JOB DESCRIPTION

Research Assistant, placementPAL project

SectionQuality Assurance and Quality Enhancement

Location:Ipswich (Waterfront) Campus.

Salary:Within the range £22,494 to £25,298 per annum/pro rata

Grade:5

Contract status: Fixed Term for 12 months

Hours of work:18.5 hpw (0.5 fte)

Pension:USS

Annual Leave entitlement25days pa, pro rata

Responsible to:Dr Christine Smith, Associate Professor and Quality

Enhancement Manager

General

The Research Assistant post involves providing research support for Dr Christine Smith, Caroline Doolan and Dr Suzanne Nolan on the HEFCE-funded research project under the Catalyst Fund Call A: small scale, ‘experimental’ innovation in learning and teaching.

The project is entitled placementPAL (Peer Assisted Learning): a digital app to scaffold students’ learning and knowledgeable action in work contexts

The RA post will be based in Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in the Waterfront Building at the University of Suffolk, Ipswich. The research assistant will work under the supervision of the project leader, Dr Christine Smith, Associate Professor and Quality Enhancement Manager, and closely with the principal investigators in the Department of Health Studies and the Suffolk Business School.

The post holder should have the flexibility to work within diverse teams, while demonstrating self-motivation and time management skills and the ability to work, often to tight deadlines, with limited supervision. The post holder will be expected to have a commitment and a desire to enhance their own skills and abilities via self professional development and appropriate training.

Project Information

placementPAL (Peer Assisted Learning): a digital app to scaffold students’ learning andknowledgeable action in work contexts.

The aimof the placementPAL projectis to enhance students’ effective and confident transition into work placements through timely and innovative scaffolding of learning. We know employers are looking for students with agile attitudes and aptitudes in addition to relevant knowledge and skills. The project offers an exciting opportunity to deepen understanding of the ways in which students prepare for, and learn on placement, and how they learn to participate effectively in work-based contexts. We will use this understanding to collaboratively develop a sustainable digital app called placementPAL. The app will be deployed using digital smartphone technologies, helping students to derive the greatest value from their work experiences.

Professional contexts are communities characterised by highly complex practices, requiring students to quickly learn to take ‘knowledgeable action’ by adeptly and confidently applying theory to practice. Transition from campus to practice placements can therefore be quite stressful experiences for students. Students on placements may have access to books and web-based materials in break times, but it is anticipated the immediacy of access and scaffolding afforded by placementPAL will assist them to successfully adapt to new environments and interact with the objects, people and systems they encounter. The app will act as an advanced aide-memoire to flexibly scaffold the application of subject knowledge, giving students confidence e.g. in using professional vocabulary, dealing with complex work problems, and nurturing a sense of legitimate participation in work-based practices. The design of the app will align with three sequences in the scaffolding of learning – in approaches of contingency, through fading, to transfer of responsibility to the learner.

The objectives of the project include to:

  1. Design a ‘pedagogical pattern’ from which to develop, pilot and evaluate an innovative mobile digital app in two different subject domains: to help scaffold both the acquisition of relevant subject knowledge; and the development of professional socialisation.
  2. Integrate an interdisciplinary approach by fully engaging students and tutors from these two different academic fields (BA Events and Tourism Management; and BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology) in all phases of the project.
  3. Consult with employers and other stakeholders to ensure the tool supports the application of pertinent skills and relevant knowledge aligned to their priorities.
  4. Disseminate findings of the project via an open dissemination event, peer-reviewed journal articles and in HEFCE evaluation/dissemination activities.

.

Primary Functions of the post

  1. To assist the project lead in the implementation of the project plan (e.g. its actions, objectives, deliverables and outcomes).
  2. To contribute to the planning and management of research activities in conjunction with the project lead, principal investigators and the research team.
  3. To undertake primarily qualitative research by preparing, setting up, conducting, analysing and recording the outcomes of the pilot studies, including in the development of research instruments e.g. questionnaires, focus group schedules and semi-structured interviews.
  4. To coordinate with the project’s principal investigators and with student partners, to ensure the project objectives are achieved.
  5. To conduct literature and database searches as relevant to the project foci
  6. To work with the research team, building relationships of trust with student participants and key stakeholders, and safeguarding the confidentiality of participants, as necessary.
  7. To contribute to the production and presentation of findings and research reports including in peer-reviewed publications.
  8. To assist in the accurate keeping of records and relevant accounts of the management of the project.
  9. To assist in preparations for the project’s dissemination event.
  10. To assist in the preparation, maintenance, and update of a project website
  11. To maintain an awareness of fire, health and safety regulations.

Secondary Functions

  1. To undertake any other duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grade of the post, as properly directed by the line manager. These variations will not change the general character of the post or the level of responsibility entailed

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities as aligned to the duties of academic employees of the University of Suffolk.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the following essential/desirable attributes:

Essential / Desirable
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS /
  • Good honours degree
/
  • Masters degree, or currently undertaking PG studies at Level 7/8

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE /
  • Experience of conducting literature reviews
  • Experience of undertaking qualitative research, including in fieldwork/interviews/surveys
/
  • Project Management skills
  • Experience of working in the HE context
  • Knowledge of data analysis

APTITUDE AND SKILLS /
  • Research project management skills
  • Good written and oral communication skills as pertinent to the academic context
  • Ability to present information to others and to discuss project-relevant subjects
  • Digitally literate e.g. in word processing, spreadsheet manipulation
  • Ability to work to tight deadlines
  • An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity with the ability to promote equality within the research project
/
  • Use of qualitative analysis tools e.g. nVivo and or AtlasTI

ATTITUDE /
  • Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of the team, under pressure and to deadlines
  • Flexible attitude and adaptability to change and problem-solving
  • Ability to deal with problems which may affect the achievement of aspects of the research, its objectives and deadlines
  • Good interpersonal skills to facilitate integration into, and participation in, the project research team
  • Openness to new ideas and ways of working
  • Willingness to spend short periods of time at student placement sites (pilot studies)
  • An understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunity Policies, and the ability to promote this in the day to day work of the post.

Research/special interests /
  • Evidence of ability to contribute to the writing of research reports
/
  • Evidence of publishing the findings of research projects

INFORMAL ENQUIRIES

Please telephone or email Dr Christine Smith (01473) 338684,

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

University of Suffolk is a diverse community and is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all staff and students.

NO SMOKING POLICY

A no smoking policy operates at all University of Suffolk premises, including the use of vapourisers.

Closing date: 15th December 2016 (at midday)

Interview date: 9th January 2017

To apply for this post:

  • Fill in the Application Cover Sheet and monitoring form on our website at
  • Attach a curriculum vitae and a letter of application setting out clearly how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post
  • Return them as Word (.doc) attachments by e-mail to: , please put the post title in the subject box of your email.
  • If you are unable to email your documents, you may post them to

The Human Resource Team
University of Suffolk
Waterfront Building
Neptune Quay
Ipswich

Suffolk

UK

IP4 1QJ

If you are unable to apply via the website please ask for an application pack from the address above, or by phone on 01473 338351.


About the University of Suffolk

The University of Suffolk was originally established as University Campus Suffolk (UCS) in 2007, and transformed the provision of higher education in Suffolk and beyond. Subsequently, on the 1 August 2016, the first independent University of Suffolk was officially launched.

The University of Suffolk is a transformational university, absorbing the best of UK university traditions and aligning them with a twenty first century audience and a modern world of employment and entrepreneurship. We are a distinctive, thriving academic community which makes a clear and immediate impact. Our purpose is to change lives – of individuals and communities - for the better.

In a world where nothing ever stays the same, we all need to change, evolve, succeed and change again. That’s what we do. Be bold and do the same. Together we’ll achieve more.

We are strongly embedded in our local region, and our unique and integrated partnership with four colleges is central to our identity. Our national and international impact through research and innovation brings recognition and opportunity to the region.

The student experience is at the heart of what we do; the strong partnership between students and staff at the University is central to our ambitions. Our students experience the highest quality in teaching, learning and social environments. Scholarship and high impact research is pervasive within the institution, and we offer our students a transformational experience.