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- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects in education and supervise a dynamic team.
- Company: Join the National Institute of Teaching, a leader in teacher training across England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 27 days holiday, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while collaborating with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in quantitative research methods required.
- Other info: This is a maternity cover role, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful research.
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) (London) 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) (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the education and research sectors. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who might provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and methodologies in educational research, particularly in quantitative methods. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading research projects and supervising teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects and contributed to academic environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the NIoT's work by reviewing their published research and understanding their approach to teacher education. This will help you align your application with their mission and values, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Evaluation and Observational Research (Maternity Cover) (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in evaluation and observational research. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held, particularly in educational settings, and showcase your quantitative research skills.
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 ability to lead research teams.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your doctoral degree and any additional qualifications related to social science, education, or research methods. Mention any publications or high-quality written outputs that showcase your expertise.
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
✨Showcase Your Research Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in designing and conducting quantitative research, especially in educational settings. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've led or contributed to, focusing on methodologies and outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As this role involves supervising early career researchers, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects. Discuss your approach to mentoring and supporting others in their professional development.
✨Align with NIoT's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the National Institute of Teaching's mission and values. During the interview, express your commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education and how your background aligns with their goals.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role requires working within a multidisciplinary team, think of examples where you've collaborated effectively with diverse stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving in a team environment.
