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Do you want to find out what it’s like working in research? We have got the job for you!
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:
- There are 13 vacancies on offer, each with their own unique project to work on (see below for more info on the projects)
- 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: midnight on Tuesday 28th March
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
- Interested in understanding divisional training with HSS & LSSJ? You’ll support a research project aimed at understanding the environmental barriers to academic engagement with Research and Innovation training and development opportunities. 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 the link between Endometriosis and Exercise? You’ll support a small pilot study to draw preliminary findings on the impact young women’s (<35 years) experience of endometriosis symptoms and diagnosis on their ability to engage in regular physical activity and exercise. Endometriosis can be a chronic and debilitating condition for women causing chronic pain, fatigue and impacting mental health. Physical activity is an important and protective health behaviour for all. Apply here DESIRABLE: studying a degree within a field of health or psychology
- Have you ever thought about the Linguistics of Conspiracy Theories? You’ll working on a project to explore the linguistic features of the expression of conspiracy theories in social media, and to examine how these might help to understand the psychological underpinnings of conspiracy beliefs and their spread in online social media. (2 x positions available)Apply here Suitable for students studying Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering or Mathematics
- Interested in understanding behaviour towards refugees? You’ll be working on a project to investigate whether reflecting on refugees’ mental states, emotions and thoughts encourages prosocial intentions and decreases hostile attitudes towards refugees, especially in those that see themselves as less similar or close to refugees (i.e., by activating “other” related representations). Apply here Suitable for: one of the relevant disciplines (Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Business Psychology etc.) (ESSENTIAL)
- Have you considered the how the agricultural sector can become net zero? You’ll work to support an ongoing project that is utilising analytical techniques to enable the agricultural sector move towards net zero. You’ll work alongside industrial partners and farmers to become an expert in processing the waste streams and work alongside the research team at the University of Kent to develop analytical protocols to understand the chemical content of the waste. Apply here open to NATS students only
- 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 regardless of year of study. You must have at least one more year of undergraduate study remaining at Kent.