Post-doctoral Research Associate

University of Reading; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Post-doctoral Research Associate to contribute to a groundbreaking study on language learning in primary schools. This role involves investigating how young learners acquire French, German, and Spanish, focusing on the factors that affect their linguistic development. You will collaborate with a leading academic in the field and engage in innovative research that aims to enhance foreign language education in England. If you are passionate about education and research, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the field.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in education or applied linguistics is essential.
• Proven quantitative research skills and knowledge of statistical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on language learning in primary schools.
• Examine factors influencing young learners' language progression.

Skills

Quantitative research skills

Statistical analysis techniques

Experience in schools

Knowledge of foreign language education

Basic knowledge of French

Basic knowledge of Spanish

Education

Doctorate in education

Doctorate in applied linguistics

Job description

Closing date: 23.59 GMT on 13th May 2025

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-UK candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

A Post-doctoral Research Associate is required for a study into the learning of French, German, and Spanish in primary schools in England. The project examines young learners’ linguistic progression over the four years of language learning in primary school (from age 7 to 11) and explores the individual, instructional, and contextual factors that influence young learners' language learning, in particular within classroom settings in English-speaking countries where exposure to the language being learned is limited.

The Progression in Primary Languages project is led by Dr Rowena Kasprowicz and funded through a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship.

You will have:

• A doctorate in education / applied linguistics or a related discipline
• Proven quantitative (e.g. experimental) research skills
• Sound knowledge of statistical techniques for the analysis of quantitative data (e.g. language test scores)
• Experience working in schools (in a teaching and/or research capacity)
• Knowledge of foreign language education in England
• Basic knowledge of French and/or Spanish

The role is available part-time (at 0.8 FTE), starting 1^st June 2025 to 30^th September 2026.

Interview date: 21/05/2025

Contact Name: Rowena Kasprowicz

Contact Job Title: Associate Professor in Second Language Education, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow

Contact Email address: [e-mail]

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.