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Become a research assistant on That's Me!

VR experiment About the Project 

  • That’s Me! is a collaborative project between BCU and the University of Wolverhampton. 
  • It is one of 13 projects nationwide, funded by Research England and the Office for Students, awarded as part of a nationwide programme to address systemic inequalities faced by Global Majority students in postgraduate research, with a specific focus on the experiences of domiciled students.
  • The BCU project team comprises over 30 postgraduate researchers, academics and professional services staff, organised into action research teams focused on activities relating to routes in, through and out of postgraduate study.
  • The Project is collaborating with a range of employers, including the NHS and West Midlands Combined Authority, Brandauer, Active Well-being Society, and Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, to develop a regional talent pool and support PGR careers. 
  • The project ends in December 2025, and after a year of intensive research design and fieldwork, the project is moving into a delivery phase, which will involve delivering over 30 outputs and interventions to transform BCU’s postgraduate research environment. 
  • You can read more about the project here. 

Who can apply? 

We are seeking up to five domiciled Global Majority postgraduate research students to join the project’s secondment scheme as Research Assistants. 

Essential Criteria 

  • Identify as a domiciled Global Majority postgraduate research student.
  • Be undertaking a doctoral degree at BCU. 
  • Have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 
  • Strong teamworking, research, analysis and reporting skills. 
  • Ability to manage time efficiently and meet project deadlines. 

Desirable Criteria 

  • Demonstrable commitment to postgraduate researcher community
  • Quantitative and qualitative research experience. 
  • Other relevant ability including:

collaborating with external partners 

organising research and events 

managing and developing content for online platforms 

Report writing 

What will Research Assistants do? 

It is expected Research Assistantships will take place between March and July 2025. 

Research Assistants will collaborate with Action Research Teams to deliver activities related to That’s Me! outputs, with projects expected to include: 

Project Name

Summary

Indicative Hours 

1. Data Analysis

Apply and develop your quantitative research skills to support analysis of institutional data relating to postgraduate research to help BCU identify best practices and areas for development.

40 

2. Social Media Campaigns 

Support the design and delivery of social media campaigns to celebrate BCU’s postgraduate research community, address the underrepresentation of Global Majority students in postgraduate research, and connect postgraduate researchers and regional employers. 

20 

3. Case Studies 

Produce case studies, blogs and other media about your postgraduate research experience to form part of the project’s case studies spotlighting Global Majority postgraduate researchers. 

20 

4. Working with Employers 

Work with the Employer Engagement Officer to contribute to the project’s work with regional employers, including in the context of placement and training opportunities for postgraduate researchers, and supporting the project’s bespoke Careers Series for postgraduate researchers - Beyond the Doctorate. 

40 

5. BCU’s Project Portfolio

Through document review and participant research, explore how BCU has supported Global Majority-focused doctoral research projects, with a view to producing a report that makes recommendations about how BCU can enhance its investment in doctorates for the Global Majority. 

60 

6. Community Engagement 

Collaborate with key stakeholders to design and deliver community engagement events that speak to the mission of the That’s Me project!

40 

Why Apply?

As a Research Assistant you will: 

  • Be paid at an hourly rate of £26.83 
  • Work flexibly around your existing commitments. 
  • Be part of a nationally recognised project that aims to tackle systemic inequalities and transform institutional cultures. 
  • Gain experience of interdisciplinary work, cross-institutional project delivery, and sector governance. 
  • Develop transferrable skills, including teamwork, project management, research, analysis and drafting. 
  • Have access to resources to support assigned activity and opportunities to support your professional development.
  • Network with your peers, senior academics and university leaders. 

Making an Application 

To apply, please complete the application form by February 10 2025, at 23:45. You will be asked to: 

  • Summarize your suitability for the role and the specific skills you would bring to it (up to 500 words) 
  • Upload a current CV (limited to 2 pages A4) 
  • Rank the projects you’d like to work on, in order of preference. 

For alternative application formats, please contact amy.mckenzie@bcu.ac.uk

Applications will be reviewed by a panel from the That’s Me! leadership team, and all applicants will be notified of outcomes by the end of February 2025