Data Curator

If you enjoy working at the intersection of data, research and education, this is an opportunity to use your skills for real sector-wide impact.

Location: Within commutable distance of one of our campuses in Beckenham, Birmingham, Blackburn, Doncaster, Redcar, Bristol or Bradford

Salary: £37,280 per annum + benefits (plus London weighting if applicable)

About Us

At the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), we believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility. We are on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development at a system level, using evidence, research and partnership to help shape a stronger education system for the future.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with a clear and ambitious mission. Our work brings together high-quality programme delivery, rigorous research and deep sector knowledge to generate and apply insights that can improve teaching and learning across the country. The data we collect through our programmes and partnerships is central to that mission: it helps us understand what works, strengthen professional development, and ensure evidence informs practice, policy and public debate.

About the Role

As Data Curator, you will play a key role in making sure our data can be used safely, effectively and insightfully to support research and generate impact. You will work across teams to understand how data is generated, how it is currently used, and how systems, processes and tools can be strengthened so that our data is reliable, accessible and fit for research purposes.

You will work closely with colleagues behind the NIoT’s Teacher Education Dataset (TED), helping to maintain and enhance curated datasets and explore how new sources of data can strengthen our understanding of teacher and leader development.

You will also collaborate with researchers and practitioners working through the NIoT’s Professional Development Laboratory, our test-and-learn centre focused on identifying and sharing effective approaches to professional development. This role would suit someone who enjoys working at the intersection of data, research and education, and who is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to work that has real sector-wide significance.

This role is fixed term due to funding, and it is too early to comment on the possibility of a permanent position. This is a hybrid role, with the requirement for in person working for a minimum of once a fortnight, occasionally this will be more due to business need. The role includes participation in our annual all-staff away day (including an overnight stay) and occasional national travel.

Interviews will be held week commencing 28 September.

Corporate Responsibilities

• To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the NIoT.
• To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.
• To comply with all reasonable management requests.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with senior colleagues to implement agreed data management and storage processes and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of these processes for research purposes.
• Support research colleagues to follow established procedures relating to data access and use, to ensure that agreed processes can support cutting-edge research and respond to evolving need.
• Work with the TED team to maintain curated datasets within the Teacher Education Dataset.
• Liaise with colleagues across the NIoT, including programme design, programme delivery, digital, research, and professional services to gather information on data collection and use.
• Produce reports on data quality and completeness, escalating concerns when necessary.
• Play a key role in driving data quality at an organisational level, working closely with the digital team to raise awareness of data gaps, the importance of efficient data collection, and communicate the impact of strengthened data systems for NIoT delivery and system impact.
• Support the wider academic community of the NIoT with data-focused development and capacity building.
• Commitment to the NIoT’s mission and to improving outcomes through rigorous evidence, strong partnerships and thoughtful external engagement.

Experience

• Experience working with data in an education context, such as school, MAT, university, or teacher education settings.
• Experience applying data quality concepts — completeness, consistency, accuracy – in professional and/or research contexts.
• Experience of applying data governance principles in school and/or research settings.
• Experience interrogating and working with structured datasets, with or without technical coding skills.
• Familiarity with the use of qualitative and quantitative data for research purposes, as well as key issues in data interpretation such as biases and comparability.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly and take initiative in the face of new challenges.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly about data to expert and non-expert audiences, adhering to high professional standards.
• Strong ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Motivated to work at the interface of academic and professional priorities and working cultures, with a diverse team and multiple external stakeholders.
• Degree level education, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working as a teacher or in another professional role in schools, such as data manager.
• Familiarity with school data systems (MIS systems like Bromcom, SIMS, Arbor).
• Strong documentation skills such as writing data dictionaries, process documentation, and data flow mapping.
• Understanding of data linking concepts and the challenges involved.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data sharing in an education context.
• Experience with tools like Excel, SQL, R, Python or GitHub at a basic level.
• Degree in a relevant field such as data science, information management, education, social science, or a related discipline.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in data management (e.g. CDMP, or relevant training).

Working at the National Institute of Teaching

Contract: Full time. Fixed term for 12 months.

Salary: £37,280 per annum + benefits (plus London weighting if applicable)

Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities.

Flexible start and end working times.

Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working.

At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service.

Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

A stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.

Excellent opportunities to develop your skills and experience and to progress your career.

Further Information

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Notes:

• To ensure a fair and robust selection process, we expect all application responses to be based on your own original thoughts, skills and experience. Our system includes functionality to identify AI-generated content, and applications where responses appear not to be the candidate’s own work may be disregarded.
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
• Candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
• This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.
• This document is an overview of the role. The responsibilities will include but will not be limited to those listed above and it is anticipated that the role will evolve over time and as such the duties may change.

Closing date: 4.00pm on 18 September 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advertisement early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Contact us: If you have any queries about this role, please email us at recruitment@niot.org.uk.