Research Assistant

Contract type: Fixed-term until 30^th June 2025

Location: Sheffield (Hybrid)

We have an exciting opportunity in the School of Psychology for an enthusiastic Research Assistant. You will work with Dr Emma Blakey on a project funded by the Educational Endowment Foundation.

This particular position will involve joining an extended team connecting the University of Sheffield with the University of Oxford and our national / international collaborators, to deliver the intervention as part of a large scale randomised controlled trial. This RCT will evaluate the effectiveness of the programme in improving young children’s mathematics outcomes, with a particular focus on economically disadvantaged children.

We have developed a preschool-based intervention geared to improving preschoolers’ executive and numeracy skills. The intervention strives to improve the foundations of early numeracy, by working in collaboration with early years education practitioners and leveraging informal educational opportunities in the classroom. This particular position will involve joining an extended team connecting the University of Sheffield with the University of Oxford and our national / international collaborators, to deliver the intervention as part of a large scale randomised controlled trial.

Experience working in nurseries and on early education research is crucial. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle your own research and administrative activities, as well as working as part of a team. The post-holder will be involved in all aspects of the research project, with a strong focus on communicating with nurseries around the UK, intervention delivery in the nurseries that have signed up, presenting to teachers, qualitative / quantitative data collection and knowledge exchange activities.

As this post will involve travel to nurseries around the UK, this would be facilitated by having access to own reliable transport.

What we offer:

• 38 days annual leave (including closure days and Bank Holidays), with the possibility to purchase up to ten additional days.
• Up to 5 days of paid time off to cover emergency caring responsibilities.
• A commitment to work life balance including, flexible working opportunities and hybrid working where possible.
• A highly competitive pension scheme.
• Discounts at participating shops and cinemas, and a cycle to work scheme.
• A commitment to your development, with programmes, learning modules and mentoring schemes.
• An inclusive and diverse workplace.
• A commitment to your wellbeing, with confidential emotional support, support for those going through the menopause, experiencing fertility treatment and having a baby, paid leave for IVF treatment and more.

Further information can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits

We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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