Research Assistant or Officer

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

This is a fixed-term role until 15/12/2025, for 2.5 days per week.

Applications are invited for the position of Research Assistant or Officer within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, to work for the S4 outreach project (Swansea University Science For Schools Scheme https://s4science.co.uk/

The Research Assistant or Officer will independently deliver a series of research reports and papers that form the dissemination deliverables of a Longitudinal Cohort Evaluation (LCE) of participants in a campus-based STEM outreach programme. The LCE has been delivered and the drafts of reports and papers completed. The Research Officer will complete full analysis of the LCE and publish the reports and papers.  Analysis will require expert use of SPSS and NVivo

The LCE was collected from secondary school students (from areas of social and economic disadvantage in South Wales) following their participation in a university campus science intervention programme. S4 introduced students to spaces of science and higher education and evaluated the impact this had on their ideas about science, future careers, entrance into higher education and aspirations. Our delivery was under a broad ‘Science Capital’ theoretical lens.

We are seeking a suitably qualified human geography post-doctoral researcher to deliver a short-term piece of work analysing evaluation data from the S4 programme. A PhD in Human Geography or a relevant social science discipline is desirable, and experience of research in widening access to education and STEM inclusivity is needed.  

You will ensure the strategic aims of the project are realised via a specific set of deliverables. This is a ‘sprint project’ with regular, discrete deliverables over a short period of time and you will work closely with the Lead Academics to implement the shared project vision. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Welsh Language Skills

The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.

The University is a proud bilingual institution, our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

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