Postdoctoral Researcher in Assessment

Post-Doctoral Researcher in Assessment

Level 1

Centre for Assessment Research and Policy in Education (CARPE)

Fixed Term Contract up to 3 Years

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a young, ambitious and vibrant university, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise’, DCU is a values-based institution, committed to the delivery of impact for the public good. DCU was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.

DCU is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. More than 18,000 students are enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education.

DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on delivering a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. The university continues to develop innovative programmes in collaboration with industry, such as the DCU Futures suite of degrees, which are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required in a rapidly evolving economy.

DCU’s pursuit of excellence has led to its current ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It is also one of the world’s Top Young Universities (QS Top 100 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100). In the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, DCU ranked 23rd in the world for its approach to widening participation in higher education and its ongoing commitment to eradicating poverty, while it ranks 38th globally for its work in reducing inequality and 89th globally for gender equality.

The university is ranked 23rd in the world and first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, according to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Over the past decade, DCU has been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

As part of this role the researcher will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework. This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to Researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path.

The Post-Doctoral Researcher will, under the guidance of the Prometric Chair, engage in research of interest to Prometric and to the educational community more broadly. The successful individual will work with the Prometric Chair and others within the Centre for Assessment Research and Policy in Education (CARPE) on research projects focused on the development and delivery of tests and assessments in educational and workplace settings.

As part of this role the researcher will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework. This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to Researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chair in Assessment, the Postdoctoral Researcher in Assessment will:

• Research solutions to assessment and testing problems pertinent to the credentialing industry, to Prometric and to the education community in Ireland and internationally.
• Contribute to the production of top-quality journal and conference publications.
• Identify and write proposals for research funding.
• Participate in CARPE activities, such as research showcases and annual reviews.
• Provide support and advice to PhD students working on similar topics.
• Contribute to teaching and supervision in the Institute of Education.
• Report on progress at meetings and in writing.
• Assist in identifying and developing future research and funding initiatives.
• Engage in the dissemination of the research results.
• Collaborate with Prometric to maximise PR opportunities through DCU’s communications and marketing departments.
• Maintain an up-to-date research and professional profile on the CARPE website.
• Contribute constructively to the team-based ethos within CARPE.
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the Prometric Chair or the University.
• Liaise with both internal and external stakeholders, including Prometric.
• Carry out administrative work associated with the programme of research as necessary.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in education, in educational/organisational psychology or in a cognate discipline. Applications from candidates whose doctoral studies were focused on educational assessment are especially welcome.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential, while competence in research design and quantitative/qualitative data analysis are also required.
• The successful candidate will need to demonstrate that s/he has the interpersonal skills necessary for productive collaborations, as well as the ability to bring initiative and imagination to independent work.

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:

Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline

Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications

Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students

Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including the supervision of undergraduate students

Essential Training

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety and Data Protection (GDPR). Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

Salary Scale:

IUA Level 2 Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale, Point 1-3 - € 39,523 - € 41,940

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy

Closing date: Friday the 9th September 2022

For more information on DCU and benefits, please visit Why work at DCU?

Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:

Prof. Michael O'Leary, Prometric Chair in Assessment, Director of the Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education, Institute of Education.

Email : [email protected]

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Procedure:

Application forms are available from the DCU Current Vacancies website at

https://www.dcu.ie/hr/vacancies-current-vacancies-external-applicants

Applications should be submitted by e-mail with your completed application form to [email protected]

Please clearly state the role that you are applying for in your application and email subject line: #RF1631a Post-Doctoral Researcher Level 1 in Assessment

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer. In line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015, the University is committed to equality of treatment for all those who engage with its recruitment, selection and appointment processes. The University’s Athena SWAN Bronze Award signifies the University’s commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing any gender pay gaps. Information on a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available in the DCU Policy Starter Packs