Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Researcher in STEM Education

Fixed Term Contract up to 12 months

Background - DCU Dublin City University (DCU) is one of the largest universities in Ireland. Its student population is approximately 17,000, including 500 research postgraduates and over 1,800 taught postgraduate students, plus around 3,000 distance education students. DCU is a research-led university which has developed its own research specialists, established internationally recognized centres of excellence that have substantive collaborative links with leading universities and industrial partners. DCU has a strong track record in attracting both Irish and European Union research funding under Horizon 2020 (and all previous Framework Programmes), Marie Curie Actions and Erasmus. We offer a dynamic and internationally-focused environment in which to advance your academic career. Based in the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) the researcher will work across the three DCU research centres/networks involved which are: the NIDL, CARPE - The Centre for Assessment Research Policy and Practice in Education and CASTeL – the Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning.

The Project

The Researcher will work on the Assessment of Transversal Skills in STEM project funded under Erasmus+ KA 3: Policy Experimentations (Ref: 606696-EPP-1-2018-2-IE-EPPKA3-PI-POLICY). The project focuses on experimenting with digital assessment strategies in STEM Education. The project will develop a conceptual framework for STEM Education to guide the creation and testing of learning and assessment tasks in schools. Digital technology will underpin the creation and utilisation of these tasks in 120 schools across seven European countries.

Through the project we aim to help deliver on DCU’s strategic ambitions for transforming lives and societies through research translation. Building on existing pioneering developments in digital learning, assessment, STEM education and working with a dynamic team of colleagues, this post offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of learning practices for STEM teachers. Under the direction of the Project Team Leaders, s/he will work closely with a team of project staff including academics, researchers, policy makers, external consultants and other European partners to deliver the project aims. The contract will be for an initial period of up to one year commencing on appointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on trends in STEM digital learning formative assessment in post-primary settings and implement appropriate solutions.
• Produce, disseminate and deliver research outputs under the direction of the Project Team Leaders and thus contribute to an understanding of formative assessment using digital tools in STEM education in Europe.
• Manage and deliver project outputs to deadlines and to the highest standards.
• Contribute to the marketing activities of the project, including, the dissemination of promotional content on the project website, social media and traditional marketing channels.
• Undertake project administrative duties including financial management.
• Carry out other duties that may be required by the Project Team Leaders.

Experience and Requirements

The candidate should possess knowledge of digital learning, learning design and STEM education. The candidate must hold a master’s degree but preferably a PhD. The successful candidate will exhibit a high degree of communication skills. The successful candidate will have advanced English language skills and will be asked to evidence examples of their written English.

Skills and Requirements

The successful candidate will:

• Have an M.Sc or Ph.D in a relevant area.
• Have excellent writing and editing skills.
• Possess skills in the design, management and conduct of research, particularly in literature reviews and desk-based research.
• Have the ability to work as an integral part of a team.
• Establish clear priorities and be able to manage their own workload
• Possess knowledge and expertise in Digital Assessment and/or STEM Education
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills
• Have the ability to help manage a research project through completion of administrative tasks

Salary Scale

Research Assistant: €30,393 - €34,612 (point 12 – 17 IUA Research Assistant Salary scale)

Postdoctoral Researcher: €39,529 – €43,029 (point 3-6 – IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Scale) *Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and will be made on the appropriate point of the relevant salary scale in line with current Government pay policy.

Closing Date: 29th April 2019

Informal enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Eamon Costello, eamon.costello@dcu.ie Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Procedure

Application forms are available from the DCU Current Vacancies (open Competitions) website at http://www.dcu.ie/vacancies/current.shtml and also from the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel: +353 (0) 1 7005149. Please clearly state the role that you are applying for in your application and email subject line:

Job Ref: #RF1200 Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Researcher in STEM Education Research

Applications should be submitted by email to hr.applications@dcu.ie or by Fax: +353 (0)1 7005500 or by post to the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel: +353 1 700 5149; Fax: +353 1 700 5500 Email: Insert hr.applications@dcu.ie.

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer