Research Associate
- Posted 11 May 2026
- Salary £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
- End date 25 May 2026
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference198973
- Expiry 25 May 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to the Teaching-Focused Research Hub of Scotland’s national Centre for Teaching Excellence (CfTE) with Hub Co-Leads, Professor Sarah Anderson and Dr Thomas Cowhitt. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the CfTE deliverables and project/School/College research strategy.
2. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
4. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow School of Education.
5. Presentation of work at conferences, internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.
7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
9. Take the lead in the organisation and supervision of onboarding and initial training of Teacher Associates and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
11. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
12. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
14. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
A2 Critical understanding of research on the related topics of teacher engagement with evidence (evidence-informed practice), approaches to professional inquiry and teacher-led research, and how universities and schools can work in partnership to conduct this type of work (i.e. research–practice partnerships, networked improvement communities, etc.) including relevant debates and methodologies (i.e. design-based implementation research).
A3 Strong knowledge of mixed-methods research design and how qualitative and/or quantitative data can be used to build robust findings in research.
A4 Understanding of research translation into practitioner-facing outputs (e.g. briefs, professional learning materials, etc.).
A5 Awareness of Scottish and international policy contexts relating to evidence-informed practice and teacher professional learning.
Desirable
B1 Knowledge of teacher-led research and professional inquiry approaches in applied settings.
B2 Understanding of system-level improvement and research capacity-building in education systems.
B3 Familiarity with digital infrastructures for large-scale professional learning (e.g. virtual learning environments).
Skills
Essential
C1 Strong organisation and project management, including managing multiple priorities.
C2 Ability to synthesise and communicate complex research clearly for academic and practitioner audiences.
C3 Strong academic writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality publications and applied outputs.
C4 Ability to design, conduct, and report independent research.
C5 Ability to facilitate research engagement and professional learning activities.
C6 Ability to collaborate effectively across academic, policy, and practice contexts.
C7 Relevant digital and methodological skills (e.g. qualitative analysis software, survey tools, and various research-relevant online platforms).
Desirable
D1 Ability to design and support collaborative inquiry models (e.g. communities of practice).
D2 Skills in evaluation and impact assessment, including use of mixed and real-world data sources
Experience
Essential
E1 Experience of conducting research projects from design to dissemination.
E2 Evidence of research outputs (e.g. publications, reports, briefs).
E3 Experience of translating research into practice-relevant outputs.
E4 Experience of engaging with practitioners or non-academic stakeholders.
E5 Experience of presenting research to varied audiences.
E6 Evidence of initiative and independent judgement in research or project delivery.
E7 Experience of contributing to funding or project development.
E8 Commitment to open and accessible research practices.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Thomas Cowhitt, Thomas.Cowhitt@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.
This post is full time and fixed term to 31.03.2027
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing date : 25 May 2026 @23:45