Research internships at HEA
As a national and independent organisation we are at the forefront of innovation in learning and
teaching in HE. Our vision is for UK HE to be recognised nationally and internationally for its pursuit
and attainment of excellence. Our work is focused on bringing together individuals and organisations
in HE to continually enhance teaching practice, maximise student learning and inspire the pursuit of
excellence in learner-focused HE teaching. See more at: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/about-hea/
We have 2 intern opportunities for curious, enthusiastic and hardworking graduates
looking to gain work experience of applied policy research. The posts are aimed at recent
graduates looking to gain their first paid experience of applied research.
We are offering you the opportunity to work in our Directorate of Education and Professional
Practice alongside our Head of Social Sciences and research staff. Your internship will involve
contributing to a literature review and rapid evidence audit of existing HEA research and insight. You
will also assist with basic analysis of survey data and other datasets. Key tasks you will gain
experience of include: desk research, literature reviews, interviewing staff about research projects
they have been involved in, basic data analysis, report writing, and gathering data to inform our
research and marketing strategy for the coming year. You can learn more about the research HEA
conducts and commissions here: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/workstreams-research/research-andpolicy and see more information about our three major surveys (UKES, PTES and PRES) here:
https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/consultancy-services/surveys.
You must have (or be studying for) a post graduate qualification in applied social research/research
methods or be able to demonstrate that you have studied & used applied research methods as part of
your undergraduate degree. You need to be comfortable with desk research, literature reviews,
information retrieval and critical appraisal and for one of the roles have experience of working with
quantitative data.
Internships can be full time (35 hours per week) or part time (minimum 14 hours per week)
for a period of 6-8 weeks.
This provides a great opportunity to work in a lively, well-regarded third HE sector body gaining
experience of real world research and to learn more about key policy issues in the HE sector.
Please complete the intern checklist (attached) and return it to us with your 2 page CV (including the
names of two referees) and a short personal statement (500 words max.) outlining why you think
you would be suitable for an intern role.
Send your applications to recruitment@heacademy.ac.uk by 5pm on 27th August 2015. If you would
like any further information please email kandy.woodfield@heacademy.ac.uk.
We expect interviews to take place during the week commencing 31st August and we would be
looking for successful candidates to start working with us in York from w/c 7th September 2015.
Higher Education Academy - Job Description
Job Title
Salary band:
Location:
Job purpose
Research Intern x2 (6-8 weeks duration)
Academy Grade B (£16,952) Part time considered.
York.
The Research Intern will work with the Head of Social Sciences, Research
Manager & other Academy colleagues on a variety of research tasks to support
HEAs research activities.
Principal
Responsibilities
1. Undertaking desk based research including literature and evidence reviews.
2. Undertake basic thematic analysis of HEA research reports, literature and
evidence.
3. Create a database of current and recent HEA research projects relating to
strategic themes.
4. Undertake data management and basic data analysis of a variety of
quantitative datasets using Excel and SPSS.
5. Consult with staff across the organisation about research projects and
initiatives undertaken in recent years.
6. Support the production of bids for research funding, publication of research
reports and the process of research dissemination.
7. Produce short written briefings/papers/progress reports as required.
8. Any other duties commensurate with the grade.
Head of Social Sciences
Responsible to:
Responsible
for:
Working
Relationships
NA
Internally, with the Head of Social Sciences and other colleagues and teams
across the Academy including our Surveys team and our Marketing team.
Person Specification
Essential
Experience



Experience of applied social
research (collecting and analysing
quantitative or qualitative data)
Experience of using different
tools and approaches to search
for and identify relevant
data/literature
Experience of reading and
summarising research presented
in a variety of different formats
(reports, articles, papers)
Desirable




Experience of database management
Experience of basic quantitative
analysis (of survey data or secondary
datasets) using Excel, SPSS or other
software
Experience of undertaking literature
reviews and/or evidence reviews
Experience of qualitative data collection
and basic analysis (interviews, focus
groups, thematic analysis)
Knowledge and
understanding

You must have familiarity with a
range of applied research
methods and have studied social
research methods as part of
your undergraduate or
postgraduate degree.

A postgraduate research qualification
Skills

Evidence of solid research skills
(qualitative or quantitative)
Interpretation skills: able to
interpret simple numerical
tables/themes in qualitative data,
describe findings and make
recommendations
Excellent computer skills,
including use of MS Office
packages (Excel, Word,
PowerPoint) and internet search
engines
Resourceful and able to work on
own initiative, prioritise and
manage own time within a
framework of continual change
to ensure optimal use of time
and resources under own
control.
Good numeracy and IT skills to
analyse, interpret and
communicate quantitative data.
Excellent written, presentation
and verbal communication skills


Data cleaning and manipulation
Data analysis using descriptive
statistics and basic regression analysis
techniques





Internship application: Higher Education Academy
Minimum requirement:
You must have (or be studying for) a post graduate qualification in applied social research/research
methods or have studied research methods as part of your undergraduate degree. Please provide
details of your qualification/course of study detailing the research elements in the space below:
Please indicate your knowledge & practical experience of each skill below by ticking the appropriate box. If you don’t
have knowledge or experience, please leave the relevant cell blank.
You should be able to demonstrate the following:

a good understanding of literature & documentary review methods: using
different tools and approaches to search for and identify relevant
data/literature

experience of reading and summarising research presented in a variety of
different formats (reports, articles, papers)

interpretation skills: able to interpret simple numerical tables/themes in
qualitative data, describe findings and make recommendations

excellent organising and planning skills

excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills in English

proficiency in the use of IT tools (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and
internet search tools

resourcefulness, agility and the ability to meet deadlines and produce good
quality outputs with limited supervision
Desirable

Quantitative data collection and basic analysis (of survey data or secondary
datasets) using SPSS or other software

Qualitative data collection and basic analysis (interviews, focus groups,
thematic analysis)
Knowledge &
understanding
Practical
experience
Knowledge &
understanding
Practical
experience