Research Associate, Survey Research

Alan Turing Institute London United Kingdom Research Programmes
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Company Description

The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

Position

The public policy research programme works alongside policy-makers to explore how data-driven public service provision and policy innovation might help solve long running societal problems. We also work hand-in-hand with public sector organisations and citizens to develop practice-based ethical standards for the responsible development and use of data science and AI. Our dynamic group works closely with the UK government, as well as international organisations like the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission.

In addition to our work with government and regulators, we carry out interdisciplinary academic research on a wide variety of topics, from identifying policy priorities using agent computing to quantifying online hate speech. Our research projects rely entirely on public funds and their primary aim is to contribute to the Institute’s mission of making great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Alan Turing Institute is kick-starting a six-month research project to study national attitudes to current and future uses of data science and AI. Focusing on the UK, the research will inform strategic priorities for the country’s research and development efforts, and will be used as evidence to underpin the development of the Institute’s long term public engagement strategy from 22/23 onwards. The post-holder will have full-time responsibilities for pursuing this research in collaboration with Professor Helen Margetts and Dr Cosmina Dorobantu from the Turing’s Public Policy Programme, as well as Professor Patrick Sturgis from the London School of Economics. The post-holder will also liaise at relevant times with the Head of Events and Engagement and Public Engagement Manager to ensure that the outputs of this research project inform the development of the Institute’s public engagement strategy.

This is a post-doctoral level appointment, suitable for an early career researcher with solid theoretical foundations in survey research methods as well as experience designing survey experiments and analysing the resulting data. We will consider applicants who have recently finished or are in the final stages of their PhDs. The successful candidate will join the Public Policy Programme and will be a part of a large multidisciplinary team focused on helping the public sector take advantage of the latest generation of data-intensive technologies. The postholder will report to the Director of the Turing’s Public Policy Programme.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The successful candidate will:

  • Lead the identification of areas that the survey should focus on. This will include:
  • Conducting a review of similar initiatives within the UK and beyond and ensuring that the Turing’s work in this area will complement other data collection efforts
  • Producing a mapping of all the areas that a national attitudes survey on current and future uses of data science and AI could cover
  • Engaging with stakeholders within the Turing (the Institute’s senior research leadership, the public engagement team) and beyond (key government and civil society partners) to understand which areas the survey should prioritise
  • Lead the design of the survey, which will include:
  • Developing the questionnaire, by paying close attention to question wording, order, and response categories, and testing drafts of the questionnaire as part of a collaborative and iterative process
  • Identifying the most appropriate data collection practices, which will include ensuring that the sample is respresentative of the UK population as well as choosing and working with a polling agency to conduct the survey
  • Sharing the outputs of the survey. This will include:
  • Making the raw data public, including its limitations
  • Conducting descriptive and multivariate analysis of the data
  • Drafting a report, in liaison with the communications and engagement directorate, that brings together the main findings of the work and highlights the survey’s main findings
  • Presenting the research findings at internal and external conferences, workshops, and seminars.
  • Work closely with the Communications and Engagement team to ensure that the outputs of the research that are targeting audiences beyond academia are accessible, on brand, and innovative

Requirements

  • PhD (or close to completion) in a social science discipline that provides strong theoretical foundations in survey research methods and data analysis.
  • Experience of designing survey experiments and analysing the resulting data
  • Solid methodological foundations in experimental design, sampling and measurement theory, conjoint analysis, and causal inference
  • Familiarity with and interest in AI technologies, their areas of application, as well as their associated benefits and risks
  • Excellent writing skills and proven ability to communicate complex, specialist or conceptual information/research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
  • Diplomatic, able to communicate and liaise with multiple teams.
  • Proactive and self-motivated, able to retain good judgement and amend plans in a fast-paced environment
  • A proven ability to collaborate successfully in a multidisciplinary environment and to manage delivery of projects

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the duties, responsibilities and person specification.

Other information

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This FULL TIME post is offered on a FIXED TERM basis for six months. The annual salary is £35,000 - £41,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £34,510 per annum

Due to the nature of this role, the preferred candidate will be able to commence this appointment immediately and hold the right to work in the UK.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3970 2148 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Wednesday 9th February 2022 at 23:59pm

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership teal to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.

In line with current Government guidance, most of our organisation is currently working remotely. When Government guidance changes, we will trial a Hybrid Working Model for an initial six-month trial period. During this period, staff will be expected to work at our British Library office for a number of days per month, dependent on the requirements of the role. As a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month, but the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.