Research Assistant

FTE: 1.0 fte (Working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term for a maximum of 18 months ending on the 31.03.2026

Salary: UH5 £27,181pa to £30,487pa by annual increments

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: de Havilland Campus, Hatfield

This is an opportunity to work as part of the UK team undertaking ground-breaking research on aesthetic and embodied learning for democracy. The UK research is an integral part of a three-year European project funded by Horizon Europe and UKRI – the AECED (Transforming Education for Democracy through Aesthetic and Embodied Learning, Responsive Pedagogies and Democracy-as-becoming) project. Our partners are University Aberta (Portugal), University of Lapland (Finland), Philipps University Marburg (Germany), Riga Technical University (Latvia) and University of Zagreb (Croatia).

Main duties and responsibilities

The Research Assistant will be part of the UK research team and their role will be to support the University of Hertfordshire’s work on the project during the research phase (data collection, data analysis), cross-case analysis, dissemination and exploitation of the results. The support that the Research Assistant gives will include liaising with education stakeholders, assisting with project administration, supporting the organisation of events, and contributing to data collection and data analysis. The Research Assistant will support the facilitation of sessions with participants, creation and uploading of resources to the project website, writing up of findings and dissemination of the project.

Skills and experience required

You will have demonstrable research experience at undergraduate level and experience in qualitative research methods; knowledge of the field of education and professional learning; the ability to assist with project administration, as well as the ability to plan and manage own activities effectively and to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality. A methodical approach and attention to detail and good communication skills (written and oral), and the ability to communicate in a variety of formats to different audiences is essential for this role. You will be flexible and adaptable to workload and team requirements; able to work effectively in a team, including in online meetings, and be able to demonstrate initiative and the ability to learn new skills.

Qualifications required

Educated with a minimum of a Degree (or equivalent level 6 qualification), or higher qualification or substantial proven experience.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Professor Philip Woods, Professor of Educational Policy, Democracy and Leadership (p.a.woods@herts.ac.uk); Professor Karen Mpamhanga, Professor of Higher Education and Professional Learning (k.mpamhanga@herts.ac.uk)

Interview Date: TBC

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts

Apply online via the ‘Apply’ button above.

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