Summer Research Assistant roles

Do you want to find out what it’s like working in research? We have got the job for you!
Paid opportunities!
Deadline Extended to Tuesday 28 March

This summer sees the return of the Summer Vacation Research Assistant Scheme. The scheme is a paid opportunity to work over the summer and gain research experience. Find out more below:

Scheme Facts:

  • All vacancies are paid at £10.55 (if you’re under 23)/£10.92 (if you are 23 and over)
  • The positions vary in hours of work per week (e.g. 35 hours per week across 4 weeks – finishing by 31st July 2023)
  • The opportunities are between 4 and 7 weeks in duration, with some projects being campus based, others hybrid, or remote
  • You will gain fantastic experience in research
  • You will work alongside Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Assistants and Professional Services staff at the University of Kent
  • Closing date: deadline extended to midnight on Tuesday 28 March 2023

 

The Projects – Open to students studying any subject:

  • Interested in Artificial Intelligence? You’ll support the creation of a face database using AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered art applications, which will be diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and facial features. The Student Research Assistant will also assist with the designing and running of a study that will test people’s perceptions (e.g., age) and impressions (e.g., attractiveness) of the AI-generated faces. Apply here

 

  • Interested in Career Stories? You’ll shed light on career pathways and barriers for Professional Service staff within Higher Education (at Kent and beyond). The project gives an insight into the various jobs that exist within Higher Education and is the first of its kind to systematically explore PS staff motivation for the work they do, what they would like to be recognised for, and at what pay grades they get stuck. Apply here
  • How about increasing collaboration on funding applications between divisions? You’ll be gathering information on research expertise in HSS and LSSJ by looking at the web profiles of researchers and their publications on the university repository; analysing areas of overlap; and creating a database, whilst also creating reports and gathering lists of funders Apply here

 

  • Do you want to know more about Moral Psychology? You’ll be working to integrate recent psychological research with different philosophical accounts of what it means to be a moral agent, this interdisciplinary and mixed-method project will advance the understanding of when we ascribe agency to artificial agents and in turn how this influences trust in AI. Apply here

 

  • Have you considered how to support individuals with vestibular disorders? You’ll support a project that aims to develop a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for use with people with inner ear balance (vestibular) disorders. The vestibular system helps keep us balanced, orientated, and moving. It consists of the inner ear and pathways in the brain. Damage to these structures can evoke vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness. Apply here

 

  • Have you thought about public health infographics? You’ll be researching how young people experience living with genetic heart disease and/or digital cardiac devices. You’ll support by designing and producing high-quality infographics that explore public health statistics and public health understandings relating to young people aged 12-25 who live with heart conditions. Apply here Suitable for those studying: Any degree in a subject that includes statistical analysis

 

  • Interested in Sustainability in social care policies?  You’ll be supporting the project aims to explore the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability in policy documents related to the social care sector in England and Wales, published by public bodies and key stakeholders between 2019–2023. Apply here Suitable for students studying: Politics, Economics, or with a documented interest and/or experience in politics, social care, and sustainability issues 

Eligibility: open to all University of Kent undergraduates in their 2nd year, or about to embark upon, or returning from an intercollating year (Year In Industry, Year In a Subject, Year Abroad), or 3rd year about to embark upon an intercollating year (Year In a Subject). You must have at least one more year of undergraduate study remaining at Kent.