RedSTART Research Assistant

Overview:

Our research team is looking for Research Assistants to help deliver story-based surveys in primary schools next Spring. The project is investigating the impact that financial education has on primary aged children. At this stage, we need to take baseline measures of students’ financial understanding. To do this, we need a group of researchers to visit schools in pairs and deliver the survey to Reception aged students in a one-to-one setting. The schools are based in pockets around the country so travel will be required of every researcher that joins the team.

Tasks:

Once hired, researchers will be required to complete an enhanced (Disclosure and Barring Service) DBS check, so they are able to work in schools.

Researchers will then be required to attend a paid, in-person half day training session to become familiar with the survey tool they will use, to learn about safeguarding protocols and other ways of working, and to be provided with a laptop and other materials to use for fieldwork.

In pairs, researchers will travel to primary schools that are participating in our study. Once there, they will spend a day delivering surveys with Reception aged (4 and 5 years old) children in a one-to-one setting. The surveys take the form of a short story and a card-sorting game. As researchers talk through the story, they will pause to ask the children questions which they will then record on a laptop.

Researchers will be expected to stay overnight to visit an additional school(s) the following day, or to return to the same school if there are lots of students. Travel, accommodation and expenses will be paid.

When surveys are completed, researchers will have to share the completed digital survey responses with the research team.

Hours:

14 hours (2 days) a week for 6 weeks, with the possibility to work more hours.

+ 4 hours (1/2 day) training in person (in London) before fieldwork begins.

When:

19th February 2024 – 28th March 2024.

To be considered, you would need to be available for (at least) 2 days a week during this period.

There is potential for some contracts to be extended after the Easter break into April if we are unable to complete all data collection in this six-week period.

Where:

The schools are based in London, Lowestoft, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, County Durham, the Scottish Borders, and Edinburgh.

If you are already based in these locations, or have a preference to conduct fieldwork in schools based in these regions, please indicate in your personal statement when applying for the role.

• Must be able to pass DBS Check

Essential criteria:

• Willing to travel and stay overnight for research (travel and expenses will be paid for)


• Can pass an enhanced DBS check


• Extremely good communication skills


• Ability to work independently


• Ability to work flexibly 


• High levels of organisation

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working with primary aged children


• Experience conducting surveys