Job Description and Person
Specification
Last updated:
October 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Academic Unit/Service:
Electronics and Computer Science
Faculty:
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Career Pathway:
Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research pathway
Posts responsible to:
Principal Investigator
Level:
4
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Office-based/Non Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To undertake usability and accessibility research, evaluation and reporting in line with the SlideWiki project.
To undertake R&D around alternative formats and assistive technologies to enhance and promote inclusive
pre and post 16 educational content and learning design. To participate in collaboration and dissemination of
Slidewiki in pre and post 16 education including to disabled users, teachers, academics and other
stakeholders.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To undertake usability, accessibility testing and interface evaluation and research using
multiple platforms in line with the Slidewiki project.
30 %
2.
To undertake R&D around alternative formats to enhance and promote inclusive pre and
post 16 educational content, universal learning design and innovative assistive
technologies.
20 %
3.
To collaborate with developers to ensure assistive technologies are compatible with
reading, browsing and authoring learning resources including multilingual and STEM
content.
20 %
4.
To participate in the evaluation of the use of Slidewiki for course delivery to disabled
students and adults, teachers, academics and other potential users in terms of inclusive
learning and accessibility.
10 %
5.
To engage with external stakeholders including schools, HEIs and vocational training
organisations, companies and SMEs to provide feedback and evaluations which includes
disabled children, students and adults, teachers, academics and other stakeholders.
20 %
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
6.
% Time
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post
holder.
Internal and external relationships
Perform collaborative research with other university partners and with the Project’s industrial/academic
collaborators.
Collaboration with developers to build evaluation techniques and assistive technologies for the enhancement
of an inclusive multilingual teaching and learning environment
Present reports to project funders and SlideWiki boards.
Liaise with external SlideWiki collaborators and other research projects.
Special Requirements
To be available to participate in trials, meetings and online collaboration as required.
To attend national and international conferences/events for the purpose of dissemination.
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
2
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
PhD or equivalent professional
qualifications with experience in the field of
disability including cognitive and hidden
disabilities and assistive technology.
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Detailed understanding and knowledge of
assistive technologies and alternative
format development for multiple platforms
include mobile and smart devices, ebooks
and MOOCs
Expertise in accessibility evaluation,
understanding of required standards and
usability issues for inclusive learning
practices.
Strong background in the development of
open source assistive and STEM
technologies
Experience of piloting and evaluation of
technologies in schools, post- 16
education, companies and vocational
training organisations.
In depth knowledge of marketing,
dissemination and promotion of innovative
technologies based project to aid adoption
by internal and external stakeholders
Planning and
organising
Able to organise own project activities to
deadline and quality standards
Problem solving
and initiative
Able to develop understanding of complex
problems and apply in-depth knowledge to
address them
Able to develop original
techniques/methods
Management
and teamwork
Able to work effectively in a
multidisciplinary team, understanding the
strengths and weaknesses of others to help
teamwork development.
Experience in working collaboratively with
external stakeholders in particular with
developers, companies, education
providers, vocational trainers and other
stakeholders.
Communicating
and influencing
Communicate new and complex
information effectively, both verbally and in
writing, engaging the interest and
enthusiasm of the target audience
Able to present project results at group
meetings and conferences
Work proactively with colleagues in other
work areas/institutions, contributing
specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes
Other skills and
behaviours
Understanding of relevant Health & Safety
issues
Positive attitude to colleagues and students
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
3
Special
requirements
Able to attend national and international
conferences/events to present project
results
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
4