NB: Please reply to the names mentioned in the advert or further particulars, NOT to the sender
STATISTICIAN
£20,044 - £30,002
(placement on scale according to qualifications and experience)
The Statistics Research and Analysis Group is seeking one or more qualified and enthusiastic statisticians to join our team of dynamic individuals working on a variety of research projects in cooperation with research staff throughout the NFER. A large part of its work depends critically on high quality statistical analysis, carried out by project statisticians.
You will: be well-qualified in statistics, including the use of survey analysis and regression techniques; have a practical and well-organised approach to the analysis of data; work quickly and accurately to meet deadlines; be able to communicate effectively, both with researchers and with other statisticians; work well as a member of a team; ideally have experience of work in an area related to children's services, not necessarily education.
The benefits of working at the Foundation include a pleasant environment, generous pension arrangements, good support for staff development and 30 days paid leave per year, over and above Bank holidays and discretionary days.
For an informal discussion, ring Ian Schagen on 01753 637397.
For further details and an application form please contact (01753) 747207 (24 hour answer phone), e-mail [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> , write to The Personnel Office, NFER, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ, or visit http://http://www.nfer.ac.uk/about-nfer/job-vacancies/job-vacancies_home.cfmus/vacancy.asp <http://http://www.nfer.ac.uk/about-nfer/job-vacancies/job-vacancies_home.cfmus/vacancy.asp> Please quote reference: STAT(2).
no. SOR. Closing date for return of completed applications is Monday 5 June 2006.
The NFER is an equal opportunity employer, an Investor in People and a Registered Charity (No. 313392).
Further Particulars
Statistics Research and Analysis Group
STATISTICIAN
Post No: STAT(2)
The Foundation
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is Britain's leading educational research institution. Founded in 1946, it is an independent body undertaking research and development projects on issues of current interest in all sectors of education and training. The Foundation's mission is to improve education and training by undertaking research, development and dissemination activities and by providing information services. Foundation members include all the local authorities in England and Wales, the main teachers' associations and a large number of other major organisations with educational interests. The NFER is managed by a Senior Management Team under the directorship of Mrs Sue Rossiter and is overseen by a Governing Body.
The Foundation has a staff of approximately 245, most of who are based at the Foundation's offices which are located in pleasant grounds less than a mile from the centre of Slough. Communications by road and rail are excellent and there is free parking. There are also two growing regional offices - a Welsh office, based in Swansea, and a Northern office, based in York. NFER staff benefit from some of the best conditions of service available at any British research institution, and there is a strong emphasis on collegiate and team working. The Foundation is committed to the development of all its staff and has achieved and retained Investor in People status. For further information you may wish to visit our website: http://www.nfer.ac.uk <http://www.nfer.ac.uk/>
The Group
Statisticians have an important role to play in many aspects of the work of the Foundation, from the development of research proposals, through designing and carrying out statistical analyses, to providing input to a final report. Commonly a statistician will be working in collaboration with researchers on a number of projects at different stages. These projects range from small-scale investigations to large and complex national or international surveys.
Essentially, the work of the Statistics Research and Analysis Group can be divided between analysing responses to questionnaires and similar survey documents, analysing data collected from schools for the evaluation of major national initiatives, and evaluating tests and assessment instruments. The last area of work involves a number of specialised analysis techniques, and is a heavy user of statistical expertise. The Group also has a role in training researchers throughout the Foundation in the interpretation and understanding of statistical techniques and concepts. It also provides support to a number of local and national organisations in the use of data for work in children's services and school improvement.
As well as its primary role in supplying a statistical service to the Foundation as a whole, the Group also conducts its own research projects, sponsored either internally or externally. Current areas of interest include school effectiveness, involving 'value-added' analysis of pupil results, and the investigation of technical issues such as the use of structural equation modelling and the application of Item Response Theory to test development. Often these projects can lead to publications in academic journals, and there are opportunities for joint publication with researchers on other projects.
The Statistics Research and Analysis Group comprises a growing number of statisticians with varying degrees of experience and accustomed to support each other in their project work. Each statistician has a powerful PC, running under Windows 2000 and connected by a local area network to data and software resources. The main software tool used is SPSS, and to an increasing extent Excel, but other packages are used as required, together with some programs developed in-house.
The Group is committed to providing training opportunities for statisticians, including external courses, conferences (national and occasionally international) and support for work towards higher degrees.
The Person
The main areas of statistics within which the successful candidate would be working are therefore:
* Sampling methodology, including clustered and stratified sampling;
* Simple analysis of survey data, including multiple response data;
* Regression analysis, including multilevel modelling;
* Psychometric test analysis, including item response theory.
Training and support would be given in all the above areas, in particular those which were unfamiliar. The qualities that we are looking for in candidates for this post are:
* Good statistical qualifications, and experience in using statistical techniques and packages. Expertise in SPSS or a similar package (e.g. SAS) would be necessary; experience of Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) would be an advantage;
* Experience of work in an area related to children's services, not necessarily education;
* Experience in handling and manipulating large datasets;
* The ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure;
* A positive and professional attitude to all kinds of work;
* The ability to develop good relationships with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds;
* Good communication skills, both written and oral;
* The capacity to take on an increasing degree of responsibility for projects.
We would expect to appoint one or more statisticians to start on or after 1st September 2006.
Statistics Research and Analysis Group Aims
The Statistics Research & Analysis Group has a vital role in contributing to the overall mission of the National Foundation for Educational Research. Its particular aims are:
1. To provide a full statistical service that is responsive to the needs of the Foundation.
2. To provide statistical advice and guidance to the Foundation's staff during the development of new proposals. To promote appropriate innovative ways of responding to research tenders.
3) To provide reliable and efficient analyses that meet all the requirements of the project teams, with statisticians as active members of such teams.
4. To develop and refine the statistical techniques used within the group. To maintain and expand our understanding of the theoretical developments in educational research. To unite both of these for a service that provides the best and most up to date analyses for educational data.
5. To provide high quality statistical analysis and consultancy services to outside users.
6. To provide training and support to the Foundation's research staff so that they have the expertise required for the correct interpretation of statistical analyses.
7. To ensure the range of statistical software available is capable of meeting all the needs of the Group and the Foundation.
8. To contribute to the academic debate and basic research within the statistics of education, and to be recognised for worthwhile contributions to national and international research.
To achieve these aims, the group will:
1) Ensure members of the Statistics Research and Analysis Group have the necessary skills and knowledge to use all available statistical software.
2) Ensure all members of the group have the support and guidance required for personal development.
Interviews will be held in week commencing 19 June 2006
The employment benefits of working at NFER include:
Annual Leave
The Foundation's leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March; the full time annual leave entitlement is 30 days (two of which are normally required to be taken over the Christmas period). In addition there are eight Bank Holidays and four discretionary days.
Car Parking
There is free car parking space available at the Slough office.
Child Care Subsidy
A child care subsidy is payable for one child under school age and is available to staff whose salary is below £28242. This figure is based on actual salary, not the full-time equivalent. Further details are available.
Corporate Health
Staff based in Slough are entitled to free casualty and physiotherapy facilities at the local Corporate Health Office.
Health and Safety Policy
The Foundation recognises and accepts its responsibilities as an employer to provide a safe working environment for all its employees and its Policy Statement is contained in the Staff Handbook.
Hours of Work
Full-time staff work 35 hours per week which are normally 9:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. with one hour for lunch.
Pension
All employees are entitled to join the Local Government Pension Scheme that is administered through Buckinghamshire County Council. Contributions are payable at 6 per cent of salary and pensions are based on final salary. Details of the scheme are available from the Personnel Office. Alternatively staff currently in the Teachers' Pension Scheme may elect to remain in the Scheme.
Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC)
There is a facility for members of the occupational pension scheme to elect to make AVCs.
Relocation Allowance
The Foundation offers removal expenses for new employees.
Season Ticket Loans
Season ticket loans are available on the following conditions:
* normally for an annual ticket, although a shorter period will be considered
* the payment will be made by cheque direct to the provider
* loans will be deducted monthly from salary
* should a member of staff leave the Foundation, any outstanding balance will be deducted from their final salary
* request for a season ticket loan must be made on the appropriate application form to Finance.
Staff Council
Staff Council provides a forum for staff participation in the Foundation's decision making process to the mutual benefit of both the management and its staff.
Subsidised Staff Restaurant
The Staff Restaurant provides a varied menu of snacks, salads and hot meals, including dishes for vegetarians.
Staff Development
The Foundation is a recognised Investor in People (IIP) and is fully committed to training and developing all its employees and as such its aim is to provide staff with support to enable them to achieve their potential.
Conditions of this Appointment
Salary Scale
RO £20,044 - £24,352 SRO1 £25,565 - £30,002 per annum. Placement on scale(s) according to qualifications and experience.
Medical Questionnaire
All employees are asked to complete a medical history questionnaire on joining the Foundation and to undergo a medical examination if required. Appointments are subject to receipt of a satisfactory report.
Probationary Period
All new appointments are subject to a twelve months probationary period; thereafter the appointment is on-going, subject to the availability of appropriate work.
References
All appointments are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.
Candidates are required to declare on application or at interview if, to their knowledge, they are related to any member of the Foundation's Council or any Foundation employee. Deliberate failure to make such a disclosure may disqualify candidates and, if the omission is discovered after appointment, they may be dismissed. Canvassing of members of the Foundation's Council, either directly or indirectly, shall disqualify candidates.
Due to the high cost of postage the Foundation does not normally acknowledge receipt of completed applications. Should you require an acknowledgement please send a stamped addressed postcard which will be returned to you upon receipt. If you have not been contacted within two weeks following the closing date please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Application forms should be returned no later than Monday 5 June 2006. Please return completed forms:
By post to:
The Personnel Office
NFER, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ.
or Email:
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Further information on the NFER is available on our website at http://www.nfer.ac.uk/about-nfer/job-vacancies/job-vacancies_home.cfm <http://www.nfer.ac.uk/about-nfer/job-vacancies/job-vacancies_home.cfm>
For additional queries, please contact The Personnel Office
We look forward to receiving your completed application form
Paula Hammond
Senior Statistician
Statistics Research and Analysis Group
National Foundation for Educational Research
The Mere, Upton Park, Slough SL1 2DQ United Kingdom
Main line: +44 (0)1753 574123
Direct line: +44 (0)1753 637391
Main fax: +44 (0)1753 691632
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Web: http://www.nfer.ac.uk <http://www.nfer.ac.uk/>
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