At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen. Research Fellow Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover Manchester: £34,920 - £40,000 Guildford: £36,360 - £42,500 Hybrid Working Looking for a role where you really make a difference to millions of people? Are you an experienced Researcher with expertise in education, assessment, psychology or a related field? Do you have experience of applying quantitative research methods to complex problems? As a Research Fellow with AQA, you will be working alongside a team of educational assessment experts to plan, conduct and deliver research and development projects. This will require applying specialist knowledge of educational assessment and related research methodologies to deliver research projects independently but within the context of a collaborative research programme and with appropriate guidance from workstream leads. The Research Fellow is a project lead and technical expert, you will be responsible for designing, managing and delivering projects. This will include carrying out technical tasks such as literature reviews, quantitative data analyses or presenting findings through presentations and reports to a variety of audiences, as well as project-oriented tasks such as managing the project documentation, engaging with stakeholders and coordinating the project team. Please note: You will need to be able to attend the office on a regular basis, at least two days each week. What’s in it for me? We value our colleagues who all work hard to deliver a first class service within the world of education. We value a work/life balance and are able to offer a range of benefits including the following: a basic of 25 days annual leave (rising with service) with Bank Holidays and additional closure days at Christmas on top a working week of 35 hours a good pension with up to 18.5% combined contributions recently refurbished office spaces offering a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces, (Manchester has a gym, a games room, a yoga studio and a discounted café, Guildford has free parking, discounts in onsite eateries and free tea/coffee) up to five days a year for volunteering private medical insurance and a healthcare cash reward plan life assurance and enhanced maternity/paternity leave and more What do I need to be successful? A doctoral degree (or nearly completed) in psychology or education (although other disciplines will be considered), which will ideally include statistical training. Alternatively, an equivalent professional qualification or demonstrable experience. Have experience of designing and conducting quantitative research and using packages such as ‘R’ for data analysis. Knowledge and developing practice of (research) project management. Demonstrable ability to communicate research findings to a range of stakeholders and in a variety of formats (written and spoken forms) Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as to lead, motivate and coordinate people within projects Knowledge and experience of education evaluation is desirable What do I do next? Read the full job description below then upload your most recent CV with a cover letter explaining how your experience matches this Research Fellow role. Please also upload, or add a link to, evidence of an example of your recent research (this can be published or unpublished). Without this we will not be able to consider you for shortlisting. Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 17 February 2025 Interviews will be over two stages (Teams and Face to Face) including a presentation in the week beginning 3rd March Every application will receive a response. CRE23 AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique. Recruitment Agencies We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place. Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees. Full Job Description Summary • The Research Fellow will work alongside a team of educational assessment experts to plan, conduct and deliver research and development projects. • This will require applying specialist knowledge of educational assessment and related research methodologies to deliver research projects independently but within the context of a collaborative research programme and with appropriate guidance from workstream leads. • As a project lead and technical expert, the Research Fellow will be responsible for designing, managing and delivering projects. This will include carrying out technical tasks such as literature reviews, quantitative or qualitative data analyses or presenting findings through presentations and reports, as well as project-oriented tasks such as managing the project documentation, engaging with stakeholders and coordinating the project team.Landscape: The Research Fellow will work within the Research and Development team. The team sits within the Assessment Research and Innovation business area and carries out qualitative and quantitative educational research with the goal of supporting AQA develop innovative, valid and inclusive assessments, whether on paper or on screen, and lead thinking in the sector. Our research programme defines our active areas of interest: accessibility, fairness and ED&I; validity and innovation; marking, grading and standards. Our team’s background is in the social and natural sciences and encompasses a broad spectrum of areas of expertise. The successful candidate will have access to a variety of training, development, and mentoring opportunities. Activities: Applying methodological expertise to design research. Planning, conducting and delivering research and development projects, balancing project-level leadership and management with technical input, developing skills acquired in postgraduate studies or recent experience. Working in teams to contribute to the successful delivery of research workstreams. Developing up-to-date knowledge of the educational assessment landscape and relevant literature. Ensuring compliance with AQA’s policies and procedures, with particular regard to Ethics and Data Protection. Contributing to research impact and engagement through report writing and other forms of dissemination and communication, developing a recognisable voice within the business as well as a public voice in the assessment research community that contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of AQA’s reputation in educational assessment Contributing to the ongoing development of the team’s research and development practice, promoting a positive team culture. Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to have knowledge/experience of): A doctoral degree (or nearly completed) in psychology or education (although other disciplines will be considered), which will ideally include statistical training. Alternatively, an equivalent professional qualification or demonstrable experience. Theoretical and applied knowledge of postgraduate-level qualitative or quantitative research methods for the social sciences. Knowledge and developing practice of (research) project management. Demonstrable ability to communicate research findings to a range of stakeholders and in a variety of formats (written and spoken forms) Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as to lead, motivate and coordinate people within projects. To succeed:You will have the ability to think critically about how exams and tests are made, how they work, and how they affect education and life chances. You will be methodical with excellent attention to detail, capable of understanding and synthesising complex, diverse and incomplete information and able to present reasoned arguments You will have the ability and credibility to build strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders You will be able to set and meet deadlines and work within resource constraints (Desirable) Principles of educational or psychological assessment (e.g., validity and reliability) (Desirable) Principles of educational testing and test development (e.g., classical test theory, item response theory, psychometrics)