Job Description

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Researcher

12 month fixed term contract

Manchester: £35,000 to £38,000

Guildford: £36,400 to £39,500

Hybrid working – min of 2 days per week in the office

Curious about how assessments shape education and life chances?

Your research could directly influence how exams are designed, improving fairness, accessibility and innovation across the education system. At AQA, your work will go beyond theory. You will contribute to research that shapes real assessments used by students across the UK.

This is an ideal opportunity if you are looking to take your first step into applied research and gain hands-on experience across multiple projects. You will be able to develop your skills with the support of experienced researchers, training and mentoring

What you’ll be doing

You will join a growing Research and Evaluation team, supporting a mix of projects focused on digital, vocational and general qualifications.

In this role, you will:

• Work across 2 to 3 live research projects, collaborating with experienced researchers and project leads

• Carry out literature reviews, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and turn findings into clear, meaningful insights

• Contribute to reports, presentations and research outputs shared both internally and externally

• Get involved in school visits, observations and surveys to bring research to life

• Present your work at conferences, seminars and events, building your confidence and professional profile

You will have the space to work autonomously, while still being supported as part of a collaborative team environment.

What’s in it for you

• The chance to make a meaningful impact on education while growing your career.  

• A real sense of purpose where your work will influence national education.  

• Opportunities for growth and professional development.  

• Being a part of AQA’s inclusive and values-led culture with the opportunity to join a variety of employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity, Interfaith and more.

• A benefits package including up to 11.5 percent pension contribution, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.  

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service, along with discretionary Christmas closure days.  

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• A Master’s degree (completed or in progress) in education, psychology, social sciences or a related field

• Experience using qualitative and/or quantitative research methods

• Strong communication skills, able to explain research clearly to different audiences

• A collaborative mindset, balanced with the ability to manage your own work

• Curiosity and critical thinking, especially about how assessments work and their wider impact

• Experience of using R would be beneficial

You will also be someone who is adaptable, open to change, and comfortable working in a fast-moving research environment.

Diversity and inclusion statement  

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.  

Ready to apply?

If you enjoy exploring questions, analysing data, and turning insight into impact, this is your chance to develop your research career in a meaningful way.

Please upload your most recent CV with a cover letter to outline your suitability for this Researcher role at AQA

Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 5 July

Interviews will be in person in the Guildford or Manchester office, whichever is most local to you, in the week beginning 20 July

Please note that an Enhanced DBS will be required for the successful candidate.

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Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Purpose:

• The Researcher will work alongside a team of educational assessment experts to support the delivery of research and development projects.
• This will require developing and applying specialist knowledge of educational assessment and related research methodologies to deliver research tasks independently but within the context of collaborative projects and with appropriate guidance from the project owner.
• As a technical expert, the Researcher will be responsible for aspects of research projects such as carrying out literature reviews, analysing quantitative or qualitative data using specialised software, and contributing to and delivering presentations and reports.Landscape:

The Researcher sits within the Research and Evaluation team. The team sits within the Assessment Research and Innovation business area and carries out qualitative and quantitative educational research with the goal of supporting AQA develop innovative, valid and inclusive assessments, whether on paper or on screen, and lead thinking in the sector. Our research programme defines our active areas of interest: accessibility, fairness and ED&I; validity and innovation; marking, grading and standards; AI in education and assessment. Our team’s background is in the social and natural sciences and encompasses a broad spectrum of areas of expertise. The successful candidate will have access to a variety of training, development, and mentoring opportunities.

Activities:
Applying methodological expertise to support research design
Carrying out aspects of quantitative or qualitative research (e.g. literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, reports) using appropriate software, developing skills acquired in postgraduate studies or recent experience
Working in teams with Lead Researchers and Research Fellows to contribute to the successful delivery of projects
Developing up-to-date knowledge of the educational assessment landscape and relevant literature
Ensuring compliance with AQA’s policies and procedures, with particular regard to Ethics and Data Protection
Contributing to research impact and engagement through report writing and other forms of dissemination and communication, beginning to develop a public voice in the assessment research community that contributes to the maintenance and enhancement of AQA’s reputation in educational assessment
Contributing to the ongoing development of the team’s research and development practice, promoting a positive team culture.

Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to have knowledge/experience of):
An undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree (or nearly completed) in psychology, education, statistics or a related discipline where relevant research experience and methodological expertise can be demonstrated. Alternatively, an equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience
Knowledge and developing practice of postgraduate-level qualitative or quantitative research methods for the social sciences
Demonstrable ability to communicate research findings to a range of stakeholders and in a variety of formats (written and spoken forms)
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
To succeed:you will have the ability to think critically about how exams and tests are made, how they work, and how they affect education and life chances.
You will be methodical with excellent attention to detail, capable of understanding and synthesising complex, diverse and incomplete information and able to present reasoned arguments
You will have the ability to build strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders
You will be able to manage your work and meet deadlines

(Desirable) Some experience of contributing to applied research in an academic or commercial setting
(Desirable) Principles of educational or psychological assessment (e.g. validity and reliability)
(Desirable) Principles of educational testing and test development (e.g. classical test theory, item response theory, psychometrics)