Research Assistant at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

08 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

09 Apr, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Research assistance, Data collection, Data analysis, Workshop facilitation, Stakeholder engagement, Report writing, Communication skills, Interpersonal skills, Time management, Project planning, Accessibility testing, Presentation skills, Teamwork, Psychology, Visual impairment support

Industry

Higher Education

Description

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 Department Founded in 1952, the Department of Psychology is consistently ranked as one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Currently the department’s research falls within three groupings: Cognitive Neuroscience; Developmental Science; Quantitative Social Psychology. The department is extremely well-equipped for research, including cutting-edge facilities for psychophysiology, immersive virtual reality, TMS and EEG/ERP. Through collaborative links with the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre (NMRC), the department has also access to state-of-the-art functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) facilities. The department benefits from full IT and mechanical research support from an outstanding team of departmental technicians. The Role The 12-month fixed-term Research Assistant position is available 2.5 days per week (50%25 FTE). The successful candidate will join the project "Train the Trainer - Echolocation Habilitation Workforce Training with Guide Dogs UK” led by Professor Lore Thaler and funded by UKRI ESRC grant. The project focuses on training Guide Dog UK's workforce and assessing the effects of this training on the workforce and the effects on their clients (children and young people with sight loss and their families). To deliver the project the research team will travel on approximately 12 occasions to various locations in the UK to deliver training workshops. Costs of travel and accommodation will be covered by the project. Otherwise work times and location (including hybrid working) are flexible, subject to meeting project goals and deadlines. The habilitation workforce of Guide Dogs UK is the largest provider of services and support to children with sight loss and their families. This project will deliver training in echolocation to this workforce. There will be remote & initial in-person training to the whole workforce, and follow-up in-person training to develop Subject Matter Experts for continued independent support within the workforce. The project will measure and document effects of training on attendees’ practice and effects on service users (children with sight loss and their families). The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Lore Thaler. The successful candidate will assist with the delivery of training to teach echolocation and echolocation instruction to visual impairment habilitation workers and to people with vision impairments. Planned work includes delivery of in-person and remote training workshops, development of materials to gather feedback data (including online tools), accessibility testing of materials, data gathering, analysis and presentation of results, and engagement with stakeholders via workshops and email. The candidate will be based in the department of Psychology. The majority of training workshops will take place in-person at various locations in the UK, and there will also be workshops delivered online. The successful applicant does not need to have prior experience with echolocation, but should be willing to acquire relevant practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The successful applicant must have experience of working with diverse groups of people, ideally including people with vision impairments. The successful applicant will be able to create and maintain an excellent rapport with people of various walks of life, and have the ability to contribute to the organization and delivery of events such as workshops. For information about relevant research and activities, please see https://sites.google.com/view/humanecholocationlab/home The successful applicant will carry out a range of duties, including communicating with stakeholders and relevant organizations, planning workshops and assisting with delivery of workshops, developing materials to gather feedback data (including online tools), gathering feedback data, summarizing and presenting feedback data. Applicants should have an excellent academic record, be reliable and well organised, and the ability to have an excellent rapport with people of various walks of life, ideally including people with vision impairments. An academic qualification (BSc / MSc or equivalent) in psychology or a discipline related to psychology or visual impairment (re) habilitation is essential (current students in their final academic year may apply – please provide grades attained so far). Previous experience of working with people and organizing events is also essential. Because the post-holder will work with people with visual impairments, the appointment also depends on a successful DBS (formerly CRB) check. The post will provide excellent training, including opportunities to prepare data for publication and presenting results at conferences. While these are not requirements of the post, they are available for a post-holder who is looking to gain this experience. Responsibilities: · Contribute to planning and delivery of research projects, including training workshops, data collection and development of data collection tools (incl online). · To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications. · To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner. · To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives. · To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions. · To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration. · Work alongside other team members who are contributing towards the project. · To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. · To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline. · To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses. This post is fixed term for 12 months. The funding is available from 1st September 2026. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st September 2026. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: · You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. · We offer a generous pension scheme, and 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 ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. · We have 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. · We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. · Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. · Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). · We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. · You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. · Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. · If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for 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. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. 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. 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 Professor Lore Thaler: lore.thaler@durham.ac.uk 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). 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 A covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the essential criteria within the person specification of this job description. We will notify you on the status of 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 ensure you receive all emails. 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 normally include a presentation followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place early June. 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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University 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. Person Specification Essential Criteria: 1. A good first degree in a discipline related to psychology or visual impairment habilitation, current students in their final academic year may apply. 2. Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills. 3. Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods. 4. Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders. 5. Experience in working with and/or having excellent rapport with diverse groups of people. 6. Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team. 7. Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines. 8. Ability to contribute to development of data gathering tools (incl. online). 9. Ability to contribute to planning and delivery of events and workshops. 10. Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders. 11. Willingness and ability to learn practical and theoretical knowledge about echolocation. Desirable Criteria: 12. A MSC or PhD (or be close to submission) in a discipline related to psychology or visual impairment habilitation or visual impairment rehabilitation, current students in their final academic year may apply 13. Experience of conducting high quality academic research. 14. Experience of preparing academic papers. 15. Ability to contribute to the planning and management of independent research. 16. Theoretical and practical knowledge of echolocation. 17. Experience working with people with vision impairments. 18. Experience planning and delivering events or workshops. 19. Experience developing online data gathering tools. 20. Full UK driving licence

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will contribute to the planning and delivery of the 'Train the Trainer' project, including conducting training workshops and gathering feedback data. They will also assist in analyzing research results, developing data collection tools, and liaising with stakeholders to support project objectives.