Research Assistant, Mathematical Sciences

The Durham Research Methods Centre (DRMC)

The Durham Research Methods Centre (DRMC) was established as a university-wide platform for training and research in research methods, particularly in advanced quantitative methods and mixed methods. Our vision is to promote the understanding and application of research methods, from traditional to state-of-the-art techniques, using innovative approaches, exploiting a range of data sources, to enable academics and post-graduate students at Durham to lead the way in producing world-changing research. In collaboration with the Department of Mathematical Sciences, the DRMC operates the Durham Biostatistics Unit (DBU). The unit collaborates with neighbouring NHS Trusts and our regional Research Design Service-Northeast, working with clinicians and academic colleagues to develop grant applications in health research. The scope of the unit is beyond purely applied and consultative aspects, with an explicit focus on the development of new methodology for the design and analysis of clinical trials and the evaluation of health and education interventions.

The Role

A Research Assistant in Statistics (full time 1.0 FTE, fixed term appointment, initially from 01 March 2023 until February 2024) is required, with the main purpose to work on a research project funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) led by Professor Jochen Einbeck at Durham University. This project undertakes methodological research to support evaluation, synthesis and translation of evidence to improve the educational attainments of disadvantaged children in England. Working within a team developing evidence of educational interventions, the successful candidate will develop software for the wider research community and undertake analysis of impact on pupil progress using the Education Endowment Foundation's archive of educational trials and National Pupil Database (NPD).

The successful candidate will make particular contribution to the statistical analysis. The successful candidate will be required to help, devise and implement analysis of randomised controlled trials using data from the NPD, as well as other analysis to inform other work being funded by the EEF. These analyses will form an important element of the team's and EEF's contribution to the evidence for what works in education. The successful applicant will have opportunity to contribute to important methodological work that will inform both the work of the Education Endowment Foundation and Durham Research Methods Centre.

The post is based in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Science at Durham University. The role will involve collaboration across the research team and with partner organisations.

The EEF project will close in end of February 2024, therefore this is a fixed term contract. However, there will be the possibility of extending for a further 6 months, pending approval and funding, to support other fixed-term projects of the Biostatistics unit as assigned by the (Co-)Directors of the unit. The extension is not guaranteed.

The RA will also be expected, during the entire runtime, to contribute to the organisation of events, workshops, etc, or take on other reasonable tasks where required.