Overview
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.
Researcher
Permanent
Manchester: £34,000 - £36,000
Guildford: £35,000 - £38,000
Hybrid working
Are you curious about how exams shape education and life chances? Do you want to use your research skills to make a real impact on learners across the UK? At AQA, we’re looking for a passionate researcher who’s ready to challenge the status quo and help shape the future of assessment.
As a researcher at AQA, you’ll be part of a dynamic psychometrics team that’s redefining educational assessment. You’ll contribute to projects that ensure our assessments are fair, inclusive and innovative—helping learners of all backgrounds achieve their potential.
This is more than just a research role—it’s your chance to shape the future of education. At AQA, you’ll enjoy:
* A fantastic pension with up to 11.5% employer contributions.
* A 35-hour working week and 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and office closure in December.
* Access to employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, disAbility, empowering women, wellbeing, and ethnic minority network.
* An extensive online learning platform and dedicated development opportunities.
* Good transport links, volunteering days and more.
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Responsibilities
* Designing and delivering research that informs how we assess learners and maintain standards.
* Analysing quantitative data to uncover insights that drive change.
* Sharing your findings through reports, presentations and publications that influence practice and policy.
Requirements / Qualifications
* Have a postgraduate degree (or equivalent experience) in psychology, statistics, mathematics, or a related field.
* Bring experience in quantitative research methods.
* Have experience writing code to conduct statistical analysis in R, Python, SAS, STATA, or a similar software.
* Can communicate complex ideas clearly to different audiences.
* Are detail-oriented, organised, analytical and curious about how assessment works.
* Enjoy working collaboratively in a team that values innovation and rigour.
To apply, please submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining how your skills and experience match the job description.
Please note that there is a requirement for an enhanced DBS for this role.
Application deadline is 23:59 on Tuesday 23 September
Interviews will be over two stages, a virtual interview with a task and a face to face interview in either the Guildford or Manchester office so that you can see where you will be working.
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
Purpose:
* The Researcher will work alongside a team of educational assessment experts to support the delivery of research and development projects.
* This will require developing and applying specialist knowledge of educational assessment and related research methodologies to deliver research tasks independently but within the context of collaborative projects and with appropriate guidance from the project owner.
* As a technical expert, the Researcher will be responsible for aspects of research projects such as carrying out literature reviews, analysing quantitative or qualitative data using specialised software, and contributing to and delivering presentations and reports.
Landscape
The Researcher sits within the Assessment Research and Innovation business area. The team 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; AI in education and assessment. 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 support research design
* Carrying out aspects of quantitative or qualitative research (e.g. literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, reports) using appropriate software, developing skills acquired in postgraduate studies or recent experience
* Working in teams to contribute to the successful delivery of projects
* 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, beginning to develop 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):
* An undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree (or nearly completed) in psychology, education, statistics or a related discipline where relevant research experience and methodological expertise can be demonstrated. Alternatively, an equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience
* Knowledge and developing practice of postgraduate-level qualitative or quantitative research methods for the social sciences
* 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
* 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 to build strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders
* You will be able to manage your work and meet deadlines
(Desirable) Some experience of contributing to applied research in an academic or commercial setting
(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)
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