Research Assistant

The Open University UK; Milton Keynes; Remote; GBP 1,800 - 2,700; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Training in qualitative methods

Mentoring and professional development

Publication opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Research community engagement

Job summary

The Open University is seeking a motivated Research Assistant to support a language education study exploring linguistic variation in Spanish teaching in UK higher education. You will collect, transcribe, code, and analyse qualitative data under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.

Responsibilities include ethics submissions, data management, and contributing to dissemination efforts with a cross-disciplinary research team.

Qualifications

• PhD in Spanish Studies, Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Language Education, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Assist in ethics applications and submissions.
• Transcribe interview data and review for accuracy.
• Code and analyse qualitative data with the team.
• Maintain research records and ensure data protection compliance.
• Support dissemination through conferences, reports, publications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Participate in project meetings and related activities.

Skills

Qualitative data collection

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Research integrity

English and Spanish proficiency

Automated transcription tools

NVivo software

Education

PhD in Spanish Studies or related field

Tools

NVivo

Automated transcription tools

Job description

Salary: £36,636 (pro-rata for part time hours)

Closing Date: 22 October 2026

Weekly Working Hours: 1.85

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 July 2028

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education, combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

Languages are traditionally presented in language teaching as fixed, uniform systems, often overlooking contextual and user-driven variation. Recent critical and decolonising pedagogical perspectives, aimed at aligning languages education with social justice, advocate for an emic approach, recognising diversity within languages shaped by history, culture, and society. This project explores how Spanish language instructors in UK Higher Education engage with these ideas, and examines the potential gap between instructors’ stated commitments and actual teaching practices regarding linguistic variation using a qualitative methodological approach. While instructors might support and claim incorporating linguistic variation, actual classroom practices may be, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by institutional constraints, teaching routines, and student expectations. Understanding this potential gap will help to promote a more inclusive and comprehensive view of Spanish for learners. The analysis of the interplay between perceptions and pedagogical realities also contributes to broader discussions on language ideologies, educational policy, and research-informed curriculum development.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant to support the implementation of this timely and impactful study.

Please note that this is to cover 22.5 days over the period of 1 January 2027 - 31 July 2028.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator to support the collection, management, and analysis of qualitative data. This role offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to a project at the intersection of applied linguistics, language pedagogy, sociolinguistics, and critical approaches to language education.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and submission of applications to Research Ethics Committees.
• Transcribe interview data using automated transcription tools and review transcripts for accuracy.
• Collaborate with the research team in coding and analysing qualitative data.
• Contribute to maintaining accurate research records and ensuring compliance with ethical and data protection requirements.
• Support the dissemination of research findings through contributions to conference presentations, reports, academic publications, and other knowledge‑exchange activities, including engagement with relevant stakeholders in language education.
• Participate in project meetings and support other research‑related activities as required.

What We Offer

What We Offer

• The opportunity to contribute to a timely and socially significant research project addressing linguistic diversity, social justice, and language teaching in Higher Education.
• Training and mentoring in qualitative research methods, research synthesis, and other areas within the field of applied linguistics.
• Hands‑on experience across all stages of the research process, including ethics applications, data management, transcription, coding, analysis, and dissemination.
• Opportunities for professional development and skills enhancement in academic research.
• The opportunity to become part of the vibrant and supportive research culture of the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics, while engaging with the wider interdisciplinary research community across the Faculty.
• Collaboration with experienced researchers and opportunities to contribute to publications, conference presentations, and other research dissemination activities where appropriate.

This position would suit a candidate who is enthusiastic about language education research and keen to develop research skills while contributing to a project that seeks to promote more inclusive and socially responsive approaches to the teaching of Spanish.

• A completed or near completion PhD in Spanish Studies, Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Language Education, or related fields.
• Experience in qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team, while also demonstrating initiative and independence.
• Commitment to research integrity, ethical research practice, and confidentiality.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Proficiency in using automated transcription tools and NVivo software.
• Experience working on research projects within Higher Education.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email [e-mail] quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working Location: Whilst this role is contractually based in Milton Keynes, there is no expectation to come on site for this position. Candidates are welcome to work from the Milton Keynes site however, expenses associated with travel to our Milton Keynes site are not reimbursable.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews for this post are likely to take place early November and will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.