Research Associate in the Evaluation of an Early Years Language Programme

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department

The School represents an environment that is conducive to producing research of world-leading quality and enabling outstanding impact, in terms of its vitality and sustainability. This is evidenced by the fact that, for instance, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2021), 86.7% of the publications produced by colleagues at the School of Education was considered world leading or internationally excellent in terms of their rigour, significance and originality. At the same time research conducted at the School of Education has a strong impact beyond academia as it changes or benefits the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life (100% of impact case studies submitted to REF 2021 were considered outstanding in terms of their reach and significance).

The School of Education is committed to research-led teaching and diversity in approaches to accommodate needs and potential of student learners. Our current portfolio of teaching ranges from undergraduate programmes (a BA in Education Studies and a BA in Primary Education), through Postgraduate Taught Masters pathways (from MAEd to MA Research Methods) to Postgraduate Research. Overall, we are ranked 2nd in the Complete University Guide, and have a top 100 ranking in both the QS and THE 2023 World University Rankings by subject.

For more information, please visit our School pages at School of Education - Durham University

The Role

Applications are invited for a Research Associate to work on the evaluation of a language intervention programme, the Early Years Conversation Project (EYCP).

EYCP is a professional development (PD) programme developed and delivered by Sheringham Nursery School and East London Research School. The PD programme is designed to support early years/nursery staff with developing understanding and practical strategies to enhance children’s communication and language skills.

This research is an evaluation project where we are aiming to work with around 112 early years settings in North and East London in 2023 and 2024. The evaluation design is a randomised waitlist-controlled efficacy trial to investigate the impacts of the EYCP PD programme has on nursery practitioners and on children in the setting.

For more information about the EYCP programme and the efficacy trial, please visit the EYCP trial website at Early Years Conversation Project (2022/23 trial) | EEF (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk).

The successful applicant will be expected to manage the delivery of the evaluation research project, under the supervision of the Principal Investigators, Dr Xiaofei Qi and Victoria Menizes. The collaborative project is working with colleagues from across the School of Education and Mathematical Science at Durham University and with the EYCP programme developers based at Sheringham Nursery School and East London Research School. The project will also work closely with the funder, the Education Endowment Foundation.

Responsibilities:

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year – please include or delete if not applicable.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Xiaofei Qi xiaofei.qi@durham.ac.uk, and/or Vic Menzies, victoria.menzies@durham.ac.uk. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
• A table included as an appendix to the cover letter providing detailed examples of your experience, strengths and potential against each of the essential and desirable criteria. Please note that applications without the table included will not be considered.

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will include a series of short tasks and a panel interview.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Note: Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: DBS check will be needed when the research assistant is in post.