Research Assistant/Research Associate - Automated Language Teaching & Assessment (Fixed Term) in Cambridge

The Cambridge Institute for Automated Language Teaching and Assessment (ALTA) is seeking a Research Assistant or Research Associate to join its strong team of researchers in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. Fixed-term – Funding is available for 12 months. ALTA brings together researchers from Computer Science, Engineering, and across the University to investigate new ways of using technology to enhance language learning and to develop cutting-edge approaches to assessment that will benefit learners and teachers worldwide.

The successful applicant will focus their research on the development of technology for language teaching, learning and assessment, and should be able to work independently and with others in the team. Applicants should have a relevant degree – for instance in Computer Science, Engineering, or Linguistics. A master’s qualification or relevant experience is required for the Research Assistant position; a PhD or relevant experience is required for the Research Associate position.

The candidate must communicate their work to various stakeholders and academic audiences and is expected to be a highly enthusiastic, proactive team player who can contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.

• Carry out research work consistent with the aims and objectives of ALTA, with relevance to automated assessment of language learning.
• Develop research projects that are novel to the field and aligned with ALTA’s research mission and agenda.
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
• Write up research work for presentation and publication in leading workshops, conferences or journals.
• Continuously update knowledge and understanding in the field or specialism.
• Translate advances in subject areas into research activity.
• Manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance if required.
• Communicate specialist or highly technical material to stakeholders including ALTA colleagues, sponsors and the wider research community.
• Ensure timely reporting for the ALTA Annual Review, including poster or oral presentations, written summaries, logging achievements and milestones, and sharing publication preprints with sponsors.
• Attend and contribute to weekly ALTA research meetings.
• Contribute to the wider research community through reviewing or organising activities for academic events such as conferences and workshops.
• May assist in the supervision of student projects, provide limited supervision/instruction to classes, aid in developing student research skills, and plan and deliver seminars relating to the research area.
• Liaise with colleagues and students on routine matters, and make internal and external contacts to foster relationships for future collaboration.
• Plan the use of research resources, computing facilities and human participants as appropriate, and organise projects from start to finish with guidance from supervisor(s).

Please submit a CV and covering letter. If you upload any additional documents that haven’t been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on holding a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Contact email for informal enquiries:

Salary will include an additional 2.5% supplement. Please quote reference NR48359 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.