Research Associate; Experimental Methods

Research Associate (Experimental Methods)

We are seeking a Research Associate in Experimental Methods to lead a programme of research and capacity building within the Brunel Centre, alongside the UKRI-funded From the Centre to the Periphery project team based in the Department of Education. The post represents an outstanding and exciting opportunity for an early career scholar who wishes to establish themselves as a future leader in experimental social science research.

• Promote awareness and knowledge of experimental methodologies across the West of England and beyond – visiting partners to give talks and meeting with stakeholders.
• Implement the Brunel Experimental Methods Academy (BEMA) – design and run training, recruit participants, maintain online resources.
• Work with academics in the Brunel Centre to develop research proposals using experimental designs; collaborate with bidders and the academic team to publish findings in leading academic journals, including methodological publications.

From the Centre to the Periphery project aims to develop the policy solutions needed to close gaps in education and skills across the UK to ensure opportunity is not constrained by geography. It adopts a quasi‑experimental methodological research design, including large‑scale analysis of Linked Educational Outcomes (LEO) data with qualitative case‑study research across 12 locations in England. The work is funded by the UKRI Trial Accelerator Fund (TAF).

• Skilled in communicating complex experimental methods in an easily accessible way to promote uptake and use of these methodologies in the wider scientific community.
• Supported by experts in experimental methodologies based in the Brunel Centre and academics from the Universities of Bath, Durham and Bristol who are part of the project team.

This is a part‑time (29.2 hours per week), fixed‑term role expected to last for 15 months.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days of professional development pro rata per year.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Michael Donnelly, Professor of Education and Social Policy at

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
• Wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, Linked In Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family‑friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance

We do not assess immigration or right to work status until the offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality, receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under‑represented groups.