Research Assistant (Science of Learning In Education Centre, Office of Education Research) [NIE]

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Assistant on a 5-month contract at the Science of Learning in Education Centre, Office of Education Research (renewable).

Project Title:

"Peer Power 2.0: A Longitudinal Investigation of Students’ Peer Networks and

their Academic, Motivational, Social and Psychological Outcomes" (OER 30/22 ISC)

Project Introduction:

Social networks are webs of relationships that serve as means for individuals to have access to knowledge, resources, support and opportunities. In particular, peer networks play a significant role in influencing students’ behavior, dispositions, well-being, and academic performance, especially during secondary school years. Peer networks provide a context for knowledge sharing, which guides the formation of self-identity and emergence of group norms. The proposed study is a longitudinal investigation aiming to examine the interplay among friendship network dynamics and academic, motivational and socio-emotional outcomes of students attending mixed-ability (i.e., with different academic achievement levels) or similar-ability (i.e., with similar academic achievement levels) form classes. In particular, the proposed study aims to examine (1) how the students’ peer relationships change over four years in secondary school; (2) how such changes in peer relationships are associated with changes in student outcomes; and (3) how students facing the risk of social isolation can be supported. The study is framed in a unique situation that allows the comparison of peer relationships and related outcomes of  two groups of students: those from schools piloting a new education policy initiative that no longer segregates students into different academic courses and provides in-class opportunities for cross-ability interactions and those from schools that are streaming students into different academic courses and placing students with similar abilities and strengths (i.e., same academic course) in the same class. The study has important policy and practice implications as it provides insights into the potential benefits and challenges of introducing socialization structures at school.

Requirements for Research Assistant

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Data Science and Analytics, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences)
• Good organizational skills and able to work within tight deadlines
• Good interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in education and/or educational research
• Proficiency SPSS, Qualtrics and Microsoft Office
• Proficient in quantitative data analysis
• A strong team player who is also able to work independently and flexibly in a small team

Preferred

• Honours degree in relevant discipline(e.g., Data Science and Analytics, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences)
• Familiarity with social network analysis
• Degree in Data Science and Analytics
• Experience in working with teachers and students in Singapore schools
• Experience in doing qualitative data analysis
• With evidence of proficiency in academic writing
• Proficiency in R-based analysis

Responsibilities

• Coordinate data collection in schools
• Perform data processing and analysis  
• Contribute to writing research reports and publications
• Assist in preparing presentation materials
• Conduct literature searches and reviews
• Manage research data and keep up-to-date research records
• Assist in planning and executing tasks to achieve key deliverables
• Perform other assignments as determined by the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigators

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE