Data Curator

Within commutable distance of Beckenham, Birmingham, Blackburn, Doncaster, Redcar, Bristol or Bradford

12-month fixed term contract

At the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), we believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility. We are on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development at a system level, using evidence, research and partnership to help shape a stronger education system for the future.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with a clear and ambitious mission. Our work brings together high-quality programme delivery, rigorous research and deep sector knowledge to generate and apply insights that can improve teaching and learning across the country. The data we collect through our programmes and partnerships is central to that mission: it helps us understand what works, strengthen professional development, and ensure evidence informs practice, policy and public debate.

As Data Curator, you will play a key role in making sure our data can be used safely, effectively and insightfully to support research and generate impact. You will work across teams to understand how data is generated, how it is currently used, and how systems, processes and tools can be strengthened so that our data is reliable, accessible and fit for research purposes.

You will work closely with colleagues behind the NIoT's Teacher Education Dataset (TED), helping to maintain and enhance curated datasets and explore how new sources of data can strengthen our understanding of teacher and leader development.

You will also collaborate with researchers and practitioners working through the NIoT's Professional Development Laboratory, our test-and-learn centre focused on identifying and sharing effective approaches to professional development. This role would suit someone who enjoys working at the intersection of data, research and education, and who is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to work that has real sector-wide significance.

This role is fixed term due to funding, and it is too early to comment on the possibility of a permanent position.

This is a hybrid role, with the requirement for in person working for a minimum of once a fortnight, occasionally this will be more due to business need. The role includes participation in our annual all-staff away day (including an overnight stay) and occasional national travel.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

• Commitment to the NIoT's mission and to improving outcomes through rigorous evidence, strong partnerships and thoughtful external engagement.
• Experience working with data in an education context, such as school, MAT, university, or teacher education settings.
• Experience applying data quality concepts — completeness, consistency, accuracy – in professional and/or research contexts.
• Experience of applying data governance principles in school and/or research settings.
• Experience interrogating and working with structured datasets, with or without technical coding skills.
• Familiarity with the use of qualitative and quantitative data for research purposes, as well as key issues in data interpretation such as biases and comparability.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly and take initiative in the face of new challenges.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly about data to expert and non-expert audiences, adhering to high professional standards.
• Strong ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Motivated to work at the interface of academic and professional priorities and working cultures, with a diverse team and multiple external stakeholders.

• Degree level education, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working as a teacher or in another professional role in schools, such as data manager.
• Familiarity with school data systems (MIS systems like Bromcom, SIMS, Arbor)
• Strong documentation skills such as writing data dictionaries, process documentation, and data flow mapping
• Understanding of data linking concepts and the challenges involved
• Knowledge of GDPR and data sharing in an education context
• Experience with tools like Excel, SQL, R, Python or Git Hub at a basic level
• Degree in a relevant field such as data science, information management, education, social science, or a related discipline
• Evidence of continuing professional development in data management (e.g. CDMP, or relevant training)

• Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities
• Flexible start and end working times
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working
• At least 27 days' holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years' service
• Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• A…