Research Assistant in Psychology

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The role

Spatial abilities include the ability to understand the spatial properties of objects and to mentally visualise objects and problems. Spatial abilities in childhood predict adult expertise in STEM, and spatial training has been shown to be effective in improving children’s mathematics competence. This project is a partnership between Prof. Emily Farran, Director of the Cognition, Genes and Developmental Variability (CoGDeV) lab (lead unit), an internationally recognised centre for spatial-mathematics research and impact, Dr. Cath Gripton, Associate Director of the Observatory for Mathematical Education, Dr. Sue Gifford, Chair of the Early Childhood Maths Group and Chair of the Royal Society's Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education Primary and Early Years Expert Panel, and Prof. Camilla Gilmore, Director of the ESRC Centre for Early Mathematics Learning. 

Drawing on our existing ECMG Spatial Reasoning Toolkit, a set of professional development resources developed for practitioners working with young children, you will be part of a team completing a Randomised Control Trial of the ECMG Spatial Reasoning Toolkit targeted at 3- to 4-year-olds and their nursery settings. Your primary role is to support engagement and recruitment of nursery settings to the programme. This involves following an engagement, marketing and recruitment plan, building networks, engaging stakeholders, creating and organising engagement materials such a webinars, recruitment flyers and social media advertising, and keeping a recruitment log. You will also support the wider team in the development of intervention material and in planning the intervention phase of the project.

This is a fixed-term post starting in March 2027 and running until September 2027.

About you

You will be part of a strong team of experts in spatial cognition and mathematical learning at the interface between research and practice. You will have a BSc or equivalent qualification in Psychology or a related subject. You will be a strong team member with excellent communication and organisational skills, experience of supporting engagement or recruitment activities and in following research protocols. 

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV & cover letter via the University website.

You are welcome to contact Prof. Emily Farran (e.farran@surrey.ac.uk) if you would like further information or to discuss the post.

Further details

For more information and to apply online, please download the further details and click on the 'apply online' button above.

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