Research Trainee in Psychology
Role Description
Department
The Department of Psychology is seeking a part-time (5 hours per week) Research Trainee to join an existing research project working with Prof Silke Göbel for 12 months starting on 01/11/2025 on an ESRC-funded project investigating the foundations of understanding fractions and decimal numbers.
The ability to understand and handle rational numbers such as fractions and decimal numbers (e.g., 1/3, 2.14) is an important foundational skill for advanced mathematics and a gateway into STEM-subjects. Rational numbers are also common in the workplace and proficiency with rational numbers is important for health-related decisions and to manage personal finances. Given the positive outcomes linked to proficiency with rational numbers, the currently low levels of rational number proficiency are worrying.
In this project we are using cognitive psychological research to improve proficiency with rational numbers. The project consists of a longitudinal study in secondary schools and eye-tracking experiments with secondary school children and adults.
Role
The main purpose of the role is to provide support to the research project and assist with its day-to-day operation. The post holder will have an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related discipline and experience working with children. The project will involve testing in schools, as well as liaising with parents and teachers to build contacts in the community. The post will also involve organising events and promoting public engagement with science.
Skills, Experience & Qualification needed
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To conduct testing into numerical cognition with children in secondary schools
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To liaise with parents, teachers and other external contacts in order to build links with the community
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To enter and code data and document the experiments appropriately and in accordance with research best practice and ethical requirements
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To assist with the creation of experimental materials (such as computerised tasks, design of testing booklets, scripts for testing, and score sheets)
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To consider impact of the project and engage with the public with the support of senior colleagues (website creation, newsletter writing, social media)
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To provide regular reports on the progress of the projects to senior colleagues
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To undertake appropriate organisational and administrative activities. Examples may include organising meetings, conferences and workshops, monitoring budgets and developing promotional or educational material.
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To prioritise tasks within an agreed work schedule to ensure that the project(s) are delivered on time.
The appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Interview date: To be confirmed
For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Silke Goebel on silke.goebel@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
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