Research Assistant

The Queen?s University Widening Participation Unit (WPU) require Maths Mentors to provide support for a GCSE Maths attainment programme for local GCSE students. Full training for the role will be provided. Please note that the hours of the role will be dependent on school availability and timetables.  

Posts are available from January 2024 to June 2024. The programme will run for 12 weeks from January with weekly in school mentoring sessions.

We are looking for 6 mentors per school. Sessions are likely to take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:15am-12:15pm. Mondays 1pm- 3:30pm. You must be able to commit to at least one of these sessions for a 12 week period.

A training session will be provided in December, which you must be available to attend.

Interviews will take place on the 18th, 19th or 20th November.

Working fixed hours, up to a maximum of fifteen hours per week during term-time based on the study level (UG/PGT/PGR). 

Maths Mentors support the work of the Widening Participation Unit in the delivery of this attainment raising programme by:   

• Engaging with GCSE students (referred to hereafter as programme participants) involved in WPU Maths attainment programme;    
• Supporting the learning of Maths GCSE students through co-operative learning models in the classroom (training will be provided for the purposes of this duty);    
• Acting as a ?role model and ambassador? for Higher Education to programme participants providing potential students with an enthusiastic insight into life at Queen?s;   
• Providing assistance to Widening Participation staff members through facilitating small group discussions and activities on subjects relevant to programme participants;   
• Assisting in motivating and encouraging programme participants to engage fully in all aspects of the delivered programme;   
• Having knowledge of the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups Act (training also to be provided by Widening Participation in line with QUB code of practice and good conduct policies). 

The requirements of these posts are that applicants must be currently registered and attending a course at Queen's University, Belfast. Students applying for this post MUST be able to evidence in writing how they meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined below. Students who do not provide evidence will not be shortlisted and the application will not be considered.    

CCEA or AQA Maths GCSE grade A, or a grade B or above in A-Level in Maths (CCEA or AQA). 

Essential Criteria:   

• Registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Queen?s University Belfast for academic year 2024? 2025.
• CCEA or AQA Maths GCSE grade A, or a grade B or above in A-Level in Maths (CCEA or AQA). 
• Experience of facilitating small group discussions.
• An understanding of the issues and barriers pupils from Widening Participation backgrounds face when considering or applying to Higher Education.
• Experience of working with young people.

Desirable Criteria:   

• Experience of working in a supportive capacity with young people eg. engagement as a volunteer or as member of a social organisation;    
• Being enthusiastic when engaging with a younger audience.

As the role will require applicants to work with young people under the Age of 18 an Access NI check will be required. Applicants who have lived outside the UK for over 1 year will also be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct. 

We are looking for a talented and adaptable student with strong SQL skills to join our team. You will be responsible for writing SQL scripts for Google Big Query to help us utilise data from Dimensions, an online research intelligence tool, and open data sources. This data will be integrated into Power BI for reporting purposes. 

The role involves working with large datasets, performing queries, and developing reports. You will not need prior experience with Dimensions or Google Big Query, but SQL experience is a must. Familiarity with Power BI is a plus but not essential, as training will be provided. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Write SQL queries for large datasets in Google Big Query. 
• Assist in data integration from multiple sources, including Dimensions and open online sources. 
• Support in transforming raw data into insights using Power BI. 
• Collaborate with the team to meet reporting needs. 

NONE

• SQL experience is mandatory (Essential). 
• Ability to adapt SQL skills to new systems and tools. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. 
• Familiarity with Power BI and Google Big Query is an advantage but not required. 
• Willingness to learn and work with large-scale data. 

QBS Connect has a mission to cultivate a QBS community through connections and personal development with three core objectives;

• Connect students through cultural and socially inclusive activities
• Build and strengthen student connections with the wider University and the business community
• Inspire and equip students with Future Ready skills 

QBS Connect is ?for students by students?. Due to additional funding, we have the exciting opportunity to add another assistant to the team. To ensure that we have a team that represents the diverse nature of our student community, we are seeking applications from international students. Previous applications for this opportunity will be reconsidered. Therefore, if you have already applied, please do not submit a new application.  As a QBS Connect Skills Assistant you will work up to 10 hours per week throughout term time. The role will have a breadth of responsibility as outlined below. 

Responsible for:

Skills Workshop Delivery

• Delivering and co-delivering skills sessions.
• Ideation and developing content for activities, events and programs aligned to student demand.

Marketing and Communications

• Designing and creating marketing content.
• Creating and delivering student event campaigns through relevant platforms including social media.
• Sourcing and managing content on QBS communication platforms including Sharepoint.

Operations Management

• Project management & reporting. 
• Developing relationships with internal and external stakeholders including AHSS Student Skills Assistants and other delivery partners.
• Event Logistics including facilities primarily at QBS Student Hub.
• Tracking student Registrations, Attendance and Event Evaluations.

Recruitment Process:

To apply for this position you must create a short video (maximum 3 minutes) outlining why you are applying, how you meet the criteria and how you could add value to the team. You are required to share a link to the video, do not attach a media file as it will be exceed storage.  It is your responsibility to ensure that the video link is accessible when shared.

In addition to the video please include a brief written summary of why you are applying for the position, how you will add value to the QBS Connect team and what key area you will bring most value to the team (Skills Workshop Delivery OR Marketing and Communications OR Operations Management). This should be text only and not exceed 200 words. You must also tell us what you are studying and what level ? (e.g. MSc Marketing / Level 2 BSc Business Management)

Please send your short paragraph and video link to qbsbusiness@qub.ac.uk 

Applications will be considered quickly upon receipt and therefore we recommend you act quickly to be considered for this role. If you are shortlisted you will receive an invitation to attend a short interview (Teams or in-person depending on panel availability).

Applications close on Thursday 7th November at 12pm noon.

As per experience/skills required. 

We are looking to develop a team that represents the diversity of out student population including Undergraduate and Postgraduate students from a range of cultural and international backgrounds.  Ideally our team will consist of individuals who have capacity to thrive across Delivery, Marketing & Communications, and Operations although may have a particular expertise in one of these areas.

The successful candidate must be a current student at Queen?s Business School throughout the period of September 2024 ? June 2025.

You should be a confident communicator with experience in public speaking and be technically competent in using MS Office applications.  We are looking for individuals with a capacity to think creatively and work well as part of a team.