Consultant

We are looking for a research assistant to support us for a short time with a number of projects in the Policy Institute?s Evidence Development and Incubation Team (EDIT).

The research assistant will work across a number of EDIT projects, supporting the team to co-ordinate the projects, and carrying out aspects of the qualitative research. The research assistant is likely to work on projects and evaluations that are focused on topics such as supporting those experiencing homelessness; providing employment support for those with disabilities; and improving adult numeracy and financial literacy. 

Activities will include tasks such as monitoring inboxes, scheduling qualitative interviews, arranging transcription, and maintaining folders and fieldwork logs. The research assistant?s work on qualitative research is likely to include data management in NVivo, conducting qualitative interviews, carrying out qualitative analysis if appropriate, and supporting with report drafting including literature reviews and background sections.

Undergraduate or MA degrees (or currently completing) in relevant field (e.g. social sciences) or direct experience conducting qualitative research.

Essential:

• Training in qualitative research approaches
• Experience conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews
• Experience and/or interest in policy research/social research
• Experience working as part of a team or in a co-ordination role

Desirable:

• Experience in carrying out qualitative data management in NVivo
• Experience conducting qualitative analysis
• Experiencing with drafting policy reports

Support and assist King's Climate & Sustainability (KCS) to manage our engagement activities. These activities include Staff Sustainability Champions, King's Climate Action Network, behaviour change campaigns (waste and travel), Sustainability Projects Fund, Carbon Literacy Training and developing other relevant training materials. 

It is crucial that the Sustainability Engagement Assistant works alongside the Sustainability Engagement Officer, and as part of the KCS team, to understand and contribute to the team's engagement priorities for maximum impact.
 

Role information:  

This role is hybrid and flexible. The KCS office is based in Strand. We have 2 engagement roles available. 

Start date: Monday 13th January 2025 
End date: Friday 13th June 2025  

Interview dates: 

Thursday 12th & Friday 13th December 2024 
 

Tasks may include (but not limited to):  

• Develop a database and conduct data analysis to track impact 
• Develop and align various feedback forms 
• Support engagement activities in advance of the waste campaign
• Provide admin support for ad-hoc tasks 
• Collect case studies from Sustainability Champions 
• Support the running of events (e.g. academic panel events on travel and offsetting)  
• Complete administrative tasks for Sustainability Champions audits in May 2025    
• Update guidance for sustainable travel 
• Support with the roll-out of Carbon Literacy Training 
• Support organising the annual Sustainability Awards ceremony 
• Help managing sustainability volunteers 
• Help developing sustainability training for Workrite 

• King's student or recent graduate 

• Proactive - able to take initiative in line with the team's priorities  
• Reactive - able to accommodate last-minute requests 
• Ability to plan ahead - able to develop plans for projects and communication goals ahead of schedule
• Ability to work independently 
• Ability to manage time effectively 
• Ability to demonstrate a passion for and commitment to equality & diversity and sustainability issues  
• Ability to analyse data and create visuals 
• Excellent at working as part of a team 
• Excellent attention to detail  
• Quick to react and change priorities and communication plans when needed

Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Global Affairs. Your Module Convenor (Michael Flavin) will be your Line Manager, if you have any queries or questions, please make your enquiry with them first. If you have any other query regarding your employment, please email pgla@kcl.ac.uk. Responsibilities may include: 

Attending 10 weekly webinars and/or in-person sessions in either term 1 or 2 to assist the module convenor  

Marking UG and/or PGT assessments under supervision of module leaders or other appropriate academic staff 

Attending four in-person lectures in term 2 

Maintenance of information and resources on KEATS and interaction with students via the Virtual Learning Environment  

Working alongside the module convenor and administrator to resolve any issues related to teaching or marking, including providing students with feedback and guidance via e-mail where needed. 

Participation in appropriate training, including mandatory courses/sessions (e.g. courses, induction sessions 

Variation will exist across academic departments and disciplines in relation to specific requirements of GTAs. Roles and responsibilities may also be subject to change. If you are required to complete additional marking, these hours will be added to your assignment and your hours and contract length will be changed accordingly with your agreement after you have started. GTAs will not be expected to: 

Lead lectures, unless they have accepted to do so on a very occasional basis, in their specialist field 

Provide pastoral support to students or act as a personal tutor 

Be involved in Open Days or admissions activities 

Provide students with references 

Set assessments 

Be available to students at all times 

Carry out unremunerated additional work on an ad hoc basis  

Mandatory training: all mandatory training (specific to the delivery of teaching, rather than generic training which all PhD students should already be undertaking as part of their studies) will be remunerated. Under the new model, all GTAs will receive 6 hours of remunerated training for every academic year in which they teach at King's, regardless of whether they have taught before or not. It is envisaged that this would constitute 6 hours of jointly delivered training with King's Academy and academic departments. Some faculties may decide that they wish to include more mandatory training and to pay their GTAs for this. It is also up to departments and faculties to work with King's Academy to decide what constitutes mandatory training, which element of this can be delivered online, and what constitutes professional development training for all PGRs. You should be informed by your GTA Lead (https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2554510&chapterid=186267) about mandatory training. You can also visit the King's Academy GTA Development page (https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/kingsacademy/professional-development-and-recognition/gta-development-programme) for more information, resources and additional workshops that are available to you as a GTA. 

Essential qualifications:  

A first degree in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience).  

Currently studying towards a PhD in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience) 

Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances - essential  

A good understanding of the HE sector - desirable  

Personal characteristics / other requirements  

Ability to self-reflect on teaching design and delivery and act on feedback for future improvements - essential  

Ability to work as part of a team - essential  

Ability to motivate high performance in others - desirable  

Role specific requirements  

Ability and willingness to engage in relevant departmental training and introductory pastoral support training - essential  

Keep abreast of current literature in subject areas being taught ? desirable