Research Associate (Experimental Methods)
We are seeking a Research Associate in Experimental Methods to lead a programme of research and capacity building within the Brunel Centre, alongside the UKRI‑funded From the Centre to the Periphery project team based in the Department of Education.
The post represents an outstanding and exciting opportunity for an early career scholar who wishes to establish themselves as a future leader in experimental social science research.
Key Responsibilities
* Promote the awareness and knowledge of experimental methodologies across the West of England and beyond by visiting partners, giving talks and meeting with stakeholders.
* Implement the Brunel Experimental Methods Academy (BEMA) – a capacity‑building initiative that aims to bolster the awareness, knowledge and expertise in experimental research methodologies of those working in industry and public policy across the West of England and beyond. This includes recruiting interested parties to BEMA, designing and running the training elements, and maintaining online presence and resources.
* Work with academics in the Brunel Centre to develop research proposals using experimental methodological designs, and, together with the wider academic team, publish from this funded research in relevant leading academic journals, including methodological publications.
About Us
The From the Centre to the Periphery project aims to develop the policy solutions that are needed to close gaps in education and skills across the UK to ensure opportunity is not constrained by geography. It adopts a quasi‑experimental methodological research design, including large‑scale analysis of Linked Educational Outcomes (LEO) data with qualitative case study research across 12 locations in England, funded by the UKRI Trial Accelerator Fund (TAF). The project is part of the broader team at the Brunel Centre, a new research and insight hub launched by the University of Bath, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Futures West, with £4.5 million in funding from Research England.
Our Ideal Candidate
The successful applicant will be passionate about experimental methodologies in social science research, especially those that produce evidence that is impactful on public policy.
* Skilled in communicating complex experimental methods in an easily accessible way to promote the uptake and use of these methodologies in the wider scientific community.
* Supported by experts in experimental methodologies based in the Brunel Centre and academics from the Universities of Bath, Durham and Bristol who are part of the project team.
Additional Information
This is a part‑time (29.2 hours per week) fixed‑term role expected to be 15 months in duration.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Michael Donnelly, Professor of Education and Social Policy at mpd35@bath.ac.uk.
Commitment to Inclusion and Equality
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and are committed to gender equality and intersectionality, having received a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds and communities, particularly from under‑represented groups. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment. We are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, an accredited Disability Confident Leader and an autism‑friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
Benefits
* Free counselling services through Health Assured
* Cycle to work scheme
* Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
* Staff discount at Team Bath gym
* Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
* Staff discount on language courses
* Generous employer contributory pension schemes
* Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
* A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
* Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
* Local discounts and more
* A family‑friendly workplace
* An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
* Relocation allowance
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us on X and LinkedIn.
Further Details
* Job Description & Person Specification
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Right to Work in the UK: We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.
Anonymous shortlisting: We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.
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