Research Associate

Role Description

Department

We are seeking a part-time Research Associate (0.8FTE, 29.6 hours per week) to work on two projects evaluating speech, language and communication interventions implemented in early years settings: the Communication Friendly Settings (CFS) efficacy trial and the Communication Friendly Home-Based Settings (CFHBS) pilot study. Funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) the studies focus on continuing professional development (CPD) for Early Years Practitioners within private, voluntary and independent nurseries, school-based settings and home-based settings (i.e. childminders). Both programmes are being delivered by Elklan Training Ltd. as part of the Department for Education’s Early Years Recovery Programme. There may be additional opportunities to work on other EEF-funded studies within the team. The Department of Education at the University of York is a friendly, inclusive and dynamic environment with a strong and growing Early Career Researcher (ECR) community.  The CFS efficacy trial is led by Dr Louise Tracey and the CFHBS pilot study is led by Dr Louise Tracey and Professor Claudine Bowyer-Crane (Co-PIs) The post is available from 1 July 2023, until 31 December 2024.  

Role

The successful candidate will project manage the Communication Friendly Home-Based Settings pilot, including the day-to-day running of the study. This involves survey design and administration, interviews with childminders, attendance at training sessions and ‘virtual home visits’ as well as analysis and contributing to the final report. They will also assist the current RA in the trial management of the larger Communication Friendly Settings efficacy trial, including managing a large team of data collectors to collect child outcome data and conducting the embedded implementation and process evaluation, analysis of interview and survey data and contributing to the writing of the final report.  

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• PhD in psychology and/or education or equivalent experience
• Knowledge in evidence-based interventions to engage in high quality research
• Knowledge of a range of research techniques and methodologies
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using own initiative

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Louise Tracey via email louise.tracey@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork