Research Assistant - Information Literacy Job - London - Central

Job Description

Research Assistant: Information Literacy Project

We are looking for a student or graduate from KCL to help us with the project outlined below, assisting with phase one of the project. The successful candidate will organise, conduct, record and transcribe interviews with KCL students over MS teams. The RA will be expected to correspond with student interviewees, organise the time and conduct the interviews.

The weekly hours specified are indicative and the project in total will involve a maximum 130h commitment over the dates specified. The successful candidate will be able to work flexibly according to their other commitments and will be working with Dr Amanda Jones and Dr Craig Robinson from King's Business School. You will be required to provide your own laptop for the project.

Enhancing Information Literacy and Employability for Gen Z - what should effective intervention look like?

Overview

This project explores the value of implementing information literacy initiatives for enhancing students’ perceptions of both subjective success and employability. ‘Generation Z’ (Gen Z), which describes those born between 1996-2012, make up the vast majority of graduating university students (Schwieger & Ladwig, 2018). This generation faces some specific challenges. First, they enter a workforce where the use of artificial intelligence is increasing in the face of the lowest unemployment in 38 years, with the result that they must be able to perform ‘the jobs that robots can’t’ (Kasriel, 2019). Essential skills to manage in this context include critical thinking and the ability to navigate and interpret vast amounts of data from multiple sources. However, Mohr and Mohr’s (2017) research informs us that, counter to possessing desirable digital and information literacy skills, Gen Z report getting ‘lost’ in data by ‘binging’ on too much information and have trouble identifying the reliable sources. Consequently, universities such as KCL would be well advised to seek to enhance students’ information literacy skills if they wish to assist students in securing gainful employment and help to develop key skills which contribute to a better functioning society in the age of ‘increasing disinformation’ (Frau-Meigs, 2022).

Aim

The aim of the project is to gain insight into and develop a series of recommendations to better support students in developing information literacy skills. This will be achieved through initially seeking an understanding of the experiences of students and, at a later stage, employers in assessing information literacy needs and examining the process by which these needs can be met. The project will draw on existing literature on generation Z and information literacy, which is informative of the characteristics of Gen Z and the value and necessity of enhancing information literacy, but limited in its scope for recommending practical methods of enhancement, especially within the UK context. We also aim to consider the relationship between student’s perceptions of information literacy and employability and to triangulate these perceptions with those of employers with the aim of understanding and addressing any disparities between these perspectives.

Process

The project involves exploratory data collection in two phases (a student phase and an employer phase), a systematic literature review, and a period of analysis. The first step, involves conducing exploratory qualitative interviews with students which evaluate a specific intervention aimed at enhancing their information literacy and explore the effectiveness of this intervention for enhancing their skills and perceived employability. A systematic review of the education and wider literature focused on Gen Z and information literacy will also take place in parallel, drawing on the assistance of an undergraduate researcher (KURF). The second data collection stream, which will take place in a subsequent phase, involves conducting focus group interviews with employers to stablish employers’ perspective on and requirements for information literacy in graduate recruits. The student interviews will be conducted by a postgraduate research assistant.

Qualifications

As above

Skills

A postgraduate (FHEQ L7) qualification in management or in the process of obtaining one

An interest in management education and research

Familiarity with qualitative research methods

Experience of conducting interviews

Time management and organisational skills

MORE JOBS LIKE THIS

Inclusive Careers Education Ambassador

Please note: to apply for this role you must be a student or recent graduate from the Informatics, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics Departments at King's College London. BSc Natural Sciences students based in the faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences are also welcome to apply.

You must be available to work at least 35-40 hours in total between June 2025 and January 2026 (with a month off in August) and including at least 1-2 hours per week during Autumn term 2025. The role will involve a mix of online and on-campus work.

About us:

The Careers & Employability Team at King's College London is a large team of professionals supporting King's students and recent graduates with their career and employability journeys. We are working to improve our inclusive practice, by co-creating inclusive careers education programmes with students, based on an awareness of marginalisation, oppression and discrimination. As an Inclusive Careers Education Ambassador (ICEA) you will have the opportunity to help shape our work and to support your fellow students in the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences with building their futures. 

The Role:

Inclusive Careers Education Ambassadors (ICEAs) are ten King's College London students and recent graduates in the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences (NMES) who are supported by the Careers & Employability team to deliver careers education activities to their peers that draws from an understanding of lived experiences of marginalisation such as ethnicity, disability and gender.

The careers education activities are co-created by the ICEAs and could include workshops, drop-ins, in-lecture shout-outs, digital resources or more. ICEAs will be paid for a total of 35 - 40 hours each on the project, including training and planning in a group with other ambassadors and the Inclusive Careers Project Officer, with support from a Careers Consultant.

There are ten ICEA roles currently available across all five departments in total, five of which are for students or recent graduates from the departments of Chemistry, Informatics, Engineering, Physics and Maths at King's College London eligible for our Careers+ programme . The other five are open to any students or recent graduates from the departments of Chemistry, Informatics, Engineering, Physics and Maths at King's (including UK-domiciled or international students). BSc Natural Sciences students based in the faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences are also welcome to apply. The roles are fully supported by the Careers & Employability team and will make a big difference to many students, helping them shape their career plans and feel a sense of belonging within an inclusive careers education community.

Careers+ eligibility is detailed on our KEATS pages.

Main duties:

Participating in training in June and September 2025 (example training topics: careers & employability resources; inclusive education; creating digital content).

Meeting as a group to co-create and deliver careers education activities for Autumn 2025 (activities could include: workshops, panel events, social media interactions, video interviews, in-lecture shoutouts, drop-ins and more).

Marketing careers activities to students in each department.

Requesting, collecting and analysing feedback and attendance figures, and presenting the results.

Hours and training

Paid training will take place in June and September 2025. There will be 4 training sessions to attend during this time. One will be a compulsory on-campus training day, and the other three will be online at lunchtimes (also compulsory). It is crucial to attend all the training.

Provisional dates and times for training:

Session 1 - Wednesday 11th June, 10.00-16.00 BST. On campus (Strand)

Session 2 - Thursday 19th June, 12.00-13.30 BST. Online

Session 3 - Tuesday 9th September, 12.00-13.30 BST. Online

Session 4 - Wednesday 10th September, 12.00-13.00 BST. Online

These sessions are all compulsory training and you will be paid for your time.

This role is for around 35 - 40 hours across the whole project (not 35 - 40 hours per week!) and while we would like you to attend all the training sessions, other parts of the role can be undertaken at flexible times to suit you and your fellow Inclusive Careers Education Ambassadors.

Application process:

Please apply via King's Talent Bank, answering the yes/no questions and providing a cover letter (supporting statement) as described below.

The King's Talent Bank application process allows you to enter a cover letter and this is where your supporting statement should be entered. Our suggested length for the supporting statement is 300-600 words. We suggest you copy and paste the full job description into a separate document file and write your cover letter (supporting statement) there, so you are able to easily address the points below, then submit via the King's Talent Bank platform.

Please do not include a CV with your application.

King's Talent Bank questions:

Are you available to work for 35 - 40 hours in total between June 2025 and January 2026, including during Autumn term 2025? (Yes/No)

Are you eligible to register with King's Talent Bank, including holding a UK bank account? (Yes/No)

Are you a student or recent graduate from the Department of Informatics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics or Natural Sciences at King's College London? (Yes/No)

Have you read the job description for this role carefully and prepared the requested cover letter? (Yes/No)

In your cover letter (supporting statement), please aim to address the following points:

Why you want to become an Inclusive Careers Education Ambassador.

A career-related activity (e.g. a workshop, talk, appointment, interview, part-time work or internship/job) you have participated in and what you learned.

An idea for how you might engage your fellow students in career-related activities (e.g. in a workshop or on social media) with a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion.

We particularly welcome applications from students and recent graduates who are disabled, LGBTQ+, first generation at university, women in STEM, Black or Ethnic Minority Heritage, care experienced, or candidates who are or have been young carers, as they are traditionally under-represented in UK Higher Education. Please refer to our pages for specific careers resources on declaring disabilities and information for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

You can see some of the work of past Inclusive Careers Education Ambassadors on our KEATS pages. To ask questions about the role contact Laura Oxley, or Catherine Alcraft, Careers Consultants.

Qualifications

None

Skills

Essential criteria:

You must be an Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Research student currently registered in the Engineering, Physics, Informatics, Chemistry or Mathematics departments at King's College London, or a recent graduate from one of these departments. BSc Natural Sciences students based in the faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences are also welcome to apply.

Eligible to register with King's Talent Bank [2], holding a UK bank account, and available to do 35-40 hours of work between June 2025 and January 2026 (with August off), including at least 1-2 hours per week during Autumn term 2025.

Some experience of participating in or attending careers activities, such as applying for spring weeks, internships, part-time or full-time roles; entrepreneurship activities; attending careers appointments and/or events.

Enthusiasm for inclusive education and awareness of the experience of students who are traditionally under-represented in UK Higher Education such as disabled students, mature students, LGBTQ+ students, women in STEM, Black or Ethnic Minority Heritage students or recent graduates.

Desirable criteria:

Experience communicating confidently with diverse audiences.

Experience being proactive, working independently and in a team.

[2] King's pays temporary staff via King's Talent Bank and therefore you must have a UK bank account to be apply for this role. Please note that King's Talent Bank will require applicants to demonstrate that they are eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

What will I gain from the role?

Note: The skills and experiences you gain from this role will depend on what you'd like to focus on you'll have the opportunity to co-create activities you feel will be helpful to your peers. 

During this role you may have opportunities to develop your:

Understanding of how people learn and ways to deliver inclusive educational activities;

Experience working within a team, networking, and working independently;

Experience co-creating and delivering peer-to-peer educational activities;

Communication skills such as writing, presenting and marketing;

Self-reflection skills about careers and employability;

Collecting and analysis of feedback and reporting results.

You may also have the opportunity to:

Present to stakeholders such as King's students and staff;

Take part in King's Experience programmes;

Work with student societies on collaborative activities;

Design online education resources;

Help with training for next year's cohort.

Institute For AI External Event Ambassador

£36,562 - £36,562

London - Central

Hospitality, Catering & Events

Temporary / Interim

Represent the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence at an external event taking place in Plymouth for local businesses and councils. Promote the collaboration opportunities available to external organisations and the benefits that working with the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence can bring. Read briefing documents in advance of the event and be able to speak with conviciton about King's strengths in Artificial Intelligence, particularly those relevant to the concerns of external organisations including SMEs - for example, responsible innovation and ethical adoption and deployment.

Qualifications

Educated to degree level (essential)

Completed or working towards a PHD in AI or a closely related field.

Skills

A broad grounding in artificial intelligence and a good general knowledge of artificial intelligence.

A sound understanding of some of the concerns of SMEs and other external organisations in AI adoption and deployment

A good understanding of the aims and purpose of the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and its activities.

Experience of working with the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

Experience of working with SMEs and external learners in the delivery of online professional development courses.

Workshop Assistant

Around 20 hours are available for assisting with drafting of workshop report. Candidate needs to be available to attend workshop at King's College London (Strand Campus) on April 8th 2025 (event starting at 9:30 am and finishing around 5:30pm). Must have experience in taking notes and using these to summarise discussions and draft report.

Qualifications

BA or MA or PhD in social sciences or arts and humanities field

Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills
Experience in taking notes (for example in meetings, lectures, conferences, etc.)
Ability to summarise discussions in a concise and coherent way
Ability to write reports

SEE ALL JOBS

MORE JOBS LIKE THIS

Inclusive Careers Education Ambassador

32546 - 32546

London - Centra

Higher Educatio