Research Assistant University College London

Abundant Code; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 Days holiday

Relocation scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

Immigration loan

CARE pension scheme

Enhanced parental pay

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

University College London is seeking a Research Assistant to join the ST E R N project in London. The role focuses on applied stereotypes, social networks, and inequalities, contributing to data collection and analysis in English schools.

The successful candidate will hold a master's in a relevant social science and have expertise in quantitative methods, with an interest in how stereotypes affect education and well-being. London-based, full-time, with involvement in multidisciplinary teamwork.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent research experience in a relevant social science field.
• Experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Interest in social inequalities, social networks, or stereotypes.

Responsibilities

• Develop the questionnaire and potential new measures for the study.
• Select the sample and recruit participating schools.
• Collect and manage data for the project.
• Collaborate with the team and contribute to data analysis where possible.
• Participation in academic activities and potential own research projects.

Skills

Quantitative research methods

Statistical analysis

Interest in social inequalities

Education

Master's degree in sociology / social psychology / education / behavioural science or related field

Tools

Statistical software (R)

Job description

Research Assistant Overview

Company Name: University College London

Job Role: Research Assistant

Qualifications: Not specified

Category: I

Job Type: Full Time

Location: London

What you'll get

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday: 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days (pro rata for part time staff)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme (pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

The role

You will have a master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline (sociology, social psychology, education, behavioural science, or related field), or equivalent research experience. You will also have experience in quantitative research methods and an interest in social inequalities, social networks, or stereotypes.

Experience using statistical software for quantitative data analysis, with a willingness to develop proficiency in R, is essential.

Your application form should address all Person Specification points and clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet each of the criteria. It is important that the criteria are clearly numbered and that you provide a response to each one.

This opportunity is offered until 30th September 2027 in the first instance.

For further information contact Zsófia Boda: [e-mail]

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates underrepresented in UCL’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and – for Grade 9 and 10 roles – women.

Read more: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion .

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with UCL’s policies on: Prevention of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Personal Relationships Policy .

Our department holds an Athena Swan Silver award in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

What you’ll do

We are looking for research assistants to work on the project “Applied stereotypes, social networks, and self-fulfilling prophecies: How stereotypes reinforce social inequalities” (STERN). STERN is a five-year research project, now starting its second year, funded by the European Research Council and led by Zsófia Boda. The team also includes a postdoctoral researcher and two PhD students. We are a multidisciplinary team, with backgrounds ranging from sociology to education to psychology.

The team aims to develop a measurement of applied stereotypes – the way people apply the stereotypes they hold to others – and collect empirical data in secondary schools in England. The project will analyse how applied stereotypes of peers emerge, and how they affect educational outcomes and well‑being of pupils.

We are looking for two or three research assistants to support the preparation for, and implementation of, data collection planned for autumn 2027. Each position will be between 0.2 and 0.4 FTE (equivalent of one to two days per week), depending on the availability of the successful applicants.

In this post you will work closely with other team members on a range of tasks, based on the needs of the project and, where possible, your individual interests and expertise. You will support the development of the questionnaire, including potentially developing new measures; the selection of the sample; recruitment of participating schools; and data collection.

Research assistants who are interested in developing their own research are also welcome to participate in the academic activities of the research group, and they may have the opportunity to conduct their own research projects using the project data.

Visa sponsorship: check with employer