Research Assistant(UK Visa Sponsorship Available)

Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant to join a UKRI-funded project titled “Predictors of listening and reading comprehension in multilingual and monolingual children: do text type and modality matter?”

This collaborative project is led by Professor Ludovica Serratrice (University of Reading) and Dr Alessandra Valentini (University of Greenwich), alongside Dr Stephanie Martin Vega (Postdoctoral Research Associate).

The study explores comprehension of fiction and non-fiction texts — both spoken and written — in Year 3 multilingual and monolingual children in East London.

This is a 17-month full-time fixed-term role, beginning in January 2026. Data collection will take place across three primary schools within a single Learning Trust in Newham, East London.

Normal working hours will be 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., aligning with school hours, although occasional late afternoon attendance at school events (e.g. parents’ evenings) may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with schools and the project team to recruit multilingual and monolingual Year 3 pupils.
• Support caregivers on school premises in completing language background questionnaires (Q-BEx).
• Administer standardised assessments of language (vocabulary, grammar) and cognition (memory, attention) in English.
• Conduct comprehension testing in both oral and written modalities.
• Score and record all assessments following established protocols.
• Manage, store, and archive data securely in accordance with data protection regulations.
• Contribute to communication and dissemination of findings to participating schools and families.
• Attend regular project meetings and maintain effective communication with team members.
• Participate in departmental seminars and relevant training.
• Complete all mandatory University training, including safeguarding.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• This position involves regulated activity and therefore requires:
• An Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.
• Completion of safeguarding training and adherence to the University’s Safeguarding Children & Adults at Risk Policy.
• Reporting of any safeguarding concerns using the official Safeguarding Incident Form.
• Compliance with safeguarding responsibilities as outlined in the job description and personal specification.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
• For further information on safeguarding and DBS procedures, please visit:
• Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy (GOV.UK)
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks (GOV.UK)

Visa Information

Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker Visa route, applicants who require visa sponsorship are advised to check their eligibility via the Home Office website
before applying.
Please note that the University can only discuss visa routes with candidates who are invited to interview.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Reading is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We support the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality, the Race Equality Charter, and LGBT+ inclusion, and are recognised as a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2).

Applications for part-time, job-share, or flexible working arrangements are welcome and will be considered in line with business needs.