Research Assistant Position at the University of Reading, UK (Full-Time, £36,636/year)

📍 Location: Whiteknights Campus, Reading, United Kingdom
💼 Department: School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences
💰 Salary: £36,636 per annum
⏰ Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term (17 months)
📅 Application Deadline: 3 November 2025
🗓️ Interview Date: 14 November 2025
👩‍🔬 Job Reference: SRF52008

About the Opportunity

The University of Reading, in collaboration with the University of Greenwich, invites applications for a Research Assistant role in the Clinical Language Sciences Division. This position is part of the prestigious UKRI-funded project titled “Predictors of Listening and Reading Comprehension in Multilingual and Monolingual Children: Do Text Type and Modality Matter?”

This project, led by Professor Ludovica Serratrice (University of Reading) and Dr. Alessandra Valentini (University of Greenwich), explores how children in Year 3 comprehend fiction and non-fiction texts across spoken and written formats.

The successful applicant will work closely with children, teachers, and families across three primary schools in Newham, East London, contributing directly to valuable research on multilingual learning and child language development.

Key Responsibilities

As a Research Assistant, you will play a vital role in all stages of this study, including:

• Recruiting multilingual and monolingual Year 3 pupils in collaboration with local schools.
• Administering assessments covering vocabulary, grammar, memory, and attention.
• Supporting caregivers in completing language background questionnaires (Q-BEx).
• Recording and scoring data according to strict research protocols.
• Managing datasets to ensure full compliance with UK data protection standards.
• Assisting with outreach, including communicating findings to families and schools.
• Participating in research meetings, seminars, and departmental events to enhance your professional development.

Data collection will primarily occur during school hours (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM), with occasional attendance at evening school events.

Visa & Eligibility Information

Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship should verify their eligibility through the UK Home Office website. The University can only discuss visa routes with candidates invited for interviews due to the complexity of sponsorship procedures.

Safeguarding Commitment

This role involves direct engagement with children and is therefore subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including the child barred list).
The University of Reading is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates will be required to:

• Complete all safeguarding training.
• Follow the University’s Safeguarding Policy at all times.
• Report any safeguarding concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately.

This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Diversity, Inclusion & Equality

The University of Reading proudly supports:

• The Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality.
• The Race Equality Charter.
• LGBT+ inclusion initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2), the university welcomes job-share, part-time, and flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs.

Application Details

📅 Closing Date: 3 November 2025 (23:59 UK Time)
🗓️ Interview Date: 14 November 2025
🧾 Contract Duration: 17 months (starting January 2026)
📍 Work Location: Whiteknights Campus, Reading, and schools in Newham, East London

For further inquiries, contact:

• Prof. Ludovica Serratrice – Professor of Multilingualism
  📧 Email: l.serratrice@reading.ac.uk
• Dr. Alessandra Valentini – Lecturer in Psychology
  📧 Email: a.valentini@greenwich.ac.uk

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to:

• Work on a high-impact UKRI-funded research project.
• Collaborate with leading experts in multilingual language development.
• Gain hands-on experience in child language assessment and data management.
• Contribute to groundbreaking academic research shaping future education policy.

Whether you are an early-career researcher or a recent graduate in psychology, linguistics, or education, this role offers a meaningful way to advance your research career in the UK.

👉 Apply Now: https://jobs.reading.ac.uk/DecideInternalExternal/DecideInternalExternal?JobId=24830