Research Fellow, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

JOB PURPOSE:

To be an active member of the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, assisting in the planning and delivery of research activity in
relation to the Wellbeing in Schools (WiSe) longitudinal study so that the overall research objectives of the project are met.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Undertake basic research activities that may include fieldwork, data preparation and coding, data cleaning, database
management, library research, critical review and interpretation, in consultation with Principal Investigator and the wider team.
2. Undertake analysis of WiSe data, using appropriate software (e.g. Stata, SPSS).
3. Develop and consolidate research capacity in the development and analysis of longitudinal research, including reading
academic papers and textbooks and keeping abreast of developments in school based wellbeing and related disciplines.
4. Establish and build networks with external colleagues in agencies and organisations whose work is relevant to the Wellbeing in
Schools programme of work.
5. Help to generate research income through development of research proposals.
6. Organise events to disseminate research findings to a broad audience.
7. Prepare material for publication in national and international journals, presentations at international conferences, press releases and social media sites.
8. Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with CESI. These might include organisation of project meetings and associated documentation.
9. Other specific duties as allocated by the Director of CESI.

Planning and Organising:
1. Plan for and set research objectives from 1-6 months in advance.
2. Plan for the use of research resources as appropriate.
3. Prepare research proposals for submission for external funding.
4. Plan own day to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme.
5. Plan up to 6 months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
6. Meet regularly with designated line manager to discuss and monitor progress in relation to goals and targets.

Resource Management Responsibilities:
1. Manage own research and administrative demands under supervision of the Principal Investigator.
2. Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner.
3. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
4. Assist in the development of skills and competence in others.

Internal and External Relationships:
1. Collaborate with other staff within the Centre and across the university where directed, or as opportunities arise, to further the work of CESI.
2. Play an active role in building capacity within CESI.
3. Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
4. Create external networks involving schools, policymakers, service providers and organisations with an interest in wellbeing in schools.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

1. An upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) or a Masters degree in social science, statistics or other relevant discipline.
2. Have or be about to obtain a PhD in a relevant subject.
3. Three years relevant research experience working in education or the social or health sciences.
4. Experience of undertaking advanced multivariate statistical analysis and of the design and analysis of longitudinal studies.
5. Experience of communicating research to lay audiences.
6. Experience of carrying out research in a school environment.
7. Ability to develop a high quality publications record.
8. Ability to successfully attract external research funding.
9. Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes.
10. Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by links with stakeholders such schools and policy makers.
11. Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the design and analysis of longitudinal and of wider research methods and techniques to work within the Wellbeing in Schools research programme.
12. Willingness to undertake additional training in statistics/research methods and other related skills as required.
13. Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
14. Evidence of a high standard of report writing skills.
15. Ability to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
16. Demonstrable intellectual ability.
17. Ability to assess and organise resources.
18. Evidence of being able to work flexibly and to meet deadlines.
19. Willingness to work as part of a team.
20. Willingness to travel around Northern Ireland and outside of Northern Ireland as required.
21. Current valid driving licence and access to a car or ability to fulfil the mobility requirements of the post.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

1. A PhD that focuses on longitudinal analysis or statistical methodology appropriate to longitudinal analysis.
2. Experience of inter-disciplinary working.
3. A record of successfully attracting external research funding.
4. Experience of managing research projects and supervising research staff.
5. Experience of writing reports to external funders.
6. Experience of successfully organising events.
7. At least two years of relevant experience working on a funded research project in education or the social or health sciences (not
counting research experience gained as part of a degree or postgraduate qualification).
8. Prior experience of linking with external colleagues and developing networks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This post will be for 15 months in the first instance, working full-time, with a start date as soon as possible. There is the opportunity to
undertake this post on a part-time basis and over a longer period in parallel with another project(s).
This post requires a researcher with strong quantitative skills to assist in the management and analysis of data from the Wellbeing in
Schools (WiSe) Study led by Prof. Paul Connolly and working closely with Dr Laura Dunne and Dr Katrina Lloyd.
The successful candidate will also contribute to writing publications, dissemination and the wider communication of research findings,
and contribute to the development of further research funding applications.
For further details please contact Dr Laura Dunne, CESI.