The postholder will also have a key role in an exciting new programme, Mobilise, which is designed to help those making and delivering policy to harness the power of academic research to address today's most pressing policy challenges. You will play a role in supporting the delivery of the programme and its evaluation. This will include designing surveys to evaluate engagement with the programme, and collecting and analysing feedback.
What you will need
- A good first degree or equivalent ¿ 2:1 or above in psychology or other appropriate discipline
- Experience of conducting research assessments or working closely with children and families
- Demonstrated interest in developmental psychology, play or closely related field
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people, including as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Advanced computer skills including all Microsoft packages
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Data management skills
- The capacity to manage own workload and work independently within guidelines provided
- An understanding of confidentiality
- Creative and flexible approach to problem solving
- The capacity to reflect on managing challenging work situations and to learn from mistakes
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
Benefits
You can expect to receive.
- A competitive salary with automatic service-related progression and annual cost of living increases
- A generous annual leave allowance of 41 days per year (including bank holidays)
- Access to a hybrid pension scheme with attractive employer contributions
- Access to a range of shopping and travel discounts through the Cambens scheme
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please can you upload CV and a letter of application indicating how you meet the person specification and would contribute to the responsibilities of the post.
We hope to hold interviews on 14 December 2023
If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed to Sally Hogg, Senior Policy Fellow sah225@cam.ac.uk.
Please quote reference JR39400 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.