Research Assistant/Research Associate

Unit: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Salary: £27,924 to £36,382 per annum commensurate with experience and qualification, pro rata

Location: Homeworker but with some expectation to travel to events

Please quote reference: 19370

Terms: Fixed term contract for 3 months 1 March 2022 to 31 May 2022. Part time considered; Full time preferred

Closing Date: 2 February 2022, 12:00 noon

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

The role is part of an externally-funded project called ‘Walking the Walk’. This project seeks to empower grassroots ethnic minority community groups with an equality, diversity and inclusivity focus to lead their own journeys into appreciating and understanding the Earth and environmental science behind natural spaces. Through this project, we will empower existing community leaders to share that knowledge with their audiences.

The aim of the project is to co-design and test approaches to bring informal environmental science learning directly to walking group leaders trying to make the UK countryside a more inclusive environment for all to enjoy.

The appointed person will work with a team of scientists from the School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences and grassroots community groups to identify and deconstruct barriers to accessing nature through developing and road testing flexible and adaptable activities. 

You will contribute to the design of, and then conduct, evaluation methods to explore the perspectives of different participants in the ‘Walking the Walk’ project. Under supervision they will analyse the resulting data assess the relative benefits of the approaches and resources to these communities, and contribute to the writing of the project report.

The post is a fixed term full time position to start from 1 March 2022 for three months. Part-time working will be considered but the role cannot run beyond 31 May 2022. The post holder must be able and willing to travel to the South coast of England, the Chilterns, the Peak District and Cumbria, and must be comfortable with occasional outdoor and weekend work.

Skills and experience

• Experience of research design, specifically of social science data gathering methods in the context of evaluation.
• Experience in analysing qualitative and quantitative data, specifically in drawing insights from mixed methods.
• Demonstrable evidence of communication with diverse stakeholders and in communicating via a range of media and genres
• A strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity

The full summary of duties and person specification can be found within the Job Description.

If you would like to discuss this role before applying, please email [email protected] .

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please email [email protected] or contact Donna Elstob at [email protected] .

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holiday closure days. 

How to apply

For further information on how to apply please visit the posting on the OU jobs page:

Research Assistant/Research Associate | Employment (open.ac.uk)

Closing date: 2 February 2022

Interviews: expected to take place on 11 February 2022

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all our staff can reach their potential and attract diverse candidates. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. 

We offer a range of inclusive employment policies which include family and carer friendly flexible working arrangements, and have many supportive staff networks and wellbeing services. We also endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.