Job Purpose

The postholder will join a research data collection team supporting researchers based at the School of Health and Wellbeing. The postholder will undertake data collection in Scottish secondary schools as part of the Equally Safe at School Trial. This is a national evaluation of a whole-school approach to tackling sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

The role involves travel to secondary schools across Scotland to help administer an online survey to all students in years 2, 4, and 6. Tasks include preparing fieldwork materials, supporting teachers with survey logistics, explaining the purpose of the survey and answering student queries, monitoring classrooms to ensure ‘exam conditions’ for completion, and fieldwork administration. Administration in schools can be complex and logistically difficult and initiative and good judgement is required. The survey questions are also sensitive. Training will be provided.

Data collection for the Equally Safe at School project will take place in school term-time between October 2025 and end of December 2026, with most fieldwork taking place between October 2025 and end of March 2026 and a few further schools between October and December 2026. You must be available and willing to work at least 3 days per week during school term-time between October 2025 and March 2026 and be prepared to travel. A clean driving licence is preferred.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Data Collection

Working as part of a team, the post holder will be responsible for administering web-based questionnaires to students, including supporting students who may encounter IT issues or reading issues.  Adhere to defined quality standards and follow study protocol on data collection. Ensure that information (e.g. fieldwork reports) are accurately reported in project database and kept up to date.

2. Communication

The post holder will be required to communicate effectively and professionally with teachers and students in school. They will be required to regularly communicate with the Trial Manager (telephone, email, in person) about progress in relation to their duties, and to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to the study fieldwork operations.

Act as a point of contact for survey participants: provide clear advice on project processes to ensure that all participants (students and teachers) understand what is required of them. Support teachers in managing the logistics of administration and ensure that they allow students privacy to complete questionnaires.

3. Health and Safety 

Evaluate situations during fieldwork: using initiative, judgement and experience to assess any risks to participants, resolve issues and escalate to supervisors as per protocols.

During data collection the post holder should assess participants’ ability to complete surveys, including signs of discomfort, and adapt as necessary (e.g. taking breaks, stopping data collection).

Ensure own personal safety and ensure that any incidents are recorded in line with project protocols.

Adhere to the University health and safety risk assessment training and ensure full use of the Lone Worker Safety system where appropriate.

4.Project Planning

Prioritise, plan and schedule delegated activities from the ESAS Trial Manager to ensure delivery of the project within required standards and timeframe.

Ensure that all study protocols and research governance guidelines are always adhered to including safeguarding and adverse event protocols.

5. Administration

Complete project data collection and monitoring reports while supporting existing standard processes and maximising project continuity.

Execute a range of administrative tasks including conducting risk assessments, online expense forms and timesheets.

6. Development

Attend regular briefings, training and feedback sessions to ensure up-to-date knowledge relevant to the project and any changes to research processes and procedures.

When required take the lead in training peers to ensure consistency and continuation of operations across project sites.

7. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Trial Manager or Trial Administrator.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 5 or 6 [National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 2 or 3,] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar type of role.

Desirable

B1 Full, clean UK driving licence and regular access to a car.

Knowledge, Skills

Essential:

C1 Good time management and organisational skills including proactive planning, prioritising tasks and working under pressure to meet deadlines.

C2 An interest in social science or public health research.

C3 Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to engage with others and explain complex concepts in an easily understandable manner.

C4 Ability to work independently and flexibly within a multidisciplinary team on a range of complex tasks to a high standard and with a high degree of accuracy.

C5 Ability to follow project and standard protocols and Standing Operating Procedures accurately.

C6  Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree

of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.

C7 Ability to understand confidentiality and how this should be applied and an understanding of the need to comply with research governance and study protocols

C8 Good IT skills in Microsoft Office tools (e.g. database, spreadsheet, word processing, email, online video platforms).

Experience

Essential 

E1 Experience of working with children and adults in a research or similar setting and ability to make sound decisions on when to respond directly and when to escalate.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of supervising staff working to specific protocols.

F2 Experience of working in a school.

F3  Experience of community-based data collection and assisting participants to complete often complex questionnaires (on a mobile/tablet device) with accuracy and attention to detail, following health and safety protocols.

F4 Knowledge of types of bias in surveys and how to help minimise this.

F5 Knowledge of good research practice and the ethical issues surrounding research including current Data Protection Regulations and Research Governance.

Additional information:

• Study sites are outside Glasgow, and the candidate must have the ability to travel to schools, which may not be easily accessible by public transport, within the time and funding framework of the study.

• Due to travel to schools, some long days will frequently be required, including occasional overnight stays. It is essential that the candidate can work flexibly (including hours worked, project locations and team/lone working) to accommodate this.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4, £24,685 - £26,707 per annum,  pro-rated to the number of hours assigned to, and worked by, you.

10 positions available. These posts are offered on a fractional basis (41.6 hours over duration of the contract) and are fixed term until 18th December 2026.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG)

The University of Glasgow is committed to safeguarding children and protected adults by ensuring that individuals in regulated roles are appropriately vetted and monitored.

The University of Glasgow’s PVG policy aligns with the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and reflects the legal requirements effective from 1 April 2025, including the mandatory PVG Scheme membership for regulated roles.

The post for which you are applying is considered to be a regulated role under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Under the Act, individuals working in a regulated role must be a PVG Scheme member before employment. If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be conditional subject to a satisfactory PVG Scheme record check. We will be in touch regarding requirements related to this.

Further information is available at : https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-workingfor more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Monday 8th September 2025