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Research Associate (Part Time, Fixed Term)

  • Job
    Full-time
    Entry Level
  • Research & Development
    Education & Teaching
  • Cambridge
    Remote

AI generated summary

  • You need a doctoral degree, relevant experience in UK education, qualitative data skills, knowledge of STEM/geography education, and strong communication and organizational abilities.
  • You will lead qualitative data collection and analysis, conduct online interviews, observe schools, and collaborate with educators to support inclusive STEM and geography curriculum development.

Requirements

  • To be considered as a Research Associate, you will need:
  • A doctoral degree in a relevant subject, such as education or social research, by the time of appointment
  • Previous experience in teaching, research, consultancy, or related work within the UK's formal education sector
  • Experience of qualitative data collection and analysis
  • Experience in STEM and/or geography education contexts
  • An understanding of UK educational policy, including teacher education and professional practice
  • Knowledge of STEM and/or geography education scholarship and practice
  • The ability to work independently and collaboratively, meeting deadlines with strong attention to detail
  • Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • The willingness to travel across England for school-based data collection

Responsibilities

  • As a Research Associate, you will provide research support for the ESRC-funded project, Decolonising STEM and geography education in secondary schools: exploring agency and curriculum-making across England and Scotland.
  • This research initiative will empower teachers to challenge preconceptions across STEM and geography curricula to support more inclusive learning.
  • Resources and teaching methods will be developed, and educators will be supported to integrate diverse perspectives, confront bias, and move beyond a neutral scientific view to acknowledge historical context.
  • Specifically, your role will involve leading qualitative data collection and analysis across different phases of the project, including online interviews with STEM and geography educators, school-based observations, and interviews.
  • Collaborating across online workshops, you will work closely with educators and schools to support high-quality, ethically robust data collection.

FAQs

What is the duration of the fixed-term contract for the Research Associate position?

The fixed-term contract is from 1st April 2026 until 31st May 2027.

What is the part-time working arrangement for this role?

The role is offered on a part-time basis at 0.5 FTE.

What are the salary range and benefits for the Research Associate position?

The salary range is £37,694-£46,049 per annum (pro rata), and benefits include generous annual leave, maternity and parental leave, a pension scheme, counselling services, travel benefits, and development opportunities.

What qualifications are required to apply for this position?

A doctoral degree in a relevant subject, such as education or social research, is required by the time of appointment.

Is experience in the formal education sector required for this role?

Yes, previous experience in teaching, research, consultancy, or related work within the UK’s formal education sector is required.

What specific research activities will the Research Associate be involved in?

The Research Associate will lead qualitative data collection and analysis, conduct online interviews with educators, perform school-based observations, and collaborate on online workshops to support the research project.

Is travel required for this role?

Yes, the role requires the willingness to travel across England for school-based data collection.

Who can I contact for informal enquiries about the position?

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Haira Gandolfi via heg38@cam.ac.uk.

What is the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check mentioned in the job description?

The Enhanced DBS check is a background check required for individuals working with vulnerable populations, ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable adults in educational settings.

How does the University of Cambridge promote equality and diversity in its hiring process?

The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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The University of Cambridge is one of the world's foremost research universities. The University is made up of 31 Colleges and over 150 departments, faculties, schools and other institutions. Its mission is 'to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence'​.