Research Assistant

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a Research Assistant to join the School of Social Sciences next year 2025.

We have the opportunity for a Research Assistant to support community research (interviews and focus groups) within a project on local digital democracy, exploring the role of digital technology in civic engagement.

‘Evaluating civic technologies for local political engagement’ is an ESRC Digital Research Fund project based at Birkbeck. We ask whether and under what conditions civic tech tools, such as apps for contacting councillors and MPs, can foster public inclusion.

The project combines evidence from a survey experiment and a community-based qualitative study at a local library, to learn more from people’s interactions with these technologies, including those who are less likely to be online.

The role of the Research Assistant is to support the community study component, including planning, recruitment, conducting interviews and focus groups alongside the PI.

This opportunity would build on experience such as:- Qualitative research, specifically interviews and focus groups (essential)- Expertise in community research approaches (desirable)- Managing complex research projects (essential)- Excellent communication abilities, particularly in engaging diverse audiences with sensitivity and empathy (essential)- Substantive research in digital civics, tech for good and similar (desirable).

Remuneration
£11,413 rising to £12,980 per annum (actual) pro-rated. Full Time Equivalent- £38,043 rising to £43,265 per annum - Grade 6 of the College's London Pay Scale.

Birkbeck offers a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements and some of the most generous benefits in the HE sector, all while being located right in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, Central London.

Terms and Conditions
Fixed-term February to May 2025, part-time contract at 0.3 FTE, 10-12 hours per week. Please submit a CV for consideration. Closing date: Sunday 1 December 2024. Interview date: Monday 9 December 2024.

Enquiries
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Laszlo Horvath, project lead, at L.Horvath@bbk.ac.uk.

If you have technical issues or difficulties using the recruitment portal please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk, providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award, membership of WISE, operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.

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