BEA Research Intern Scheme

About Us

London South Bank University (LSBU) is a modern, dynamic university with a long history of leading the way in applied education and practice-led learning. With over 17000 students and 2000 staff from over 130 countries, we work together to foster the development of graduates, ready to address business and societal challenges.

Our fantastic campus in central London is based around the historic, vibrant, and unique Elephant and Castle in the best student city in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2023). We also have specialist health campuses in Croydon and Havering.

We are highly commended as an Outstanding Entrepreneurial University (Times Higher Awards, 2022) and ranked fifth in the world for Reducing Inequality (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2022). We are proud that our graduates are the highest paid amongst all London modern universities one year after completing their course (LEO, 2022).

About the School of Built Environment and Architecture

The School has over 3000 students and 80 staff members, making it one of the UK’s largest schools of the built environment. It covers all subject areas concerning the design, development and operation of all the items which make up the built environment. Courses are industry-relevant and are at the cutting edge of each of the subjects. They are accredited by the relevant professional institutions to the highest possible level. BEA is a pioneering leader in delivering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in architecture and built environment subjects.

The output, quality and real-world impact of BEA research has been growing with academic staff gathering indicators of eminence at national and international levels. The School’s research profile has been growing through the work of the Centre for Civil and Buildings Services Engineering and Centre for Integrated Delivery of the Built Environment.

The School has strong links to industry, it is the preferred provider of education for almost 200 employers and undertakes enterprise and knowledge transfer projects with corporate partners.

Working for us

Turning passion into purpose Our ambition is to create educational pathways that empower people of all backgrounds and talents to realise their aspirations, add to the knowledge base, and contribute their skills and drive to wider society.

To realise our ambition, we need people with energy, courage, and imagination, who are enthused by our vision and recognise our values as theirs; people who bring ideas to enrich our approach to learning, research and innovation; collaborative people who love creating and spreading knowledge; brilliant people who seek growth and yearn to make a positive, personal difference.

At LSBU, you will get to contribute to a vibrant and dynamic culture, which is fuelled by purpose, built around people, and is genuinely diverse. You will be trusted and recognised for your unique contribution.

You will be part of a great team, turning your passion into purpose.

Job Description

Grade: Research Intern – Four Positions

Reporting to one of the following managers: James Bishop, Ioana Petkova, Aaron Gillich, Maria Mavroulidou.

Line Management: James Bishop, Ioana Petkova, Aaron Gillich, Maria Mavroulidou.

Key Responsibilities

1. Work as part of a research team looking at the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in Construction Management education;

2. Produce literature review on GAI and related technologies in construction management education;

3. Select appropriate primary data collection method(s) and design their instruments;

4. Conduct data collection and analysis (quantitative and qualitative);

5. Produce a conference/journal paper and present it at suitable event (internal and/or external)

Person specification / Selection criteria

A. A Masters Degree or above in a science-related discipline;

B. Familiar with literature review strategy as well as experience in analysing information from a variety of sources critically, including academic journal papers;

C. Knowledge in selecting research methods and experienced in collecting primary data, including conducting survey on MS Teams, with phone calls, and/or using online survey portals;

D. Knowledge and experience in analysing research data, both quantitatively and qualitatively, with proficiency in using relevant tools such as SPSS, NVIVO;

E. Ability to work in a team environment; F. Good written and verbal communication skills.

Behavioural Framework

Student and Service Orientated

Providing students and stakeholders with a great service is fundamental to all our work. For leaders, it is about having a mindset of seeking out feedback and complaints and seeing them as excellent opportunities to improve. Coupled with the skills to build systems and processes, and to resolve conflicts or disagreements.

Seeing the Big Picture

For LSBU, seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with - and supports - organisational objectives and the wider Corporate Plan. For leaders, it is about scanning the internal and external HE/FE context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long term implementation strategies – which maximise opportunities to add value to students and support sustainable growth.

Taking Ownership

In our organisation, taking ownership is rooted in taking responsibility for the tasks and duties of your role. For leaders it is about ensuring that accountability is role modelled within their own teams, holding others to account, enabling trusting and constructive relationships, making effective decisions, understanding delegation, and encouraging staff development.

Inclusive Working

LSBU is a diverse organisation in a diverse community. We focus on inclusive working to ensure all voices are heard and all staff understand the value of contributions which others bring, both inside and outside of their teams. For leaders it is about actively demonstrating how they listen to and acknowledge all contributions and viewpoints.

Outcome Focused

It is crucial for us to deliver an excellent experience for students and customers, so we want staff who can seek out and implement solutions - balancing quality, effectiveness, and outlay. For leaders, it is about building a performance culture where staff are given space, authority, and support to deliver outcomes. It’s also about keeping a firm focus on priorities and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly and in a timely manner.

Changing and Improving

We want to work in smarter, more focused ways, so look for staff open to learning from what has worked - as well as what has not worked – and who are open to change and improvement. For leaders, this is about creating and encouraging a culture of innovation - and allowing people to consider and take informed decisions. It means continuously seeking out ways to improve the student/ customer experience and build a leaner, more flexible, and responsive LSBU. This includes alternative delivery models such as digital, shared service approaches and hybrid learning

Leading and Communicating

We want people who show a pride and passion for the student experience or support service – who can communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. It’s about championing our values internally and externally. For leaders, it is about being visible, establishing clear direction and a persuasive future vision - managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful, and candid way

Applicant Guidance

Please state the post title and reference number clearly on both your CV and covering letter. Please address all the selection criteria in your covering letter, ensuring it is no more than 2 pages. The Behavioural Framework criteria outlines how we carry out what we do, so please reflect your behaviours and approach within your responses to the skills and experience required within the person specification rather than addressing them as separate criteria. You will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received.

Pay & Benefits

Grade and Salary: London Living Wage at £13.85 per hour.

Contract type: Part-time Hours of Work and Working Pattern:

The internship is funded for a maximum of 95 hours total, between 22nd February 2025 and 22nd July 2025. International students are welcome to participate but may not work for more than 20 hours per week. For details of annual leave entitlements, pension, professional development opportunities and our other great benefits, please visit the LSBU employee benefits page.

International Applicants

At LSBU our many international staff and students are a valued part of our vibrant and diverse community and play a vital role in the future of the University. We welcome international applicants who have the right to work in the UK or who are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route (SWR), or the Tier 5 Government Authorised Exchange Route. The University may also be able to provide a supporting letter to those meeting the requirements of the Global Talent Visa.

Please be advised that currently LSBU will only support the Certificate of Sponsorship for any eligible sponsored visas and will not support the payment of the sponsored visa for the offered candidate and/or dependants.

We strongly recommend that you consult the Apply for a UK visa section of the Home Office webpages to determine your eligibility for a UK visa.

This role is eligible for sponsorship under the UKVI Skilled Worker route and has been mapped to SOC 2150 Research and development managers. Any successful candidate requiring sponsorship would also need to meet the minimum number of points under the Skilled Worker route.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The diversity of LSBU’s staff and students is a source of our strength and the richness of ideas and perspectives that this diversity brings makes LSBU a truly unique place to work.

We are happy to talk flexible working and reasonable adjustments. We aim to make our recruitment and selection process accessible to all, please contact us to discuss any support you need.

We look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest