Educational Research Graduate Programme

New opportunity not to be missed. NFER is looking to recruit two outstanding individuals to the Educational Research Graduate Programme based in Slough. This is a full time 2 year role starting in September, offering a starting salary of £25,151 per annum (subject to review in April 2017).

NFER is the leading independent provider of education research. Our purpose is to provide robust, independent research, assessment and related services that improve education, particularly for children and young people. Our work supports effective policy and practice in education, in the UK and internationally.

A unique opportunity to develop a career in educational research and learn about the whole research process, from tender through to project delivery.

You will have the opportunity to learn about every aspect of the research process, and apply your learning to key policy and practice issues in education, helping us to make a difference to outcomes for children and young people.

You will be provided with a clear development path with tailored experience. Your professional development will be identified and agreed with you throughout the programme and you will receive a high level of professional support from your Line Manager and colleagues.

Starting with a temporary one year contract in the first instance, progress will be reviewed at the end of the first year and provided you have achieved the required standard of performance you will continue into the second year of the programme, after which you will be given a permanent contract of employment.

Permanent contracts of employment will be offered in expectation that you will stay with NFER for at least two further years on completion of the programme.

Structure and Content of the Educational Research Graduate Programme:

- The programme will be structured to allow you to learn about the whole research process from responding to tenders to delivering project outputs.

- You will learn about using statistics, quantitative analysis and running research projects in schools to find out about educational issues.

- You will have the opportunity to work on a range of tasks, such as data collection (including fieldwork), data preparation and coding, data analysis and reporting.

- You will move between up to four different teams, spending up to six months with each.

- You will be provided with specific training relevant to each placement and you will be a contributing member of teams working on on-going projects.

Educational Research Graduate Programme Applicants:

We are keen to hear from you if you are a new graduate / postgraduate or have up to 2 years’ post graduation experience, with:

- An interest and aptitude for statistics, economics, psychology or a qualification with a strong quantitative component

- An interest in education and social research.

Educational Research Graduate Programme Salary:

Salaries will be reviewed at the end of the first year of the programme and subject to good progress you will receive a salary increment.

On successful completion of the programme and the award of a permanent contract of employment your salary will increase to at least £29,157pa, (subject to annual review).

NFER is a registered charity and an equal opportunity employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community. Benefits of working at the Foundation include 30 days paid leave per year over and above Bank Holidays and discretionary days, generous pension arrangements and good support for staff development.

Two hundred staff work in our Slough office which is located in lovely grounds a mile from the town centre; communications by road and rail are excellent  - the office is within easy reach of the M4 and M40 and London Paddington is 15 minutes by rail.

Applicants for the programme should note that it is exempt from the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Act’; further details of NFER’s Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checking procedure are available on the website.

Closing date: 3rd March 2017

Interviews will be held: w/c 27 March and 3 April 2017

If you have an enthusiastic can do mentality and a willingness to challenge yourself in order to push your learning and progress your career on the Educational Research Graduate Programme please click ‘Apply’ below.

No Agencies please, if you are an agency please respect our policy of no cold calling.