Senior Research Fellow

Contract: 3 years, fixed term contract, Full time

Salary: Grade 8, £43,434 to £51,798 per annum

Location: Putteridge Bury Campus

Closing date: 30th November 2021

Interview date: 10th December 2021

We wish to appoint an experienced researcher to work on a pioneering new project “Enhancing Pragmatic Language skills for Young children with Social communication difficulties” (E-PLAYS) funded by the National Institute for Health Research. Dr Suzanne Murphy from the University of Bedfordshire is leading the research together with a team from Essex University, York University and the Open University.

The pandemic has severely affected children’s language and communication skills as well as their peer relations. E-PLAYS aims to develop children’s communicative, collaborative and social skills through use of an innovative and fun computer game. The project will test the E-PLAYS programme on over 500 young children (ages 5-7) in around 80 schools.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in developmental psychology or a health- related topic, with an interest in the field of children’s language and social skills. They should possess strong quantitative and qualitative skills and an understanding of how to conduct and evaluate complex interventions with young children in schools.

The post holder will need to establish effective collaborations with school leaders, teachers, parents and teaching assistants to ensure successful delivery of the E-PLAYS programme in primary schools. Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills will be essential.

The role will primarily involve managing the day-to-day running of the project liaising with the research team across different sites and supervising research staff.  A further key task will publicising the study to the general public and to professionals. Expertise in qualitative data analysis is desirable.  Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, including schools, charitable organisations, public involvement representatives, and research teams is welcomed.

The successful candidate will be joining the Institute for Health Research which is an international centre for research excellence; 100% of our research is “internationally excellent” in impact and 73% of our research outputs are 3* or 4* - “internationally excellent or world leading” - Research Excellence Framework 2014.

Informal enquiries can be made to:

Dr Suzanne Murphy, Principal Research Fellow, University of Bedfordshire, [email protected]  

Interviews will be held on 10th December 2021

For a full job description and person specification please click here

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity and values the diversity of all its workforce and student population.

To apply:

Please quote reference number and job title. Please note CVs will only be accepted in addition to a fully completed application form.

All applications must be received by midnight on the closing date. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.