Wellcome Trust funded studentship in Psychology

Applications are invited for a Wellcome Trust/ESRC 4 year fixed-term PhD studentship, on the research project: 'Examining the role of youth educators as learners and teachers in informal STEM learning sites'.

About the studentship

The studentship will be supervised by Professor Adam Rutland in the Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Dr Mark Winterbottom in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. The studentship will be based in London and will start in October 2018.

The successful PhD student will work with other researchers on a large multi-site UK-US collaborative longitudinal project evaluating youth educator programs in informal science learning sites (museums, science centres) funded in the UK by the Wellcome Trust/ESRC. This study involves collaborating with colleagues at the University of South Carolina, USA, who are funded by the National Science Foundation. The PhD research will focus specifically on interactions involving youth educators and visitors in informal science settings, and the psychological impact of these interactions on the science learning, engagement and attitudes of the visitors. During the project, the student will be expected to collect and code observational data and conduct surveys with children, adolescents and adults.

This project will be well suited to students with a background in psychology or education, together with an interest in developmental psychology and science education in informal settings. Previous experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods is desirable, training in relevant data coding and analysis will be provided. The student will be encouraged and supported to present their findings at academic and practitioner conferences and to write up their findings for publication. The student will also be encouraged to develop his or her own research ideas during the PhD and will be expected to contribute fully to the research group and wider research community.

This award provides annual funding to cover UK/EU tuition fees and stipend. For students who pay UK/EU tuition fees, the award will cover the tuition fees in full plus a stipend (starting at £22,278 per annum in the first year). Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but the applicant must make appropriate arrangements to cover the difference between the overseas and UK tuition fee.

It is essential that the applicant has experience in conducting psychological or educational research, data analysis, and academic writing. It is desirable that the applicant has successfully completed a Masters degree in Psychology or Education, or is enrolled in such a Masters degree that will be awarded prior to October 2018. The applicant's academic excellence, and other indicators of motivation for a research career will be strongly considered.

The Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London is a thriving centre of excellence in research with over 150 postgraduates (including PhD and MSc students across 7 postgraduate programmes), offering a lively research community and excellent facilities. It is part of the South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) consortium, a Doctoral Training Partnership funded by the ESRC, in which PhD students receive training from leading researchers and training in core research skills, as well as innovative advanced training.

Applications

Applications must be received by 5pm (UK time) on Wednesday, 17 January 2018 and should be clearly marked ‘Rutland Wellcome/ESRC Studentship 2018’. Please submit your application using our online application form.

Please ensure you include a CV, personal statement and references; applications without these elements will not be considered.

Interviews will be held in late January 2018, and the successful applicant will be informed as soon as possible thereafter.

Apply for the Wellcome Trust studentship

If you have any enquiries and or would like further information please contact Professor Adam Rutland.