Research Assistant

Job Description: Research Assistant (participatory toolkit: engaging with young communities)

The aim is to produce a toolkit designed to help researchers and practitioners to employ participatory methods when working with young people. The research assistant will also be working alongside researchers and stakeholders to understand ‘youth voice,’ youth social action and solutions to issues facing young Londoners.

The toolkit will draw on our experiences of participatory research with and for young people; especially, the process of involving young people as peer researchers (16- to 25-year-olds) within our existing ‘Youth Social Action’ project commissioned by the Greater London Authority. In addition to analyse the findings, the young steering group members challenge us methodologically and epistemologically, and have thus developed innovative approaches and methods that not only will enhance the research, but also make the ‘Youth Social Action’ project more meaningful, empowering and engaging to the young people involved.

The project consists of two components: (1) research with Key Stage 3 students (12- to 14-year-olds) where the key part of the qualitative data is collected through school workshops; and, (2) research with 16- to 25-year-olds, where the data is collected through interactive activities, as part of the ‘Young Changemakers’ event, scheduled to take place on 12 July 2024 at London Metropolitan University.

This is a great opportunity for a graduate student or PGR student who want to further develop skills around academic research (qualitative), writing and delivering of school workshops.

To support this project, we need two research assistants to support us with the following tasks:

Conduct desk-based research

• Help capture the youth participatory approach applied on the project.


• Undertake literature searches as appropriate, and a literature review around participatory research involving young people.


• Assist in the analysis of qualitative data, as directed by the research leads.


• Summarise the key findings of the activities.

Presentation of findings

• Assist with the presentation of findings.


• Participate in the documentation of the results arising from research activity.


• Contribute towards the publication of the toolkit.

Planning and managing resources

• Work to deadlines and manage competing priorities, with direction as appropriate from project leads.

University/school profile

• As appropriate, liaise with relevant internal and external contacts/organisations in related areas of study.

Delivery of project

• Assist with planning and delivery of an event, taking place at London Metropolitan University, where the aim is to run fun, interactive research activities for 16- to 25-year-olds.


• Assist with planning and delivery of two workshops for Key Stage 2 students, scheduled to take place in a school in Camden, London, on 15 and 16 July, 2024.

Teaching fellow with neuroscience knowledge for urgent level 6 marking

Ideally HEA fellowship

Marking

Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Politics & Economics

Your Module Convenor will be your Line Manager, if you have any queries or questions, please make your enquiry with them first. If you have any other query regarding your employment, please email spe-business-support@kcl.ac.uk

Responsibilities

- Delivery of agreed package of teaching activities to a high standard, under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff. These activities may include seminars, classes, tutorials, lab sessions, other small group work to develop student skills, demonstration for experiments/techniques in lab-based science and computing, and/or mentoring support for UG or PGT project work. Students will not normally be involved in lecturing, but in some cases may be asked to lead lectures if the topic falls within their specialist field.

- Participation in appropriate training including mandatory courses/sessions (e.g., courses, induction sessions.)

- Careful and proportionate preparation for teaching activities. In some instances, materials will be provided by departments/ faculties.

- Marking and assessment (formative and summative) under supervision of module leaders or other appropriate academic staff.

- Provision of timely and useful formative and summative feedback to students, holding weekly office hours or similar to provide students with opportunities for face-to-face meetings, and providing feedback and guidance via e-mail where needed.

- Maintenance of information and resources on KEATS and interaction with students via the VLE.

- Attendance at lectures where needed/requested to ensure consistency of module delivery.

- Routine administration and correspondence associated with teaching delivery.

- Liaison with senior colleagues regarding contributions to module development (e.g. course material, content development), planning of teaching and monitoring student progress.

GTA framework tariff of activities: https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/hr/gtas/principles-gta-framework 

Variation will exist across academic departments and disciplines in relation to specific requirements of GTAs. Roles and responsibilities may also be subject to change.  If you are required to complete additional marking, these hours will be added to your assignment and your hours and contract length will be changed accordingly with your agreement after you have started.

GTAs will not be expected to:

- Lead lectures, unless they have accepted to do so on a very occasional basis, in their specialist field

- Provide pastoral support to students or act as a personal tutor

- Be involved in Open Days or admissions activities - Provide students with references

- Set assessments

- Be available to students at all times

- Carry out unremunerated additional work on an ad hoc basis Mandatory training All mandatory training (specific to the delivery of teaching, rather than generic training which all PhD students should already be undertaking as part of their studies) will be remunerated. Under the new model, all GTAs will receive 6 hours of remunerated training for every academic year in which they teach at King's, regardless of whether they have taught before or not. It is envisaged that this would constitute 6 hours of jointly delivered training with King's Academy and academic departments. Some faculties may decide that they wish to include more mandatory training and to pay their GTAs for this. It is also up to departments and faculties to work with King's Academy to decide what constitutes mandatory training, which element of this can be delivered online, and what constitutes professional development training for all PGRs. You should be informed by your GTA Lead (https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2554510&chapterid=186267) about mandatory training. You can also visit the King's Academy GTA Development page (https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/kingsacademy/professional-development/gta-development-programme) for more information, resources and additional workshops that are available to you as a GTA.

Essential qualifications

1. A first degree in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience).

2. Currently studying towards a PhD in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience)

1. Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances - essential

2. A good understanding of the HE sector - desirable

Personal characteristics / other requirements

1. Ability to self-reflect on teaching design and delivery and act on feedback for future improvements - essential

2. Ability to work as part of a team - essential

3. Ability to motivate high performance in others – desirable

Role specific requirements

1. Ability and willingness to engage in relevant departmental training and introductory pastoral support training - essential

2. Keep abreast of current literature in subject areas being taught - essential