At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to conduct impactful research on teacher development.
- Company: National Institute of Teaching, dedicated to improving education across England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, flexible working, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your research skills.
- Qualifications: Strong quantitative skills and a passion for education are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 38000 £ per year.
We are seeking to hire a Research Assistant with strong quantitative expertise to join our team and play a crucial role in the generation of high-quality and useful evidence on effective teacher professional development. You will work alongside a team of Research Fellows, Research Assistants and the Head of Evaluation and Observational research to design and implement academic research alongside the programmes designed and delivered by NIoT.
Apply By: 02 October 2025 Location: Within commuting distance of London, Birmingham, Blackburn, Doncaster, Bradford, Redcar or Bristol. Salary: £34,434 per annum (plus London weighting if applicable) + benefits
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 providers of ITE and trains thousands of teachers a year, across four regional teams and six 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 a dedicated in-house research team 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. This is a new and exciting approach to embedding research within practice in education, and we work collaboratively to continually evolve and strengthen our approach to making research useful in teacher education practice. The Evaluation and Observational Research team sits within the overall Research team, and designs and implements primary research projects in collaboration with the Programmes team at the NIoT.
About the Role
We are seeking to hire a Research Assistant with strong quantitative expertise to join our team and play a crucial role in the generation of high-quality and useful evidence on effective teacher professional development. You will work alongside a team of Research Fellows, Research Assistants and the Head of Evaluation and Observational research to design and implement academic research alongside the programmes designed and delivered by NIoT. This role includes opportunities to contribute to research design of new research; collect and manage quantitative data; conduct advanced statistical analyses; contribute to high-quality written outputs for academic audiences and policymakers, and other outputs to raise the impact of our research. You will also have opportunities to contribute to qualitative data collection and mixed-methods approaches where appropriate.
We are looking for someone with proven experience in quantitative methods who is also an innovative and practice-minded researcher, committed to making cutting-edge research relevant, engaging, and useful for practitioners in teacher education.
This is a full-time role, although part-time opportunities may be available. It is a hybrid role, with one day per fortnight on campus. The work will focus primarily on current and future randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in Initial Teacher Education, and may include some work on other projects into teacher and leader training and development. These trials aim to generate robust evidence on effective approaches to teacher training and development.
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
- Contribute to study and research tool design
- Data management and organisation
- Data analysis and interpretation of findings
- Support project management and coordination of data collection and analysis
- Literature searching and synthesis
- Preparation of written outputs
- Master’s degree in education, social sciences, health sciences, or a related field
- Strong quantitative skills, including data management, advanced inferential techniques, sampling methods, and power analyses
- Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
- Proactive, collaborative approach to problem-solving
- Commitment to the aims of the National Institute of Teaching
- Interest in education and a belief in the value of teachers and school leaders
- Doctoral degree in education, social science, health sciences, or other related field
- Proven interest and/or experience in teacher training and development
- Experience working in educational settings
- Experience with mixed-methods research, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches
This is an exciting opportunity for candidates looking to make a tangible and immediate impact on practice, and who wish to utilise their skills and expertise to conduct primary evaluation research on topics most relevant to teachers, educational leaders and teacher educators. This is an opportunity to grow your skills in conducting primary research and data analysis, and in working within a team build a new and innovative approach to combining research and practice in education.
Working at the National Institute of Teaching
Contract: Temporary (12 months fixed-term); full time(part time hours would be considered for the right candidate)
Salary: £34,434 per-annum (plus London Weighting if applicable) + benefits
Key benefits available to all National Institute of Teaching staff:
- Generous Annual Leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
- Flexible Working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
- Pension - Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
- Lifestyle Benefits – We offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
- Parenthood Leave – We offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
- Working Environment – We have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.
- Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters
- Development: We fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have high level of continuous professional development.
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:
- 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
Contact Us: If you have any queries about this role, please email us atrecruitment@niot.org.uk
Share with:
From new teachers to school trust CEOs - join a community of educators
#J-18808-LjbffrResearch Assistant employer: Niot
The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises professional development and collaboration. With generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to employee growth, NIoT empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in education while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Located within commuting distance of major cities, this role provides the unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research that directly influences teacher training and development across England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant
✨Leverage University Connections
If you're still at uni or have recently graduated, tap into your university's career services and research departments. They often have leads on temporary research roles, internships, or projects that haven’t been widely advertised yet!
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Join online forums and local meetups specific to your research area. Platforms like ResearchGate or specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for finding short-term research opportunities and connecting with fellow researchers who might know of openings.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a professional portfolio showcasing your research work or projects. This doesn’t have to be fancy; a simple website or a well-organised LinkedIn profile can make you stand out to potential employers like Niot.
✨Apply through Our Website!
Remember to check out the openings on our website. Applying directly for roles like the Research Assistant at Niot shows your enthusiasm and makes you more visible to hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Research Skills:For a temporary role in scientific research, it’s key to highlight your hands-on experience and skills. Use your CV to detail any relevant projects or experiments you’ve worked on, showcasing your problem-solving abilities and techniques you've mastered. Don’t forget to mention any lab techniques or tools that you’re familiar with – this can really set you apart!
Highlight Your Adaptability:Since this is a temporary position, employers like Niot will want to see that you can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to quickly grasp new concepts and fit in with diverse teams. Give examples of past experiences where you had to adapt swiftly, as it shows you’re ready for any challenges the research might throw at you.
Academic Credentials Matter:Make sure your academic background shines through, especially any relevant degrees, certifications, or publications. If you’ve been involved in conducting research, definitely bring that up! It’s important to demonstrate your theoretical foundations and any formal recognitions you've received in the scientific field.
Include References from Previous Researchers:Having strong references can make all the difference in a temporary role in scientific research. If you can, include references from previous supervisors or professors who can vouch for your research capabilities and work ethic. This adds credibility to your application and gives Niot assurance of your skills and professional behaviour.
How to prepare for a job interview at Niot
✨Understand the Research Landscape
Dive deep into the specific area of scientific research that Niot focuses on. Whether it's biotech or environmental sciences, familiarise yourself with recent publications and breakthroughs. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but you're genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Don't Skip the Technical Skills
As a temporary hire, you might be expected to hit the ground running. Be ready to discuss specific techniques or tools you’ve used, like statistical software or lab equipment. Practise explaining your experience in a clear, structured way so the interviewers can grasp your skills right away.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to adapt quickly to new protocols and projects. Be prepared to share examples of how you've managed shifting priorities or learned new methodologies on the fly. This will help demonstrate that you're a quick learner who can contribute immediately.
✨Bring Your Best Work to the Table
Even if this is a temporary gig, showcase any relevant projects or research you've completed. If you have a portfolio, make it succinct yet impactful. Showcasing tangible results can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers at Niot.
