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- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects in education and supervise a dynamic research team.
- Company: Join the National Institute of Teaching, a leader in teacher training and educational research across England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, hybrid options, 27 days holiday, and competitive pay.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while collaborating with passionate professionals in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in social science or education, with experience in quantitative research and project management.
- Other info: This is a maternity cover role, offering a unique opportunity to lead during an exciting period.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 65000 £ per year.
The NIoT has an exciting opportunity to cover for a period of maternity leave. This role is a 0.6 FTE and is to cover the Head of Evaluation and Observational Research. This role will report to the Executive Director of Research and will work within a multidisciplinary research team alongside other Heads of Faculty and Research, and a team of Research Fellows and Research Assistants. This position includes a Principal Investigator role for the national School-level Professional Development research project at NIoT, and oversight of a portfolio of programme evaluation research within NIoT programme design and delivery.
About Us
The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) is a school-led and research-informed organisation operating across England providing teacher and leadership training, from initial teacher education (ITE) to a dedicated course for CEOs of multi-academy trusts. The NIoT is among the largest national provider of ITE and trains thousands of teachers a year across four regional teams and nine campuses. We are committed to high quality, evidence-informed, teacher education, and are on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system. Part of this mission involves producing rigorous, impactful, and cutting-edge school-led research. We have dedicated in-house research teams who work with our programme-delivery teams to develop and test new methodologies, address critical challenges, and meet the evolving needs of our partner schools and organisations in the wider education sector.
About the Role
This role will report to the Executive Director of Research and will work within a multidisciplinary research team alongside other Heads of Faculty and Research, and a team of Research Fellows and Research Assistants. This position includes a Principal Investigator role for the national School-level Professional Development research project at NIoT, and oversight of a portfolio of programme evaluation research within NIoT programme design and delivery.
In addition to being a specialist in designing and conducting primary observational and/or experimental quantitative research, you will be an innovative and practice-minded researcher who strives to make cutting-edge research relevant, engaging, and useful for practitioners in teacher education. You will also play a key role in contribution to the academic environment at the NIoT, for example, teaching and marking at Masters’ degree level. You will either be looking to take on or extend your experience of leading a research team: both supervising early career researchers and providing oversight to the design and delivery of primary research projects in education.
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 & Key Responsibilities
- Supervise the design and delivery of a large-scale research project in education, working closely with members of the project team from across the organisation, education stakeholders, and collaborators.
- Supervise the design and management of a portfolio of programme evaluation research, working closely with the Heads of ITE, ECF and NPQ Faculties.
- Supervise and conduct quantitative analyses of education data.
- Provide academic supervision to Research Fellows and Research Assistants.
- Prepare high-quality written outputs, such as reports, presentations, and academic papers, and provide support and supervision to early career researchers to do so.
- Lead the design and dissemination of resources and activities for a range of audiences.
- Communicate and liaise with the teams designing and delivering teacher professional development programmes at NIoT, school staff, and other education stakeholders throughout the project life cycle.
- Contribution to the academic environment at the NIoT, for example, teaching and marking at Masters’ degree level.
A commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching. An interest in the education sector and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders. Excellent understanding of quantitative research methods, including experimental approaches. Experience with designing and/or conducting randomised or non-randomised experiments in the context of programme design and delivery improvement. Doctoral degree in social science, education, research methods, or other relevant field. Experience with monitoring & evaluation research. Enjoys working collaboratively and flexibly (including in a hybrid working environment) and approaches problem-solving with curiosity. Experience managing research projects, including collaborative projects to tight timelines. Prior record of publishing high-quality written outputs. Commitment to upholding high ethical standards and best practices in educational research. Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills. Excellent organisation skills and attention to detail. Proven interest and/or experience in teacher training and professional development. Experience working in or with schools. Experience supervising and/or line managing early career researchers.
Working at the National Institute of Teaching
Contract: Maternity Cover starting in August 2025 for approximately 12 months. FTE 0.6 which is 22.2 hours per week. Working pattern negotiable. Salary: Actual salary is circa £38,000 per annum, pro rata. (FTE salary is £55,000-65,000) London Weighting where applicable. Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities. Flexible start and end working times. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working. 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays). 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. A range of salary sacrifice schemes.
Notes:
- 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.
- This document does not form part of the contract of employment.
Contact Us: If you have any queries about this role, please email us at recruitment@niot.org.uk
Head of Evaluation and Observational Research (Maternity Cover) (Blackburn) employer: Niot
Contact Detail:
Niot Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Evaluation and Observational Research (Maternity Cover) (Blackburn)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the National Institute of Teaching's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education will help you align your experience and vision with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of NIoT, especially those in research roles. They can provide insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends and methodologies in educational research, particularly in quantitative methods. Being able to discuss recent developments will demonstrate your expertise and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your leadership experience in managing research teams. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've supervised early career researchers and led successful projects, as this is a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Evaluation and Observational Research (Maternity Cover) (Blackburn)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in evaluation and observational research. Emphasise your leadership roles, especially any experience supervising early career researchers or managing research projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education and research. Discuss how your background aligns with the NIoT's mission and values, and mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise in quantitative research methods.
Highlight Your Research Outputs: Include a section in your application that lists your published works, reports, or presentations. This will showcase your ability to produce high-quality written outputs, which is crucial for this role.
Showcase Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves working within a multidisciplinary team, provide examples of past collaborative projects. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders in the education sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at Niot
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the responsibilities and expectations of the Head of Evaluation and Observational Research role. Familiarise yourself with the NIoT's mission and how this position contributes to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Research Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with quantitative research methods, particularly in educational contexts. Highlight any previous projects where you've designed or conducted observational or experimental research, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising early career researchers, be ready to share examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you've managed teams, mentored others, and contributed to a collaborative research environment.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare insightful queries about the NIoT's current research projects, team dynamics, and how they measure the impact of their programmes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and organisation.
