Research Assistant (0.8 FTE) - Activating Social Empathy (ASE) in…

Updated: about 1 year ago
Location: NUIG, CONNAUGHT
Deadline: 10 Feb 2023

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a Fixed Term Part-Time (0.8 FTE) position as a Research Assistant with the UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre at the University of Galway.

This position is funded by the University of Galway in collaboration with the Irish American Partnership.  The position is available from the 12th March 2023 for a period of 12 months.

Project:

The Activating Social Empathy Project aims to address empathy as a foundational social skill with important implications for how people behave towards one another and how they respond to societal challenges at a local and global level. ASE is a resource for teachers working with secondary school students. The ASE programme was initially rolled out in 2020 at schools across Ireland, the first large scale initiative to introduce empathy education designed to enable students to develop skills in understanding and practising empathy.

Further Information on this Project and the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre can be found here: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/cfrc/

Job Description: 

The successful candidate will primarily undertake research-based activities on the Activating Social Empathy Education Project, under the leadership of the UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic engagement.

Duties:

  • Monitor research and support secondary schools and communities implementing the Activating Social Empathy Programme of Research.
  • Complete qualitative research with the Fred Rodgers Institute on Empathy Evidence from Research.
  • Support the UNESCO Chair’s Youth as Researchers National and International programmes.
  • Conduct a literature review on empathy and compassion in secondary schools – Ire/UK/US
  • Provide input into the research project’s dissemination plan as directed by the principal investigator.
  • Provide information on research progress and outcomes to the relevant research project teams.
  • Review and update the UCFRC contact database.
  • Attend relevant meetings/conferences and training programmes.
  • Other duties required by the UCFRC and UNESCO Chair.

Qualifications/Skills required:  

Essential Requirements:

  • At a minimum, BA in children’s studies, sociology, psychology, education, or a related discipline.
  • A thorough understanding of child development and youth participation.
  • Experience of working on Empathy Education programmes.
  • Capable of independent research at research assistant level.
  • Demonstrated ability to help support the management of a research project of this nature and scope.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to work to deadlines, especially in the collaborative production of research deliverables.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Desirable Requirements:

  • Experience in youth work and / or education settings.
  • Experience of and ability to work as part of a team.
  • Experience of working with children and youth through the methodology of creative arts.
  • Ability to undertake research tasks independently when required.

Employment permit restrictions apply for this category of post

Salary: Research Assistant Scale Point 1 €28,701 per annum (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply.

Start date: The position is available from 12th March 2023

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE  for further information

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about UNESCO is available at UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Professor Pat Dolan [email protected]

NB: Garda vetting is a requirement for this post (as appropriate to Child Protection Policy)

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to [email protected]

Please put reference number University of Galway 022-23 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm on the 10th February 2023

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

The University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment



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