Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

The role is available part-time at 0.6FTE but we welcome applications from candidates interested in working full-time as there may be opportunity to do so. The role is based on our Exeter St Lukes campus with the possibility of hybrid working; some from campus and some from home.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Professor Helen Dodd. This UKRI funded post is available for 3 years from 1/5/23 – 1/05/26. The successful applicant will provide support to the day-to-day running of a feasibility trial focused on a school-based play intervention and other research related to children’s play and mental health. The research is funded by a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Prof. Dodd. Flexible working is supported. There may be opportunity to undertake a PhD alongside this role, which can be discussed at interview for any candidates interested in this option. It may also be possible to hold the role as a full-time post, again to be discussed at interview.

The post will include building strong relationships with schools and the intervention team, organising the administration of research questionnaires and school-based observations, record keeping and data management, data analysis, literature searches, writing of results and drafting papers for publication. There may also be a requirement for travel to schools and to spend time in schools doing live coding. All expenses related to this would be paid.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants for the Graduate Research Assistant role will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Applicants for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Applicants will be able to successfully organise, handle and analyse data, be a diligent record keeper, build successful relationships, work well with children and school staff and have knowledge and experience of the research process.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

For further information please contact Helen Dodd, e-mail [email protected].

The closing date for completed applications is 6th April 2023.  Interviews are expected to take place week beginning 17/4/2023.