Research Fellow (0.5 FTE)

The NIoT aims to improve teacher professional development through rigorous, impactful, and cutting-edge school-led research. Our research team plays a key role in this mission, as we work with our programme-delivery teams to test approaches to delivery and respond to the needs and questions of our partner organisations in the wider education sector.

About the role

We are recruiting a part-time (0.5 FTE) Research Fellow to join our Psychological Research team, who will play a crucial role in an exciting project on Countering Online Conspiracies and Misinformation in Schools.

This project is a bold, nationally significant initiative designed to support educators in responding to one of the most complex and urgent challenges facing young people today. You will work alongside the Head of Psychological Research, as well as other colleagues from the Centre for Digital Information Literacy in Schools, our Research and Best Practice team, and our Programmes team.

You will manage aspects of this project concerning impact evaluation and stakeholder experience, working closely with diverse stakeholders including school teachers and leaders, young people, academics and policy makers. In particular, you will lead and collaborate with our group of ‘Research-Practice Leads’: school-based colleagues who are seeking to embed learning from this project directly in their own contexts. You will design and conduct evaluation studies (e.g., case study methods, observational work, interviews, focus group discussions, document analyses), analyse qualitative data, and produce high-quality outputs and sector-facing assets.

We are looking to hire an innovative social researcher who is eager to undertake cutting-edge work with genuine social impact, to engage in evidence-based dialogue with practitioners, and to grow their skills as an independent and innovative researcher. We would welcome discussions with school-based practitioners who have the required qualifications and research experience, and who would wish to undertake this role as a secondment opportunity.

The role is hybrid with the need to be on site at least once a fortnight. This post involves occasional travel and overnight stays, which will be paid/reimbursed by the NIoT.

Main duties & responsibilities

• Project-manage qualitative evaluation and ‘research into practice’ activities within a large collaborative project involving a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarise with the latest primary research literature and consult with sector experts.
• Design evaluation studies and manage data collection, including in educational settings.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the project team and our funders, with other NIoT teams and colleagues, and with external stakeholders and collaborators.
• Conduct qualitative analyses, including the ethical management of datasets.
• Prepare high-quality written outputs for a range of audiences, such as reports, presentations, blogs and academic papers.
• Contribute to the academic environment at the NIoT, to include assessment at postgraduate level and potentially some teaching.

Corporate responsibilities

• To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the NIoT.
• To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.
• To comply with all reasonable management requests.

Essential criteria

• A commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching.
• Doctoral degree in psychology or a related social science.
• An interest in the education sector and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders.
• Experience of designing and conducting qualitative evaluations with human participants, using a range of methodologies.
• Excellent data management and qualitative analysis skills.
• Professional commitment to achieving social impact through research.
• Enjoy working collaboratively and flexibly and approach problem-solving with curiosity.
• Experience of managing research projects.
• Experience of delivering on collaborative projects against tight timelines.
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards and best practices in research.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisation skills and attention to detail.

Desirable criteria

• Prior experience of teaching within the primary, secondary, or further education sector.
• Demonstrable research experience in the psychology of misinformation and disinformation; conspiracy thinking; social influence; or belief formation and change.
• Prior record of publishing high-quality written outputs.

Key benefits

• Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities.
• Flexible start and end working times.
• Flexible working opportunities, with significant scope for hybrid working.
• At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service (with an annual discretionary office shutdown between Christmas and New Year).
• Entry to the highly valued Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Excellent opportunities to develop your skills and experience and to progress your career.
• A stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.

If you are passionate about education research and are looking for an exciting new opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

How to apply

If you have any queries about this role, please email us at recruitment@niot.org.uk

Closing date: 4.00pm on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.

Interview dates: 19 & 20 August 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

As a condition of employment this post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and an Occupational Health Check.