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Applications are invited for the above temporary full-time post working in the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences on a project funded by the Nuffield Foundation. This project, in collaboration with Leeds Trinity University and the University of Oxford will test the effectiveness of a literacy programme, RILL (see: https://www.rillresearch.org/rill-uk), delivered by teaching assistants in schools across England and Wales.

Duties for this role will be to lead on data storage, management and analysis in collaboration with the senior researchers. This individual will also produce publications and reports for academic and non-academic audiences, and will lead/assist in activities relating to social media, communication with the public, and open science practices. We will invite the successful applicant to also collaborate on ongoing publications beyond the advertised project.

Candidates should possess a PhD, or near completion, in Psychology (or equivalent) or a closely related discipline (e.g. education or linguistics) and have previous experience of analysing large data sets using appropriate methods, i.e., structural equational modelling. A background in working with large data sets in R or Stata is essential. Some experience with MPlus and a background in conducting language and literacy research would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 1st April 2023 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and the post is available for a period of 12 months.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Dr Manon Jones, Senior Lecturer, e-mail: [email protected].

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

College of Human Sciences

The successful applicant will be a Research Officer within the College of Human Sciences.

School of Human and Behavioural Sciences / Miles Dyslexia Centre.

The School of HBS has a long-standing reputation for expertise in Psychology research, including reading and dyslexia via the internationally renowned MDC.

The Project

The RILL project (RILL: www.rillresearch.org) is designed and run by a team of researchers and teachers, led by Dr. Manon Jones at the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, and the Miles Dyslexia Centre (www.dyslexia.bangor.ac.uk), Bangor University, Dr. Cameron Downing at Leeds Trinity University, and Professor Charles Hulme at the University of Oxford. It comprises a short, evidence-based language and literacy programme for Key Stage 2 children learning one-to-one, and was launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting national lockdown in April 2020. RILL is delivered digitally – either remotely, or in the classroom. Our mission is to ensure that children can continue to receive the best possible literacy tuition during school closures, and to rapidly regain literacy skills now that schools have reopened. This post is part of a Nuffield Foundation funded grant, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of RILL in improving children’s language and literacy skills via a randomised control trial study.

Purpose of the Job

The post is part of an established team working in the area of child literacy development. The post holder will be primarily responsible for managing all aspects of the data: from storage and management to data analysis. We also expect this individual to write / contribute to academic outputs and other documents communicating findings to the public / policy makers and to lead on social media and communications. The post holder may also take part in other activities, projects and publications relating to the ongoing projects, in consultation with the grant holders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Appropriate use of software for data storage and management, demonstrating knowledge of GDPR and ensuring that data is secure.
Expertise in appropriate data analysis methods, i.e., structural equational modelling including knowledge of software such as Stata or R and MPlus.
Excellent communication skills for translating data into comprehensive reports for (a) the research team (b) academic articles (c) public communication, i.e., for websites, policy documents, and so on.
Contribute to article and report writing.
Be in very regular contact with the larger research group to update on progress, trouble shoot problems and so on.
Other duties and responsibilities specific to the role include advising and collaborating with Masters’ and PhD students within the research programme, contribute to the undergraduate programme third year dissertation supervision, actively participate in specific College activities such as HBS seminars etc., gain external funding.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.

• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

PhD, or near completion, in Psychology (or equivalent) or a closely related discipline (e.g. education or linguistics) with experience relevant to the role.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

Experience in collecting, managing and analysing large data sets with multiple time points using appropriate software and cutting edge expertise.
Experience of writing and publishing academic articles.
Experience of presenting academic work to academic and non-academic audiences.

Desirable

Managing a school-related project.
Good knowledge of social media and advertising work via such channels.
Experience of literacy and language, preferably relating to language or development.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written skills.
Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area and the ensuing responsibilities.

Desirable

Demonstrate excellent interpersonal confidence in speaking with educational practitioners.
Demonstrate proven project management skills.
Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

All candidates must meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ requirements *** If you require Home Office permission to work in the UK, or need to switch your visa status in order to take this job we recommend you use the following link to information about the routes into employment and to check eligibility requirements: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Please note that we are unable to employ anyone who does not have the right to live and work in the UK legally. When applying for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will be able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.

Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.