Research Assistant/Research Associate

The Department of Education is seeking a Research Associate with expertise in international student mobility (ISM) to join the Open Research Area (ORA) project ‘Virtual Mobilities of International Students: towards a new model for the internationalisation of higher education?’ (VIRMOBS).

VIRMOBS is an international comparative project led by Social Scientists in Canada, France and the UK. VIRMOBS examines the implications of virtual mobilities (namely forms of ISM where students enroll on online distance education programmes outside their home countries) for learning, cultural experience, social inclusion and the value of credentials. It asks: are virtual mobilities more sustainable, inclusive forms of ISM, or are they low-value alternatives likely to exacerbate existing inequalities? How do different national policy and regulatory contexts influence the shape and impact of virtual mobilities?

VIRMOBS will combine socio-history, quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the national, institutional and individual logics underpinning virtual mobilities in Canada, France and the UK. We will conduct documentary research, student surveys and interviews with staff and students in the three countries.

You will join the UK team and be based in the Department of Education at the University of Bath. You will contribute to all aspects of the project with a primary focus on the UK case. This will include conducting literature reviews and document analysis, designing the research instruments, setting up and conducting interviews and contributing to statistical and qualitative data analysis. You will collaborate with UK, France and Canada-based researchers, help manage and archive project data, present findings at national and international conferences and contribute to scholarly publications with the project team.

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis from the 01 May 2025 with an expected end date of 31 October 2027.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

About you 

You will have:

• A PhD in a social science discipline such as Sociology, Geography or Education (if you are applying for Research Associate level).
• Expertise in qualitative or mixed research methods.
• A good understanding of quantitative research methods.
• A very good knowledge of the literature on international student mobility and/or global educational inequalities.
• A good understanding of the UK Higher Education landscape and policy context.
• Demonstrated potential to publish in high quality, peer reviewed journals.
• An ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Proficiency in French is very desirable.

Further information

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Dr Aline Courtois via ac2630@bath.ac.uk 

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