Research Associate
Job Location: Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid
Department: IET Academic
Closing Date: 14 December 2025
Weekly Working Hours: 26.25
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (7.5 months from start date)
About the Role
This part‑time, fixed‑term contract offers 26.25 hours per week. It is a dual role focused on the initiation phase of the new Research Capability Hub (RCH) funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and on delivering research career development activity across the Open University.
The RCH will provide UK‑wide research training and capacity building for social scientists. The role is an integral part of the delivery team and will contribute to the development of a new Hub for delivering research methods courses, enhancing accessibility and inclusion, and fostering community engagement of social science researchers across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
* Support, test, develop, and evaluate a unified, streamlined access point for the Hub for UK social scientists
* Support launch event in January 2026 with relevant training providers and stakeholders
* Support and deliver evidence‑cafes and Q‑methodology sessions to identify what social scientists want in terms of research skills and training
* Work effectively with other training providers and integrate existing resources in the Hub platform
* Help support effective instruments/approaches to categorise training activities and support the development of validated instruments (pre‑post) to measure expected impact
* Lead the initial mapping and curation of existing resources and trainings for social science researchers across different providers
* Contribute/co‑design the Hub’s evaluation plan
* Co‑design a number of social science trainings contributing original insights to social science research training
* Collect and analyse data (qualitative and quantitative) from initial course participants and project partners as needed
* Contribute to the design of evaluation instruments for assessing programme’s impact on social science training
* Co‑produce reports and high‑quality publications in collaboration with project leads
* Co‑design an online Open Learn training in collaboration with partners
* Monitor and report on programme progress using learning analytics data
* Contribute towards gaining ethical clearance for research activities from the OU
* Liaise closely with the OU PI and other team members as needed
* Contribute to the development and implementation of the Data Management plan
* Attend project meetings and events as required and make presentations if needed
* Support preparations for the RCH launch event and other RCH events
* Undertake other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post
Essential Skills and Experience
* A completed PhD in Educational Technology, Technology‑Enhanced Learning, or another relevant field
* Experience of using participatory, co‑production methods in research, ideally social science research methods
* Experience conducting and analysing quantitative data such as interviews, focus groups, observations
* Experience conducting and analysing quantitative data such as online surveys, learning analytics
* Ability to work collaboratively in a team, ideally in interdisciplinary teams
* Experience authoring or co‑authoring academic outputs (e.g., journal articles, books, research reports)
Support with Your Application
If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.
What’s in it for You?
We offer a range of benefits, flexible working policies, and a supportive environment to recognise and reward great work. For full details, visit the Staff Benefits page.
Recruitment Process
Interviews are anticipated on the week commencing 5 January 2026, if shortlisted.
Early closing date notification: the advert may close earlier than the published date if a satisfactory number of applications are received.
How to Apply
* CV
* Supporting statement (Your supporting statement should outline how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria listed above)
Track your application status in the recruitment system. Check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive email updates.
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
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