Research Assistant

Are you an excellent researcher in higher education, particularly in pedagogic research-intensive, and/or in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Business (STEMMB) disciplinary contexts? Would you like to contribute to an ambitious programme of work aimed at establishing Imperial College London as a global leader in innovative, evidence-based education? If so, then this exciting and challenging opportunity could be the...

Are you an excellent researcher in higher education, particularly in pedagogic research-intensive, and/or in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Business (STEMMB) disciplinary contexts? Would you like to contribute to an ambitious programme of work aimed at establishing Imperial College London as a global leader in innovative, evidence-based education? If so, then this exciting and challenging opportunity could be the ideal next step in your career.

The Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship (CHERS) at Imperial College London has an exciting new opportunity for a Research Assistant to join a team working on a President’s Excellence Fund project, aimed at enhancing and supporting student learning and wellbeing at the University.

This is an exciting post which will enable a qualitative researcher, with a keen interest in exploring and enhancing student study strategies and wellbeing within the UK Higher Education sector, to contribute to the work being undertaken at Imperial. As part of the new President’s Excellence Fund project: Fostering Educational Diversity and Inclusivity: Enhancing Student Wellbeing through the Science of Happiness, you will contribute significantly to the literature review, data collection, analysis and communication with colleagues across student support services to map out the various study and wellbeing support resources across the College. Given the project is also focused on specific pedagogical outputs, you will liaise with students and staff across departments to develop a range of evidence-based resources, informed by the results of the project, to support students at Imperial. This project will contribute to the support of student wellbeing and the learning process, developing a sense of belonging to the academic community

The focus of this post will be:

• To liaise with colleagues from wider College departments, such as the Student Union, Library Services, Student Services, and the EDI team on matters related to student study and wellbeing.
• To contribute to the review and summaries of relevant educational, sociological, and psychological literature for the project.
• To lead on the mapping of current resources and expertise around student study skills/strategies and wellbeing.
• To undertake participant recruitment and data collection.
• To analyse and interpret qualitative data, making use of appropriate qualitative research methods and techniques (e.g., NVivo 12).
• To report and present information to the project team, including production of short findings reports.
• To keep accurate and up-to-date records of activities relating to the project.
• To contribute to the promotion and dissemination of the project and its pedagogical outputs across the College and in external conference presentations.
• To comply with University policies relating to health and safety, equality of opportunity and data management.

The Research Assistant will have a postgraduate qualification in a relevant social sciences field (e.g., education, educational psychology, sociology) or appropriate equivalent experience and should be motivated, well organised and able to work independently and as part of a team. They should have excellent communication skills and good qualitative research skills.

Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Dr Tiffany Chiu ([email protected] ) and Dr Richard Bale ([email protected] )

The College is currently trialling a Work Location Framework until early 2023.  Hybrid working may be considered for this role and the role holder may be expected to work 60% or more of their time onsite, with 40% the minimum time spent onsite.  The opportunity for hybrid working will be discussed at interview.