"Research Assistant (Job Number: 25001001)"

School of Education

Grade 6: - £30,805 - £31,637 per annum

Fixed Term - Part Time

Contract Duration: 25 weeks

Contracted Hours per Week: 10

Working Arrangements: This is an in-person role based in Durham, requiring physical presence on campus and regular travel to partner schools in the region to support intervention delivery. The part-time hours (10 per week over 25 weeks) offer flexibility while ensuring close collaboration with the research team and schools throughout the project.

Closing Date: 16-Aug-2025, 6:59:00 AM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Please note that the successful applicant will require DBS disclosure. Further info: https://bit.ly/3DP5K8y

Positions Available:

We are hiring for two positions under this role, each with a different start date:

• Position 1 Start Date: 1^st September, 2025
• Position 2 Start Date: 1^st November, 2025

Working arrangements: 10 hours per week for 25 weeks

This is an in-person role based in Durham, requiring physical presence on campus and regular travel to partner schools in the region to support intervention delivery. The part-time hours (10 per week over 25 weeks) offer flexibility while ensuring close collaboration with the research team and schools throughout the project.

Closing date: 15 Aug 2025

Potential interview date:  21 Aug 2025

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 of Education at Durham University is a leading centre for educational research and teacher development, with a strong international profile and a commitment to improving outcomes for learners. Ranked among the top UK education departments in REF2021, we foster a vibrant and collaborative research environment, with notable strengths in special educational needs, reading development, and educational psychology.

We are recruiting two part-time Research Assistants to support an intervention project focused on adolescents with reading difficulties. Working 10 hours per week over 25 weeks, the successful applicants will work in-person in Durham and travel to local partner schools to deliver a structured reading programme and assess pupils’ progress in both reading and mental wellbeing. The role offers valuable experience in applied educational research, data collection in school settings, and working directly with pupils and teachers.

Responsibilities:

·       Travel to partner schools to deliver intervention programme

·       Work with small groups of secondary school students with reading difficulties in school settings.

·       Deliver a structured reading and mental wellbeing programme following established protocols.

·       Conduct regular assessments of pupils’ reading and wellbeing progress using standardised tools.

·       Accurately record and manage pupil data while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

·       Travel daily to participating schools across the region (travel expenses reimbursed).

·       Attend training and ongoing debriefing sessions with the research team.

·       Liaise professionally with school staff to coordinate session delivery and pupil participation.

·       Assist in accurate data entry, coding, and preparation of progress reports and documentation.

·       Contribute to the planning and refinement of research activities based on field experience.

·       Participate in research meetings and support broader project tasks as needed.