At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to conduct impactful research on teacher development.
- Company: National Institute of Teaching, a leader in teacher education across England.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, pension schemes, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your research skills.
- Qualifications: Strong quantitative expertise and a passion for innovative research.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 38000 £ per year.
Job Overview
Hybrid - within commuting distance of London, Birmingham, Blackburn, Doncaster, Bradford, Redcar or Bristol
£34,434 per annum (plus London weighting if applicable) + benefits
Fixed Term | Full or part-time
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-method 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.
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.
Benefits
- 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.
If you have any queries about this role, please email us at recruitment@niot.org.uk
For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 2 October 2025.
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.
Research Assistant in Wakefield employer: TES FE News
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 high-quality research in teacher education, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enjoying a range of lifestyle benefits. Located within commuting distance of major cities, NIOT fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity, making it an ideal place for those passionate about advancing educational practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant in Wakefield
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
Dive headfirst into the scientific research world by joining relevant communities and forums. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and even attend conferences or seminars in your field. This not only boosts your visibility but can also lead to potential job opportunities—don't forget to connect with like-minded folks!
✨Show Off Your Research Projects
Have you worked on any cool research projects? Make it easy for potential employers to see your work by creating a portfolio or a personal website. This way, when you apply for roles like the one at TES FE News, you can point them to your projects and publications, showcasing your expertise directly.
✨Utilise Professional Networks
Networking is key in scientific research. Join professional bodies or organisations related to your field. They often have job boards and resources tailored for job seekers. Make connections with professionals who may know about openings or can give you tips on landing a full-time position.
✨Keep Your Eyes on Openings & Apply Directly
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at TES FE News. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at TES FE News. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at TES FE News
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at TES FE News. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at TES FE News to drive research projects forward.
