University of Oxford, Department of Education
Postdoctoral Fellowship: GRADE 7: Salary £27,466 - £33,780

Professor Herb Marsh, Department of Education, University of Oxford 
(http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/research/resgroup/self/index.php) seeks a 
post-doctoral fellow (3 years with possible extension) to help lead a newly 
funded (ESRC Professorial Fellowship) research programme starting in October 
2008: Value Adding In Diverse Educational Contexts: Substantive-
Methodological Synergies That Address Complex Issues With Sophisticated 
Methodology. 
The research programme applies new statistical (multilevel latent variable) 
models in a combination of simulated and “real data” projects: 
1.	Statistical innovation (simulation studies);
2.	Contextual and value-added models used to construct league tables 
(and their biases); 
3.	Benchmarking UK universities (National Student Survey responses of 
educational experience by all graduating students from all 140 UK universities); 
4.	Science engagement in classrooms (international OECD/PISA data 
from 60 countries); 
5.	Classroom/school (motivational and teacher/school effectiveness) 
climate. 
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow would work on all five projects in 
conjunction with Prof Marsh and International members of the Oxford and SELF 
Research network 
(http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/research/resgroup/self/selfi.php), but would 
choose one or two most related to their research interests as a focus. 
The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides the opportunity for new researchers to 
submit papers for publication, to develop research proposals, and to work 
alongside a senior mentor who will support their academic career development. 
The post provides a valuable and enriching, allowing the applicant to gain a 
wide variety of academic research and management skills, entry into national 
and international research networks, and to build quickly a research track 
record suitable for a career in academic research.
A sum of £4,000 will be available to support the Fellow in carrying out their 
research, for travel and subsistence, equipment and other costs.
Selection criteria include: 
•	organizational/research management skills, 
•	quantitative/statistical skills, 
•	good (English) research writing skills, 
•	a strong quantitative doctorate (or equivalent experience). 

All applicants should contact Erica Oakes, Assistant Administrator, University 
of Oxford Department of Education, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, tel. 
01865 274178, e-mail [log in to unmask] for application 
materials. For more details about the research position, also contact Prof Herb 
Marsh: tel. 01865 274041, [log in to unmask] 

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2008. Interviews are tentatively 
scheduled for 15th October and the Fellowship would begin as soon as possible 
thereafter.  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
RESEARCH Officer GRADE 6: Salary  £24,403 - £29,138

The SELF Research Centre group 
http://www.education.ox.ac.uk/research/resgroup/self/index.php seeks a 
Social Science Research Officer in a busy, diverse and expanding team. The 
main task of the Research Officer is to support the activities of Professor Herb 
Marsh by preparing proposals, communicating with funders, carrying out 
fieldwork, analysing data, writing reports, liaising with doctoral and post-
doctoral researchers, and managing research projects. The post is a varied 
one in a friendly team where substantial initiative is expected along with good 
research organisation skills, a research background, strong research writing 
skills, and the ability to meet deadlines.  The post is full time for two years 
initially with the possibility of extension up to three years. 

The position provides a valuable and enriching experience, allowing the 
applicant to gain a wide variety of academic research and management skills, 
and to develop networks that will assist them in achieving future goals. It is 
ideally suited for an applicant who wishes to pursue an academic research 
career.

Further particulars and application materials should be obtained from Erica 
Oakes, Assistant Administrator, Department of Educational Studies, 15 Norham 
Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY, email: [log in to unmask] (phone 
01865 274023) quoting ref. EP08009.  The closing date for applications is 1st 
October  with interviews tentatively scheduled for 16th October and the 
position to start as soon afterwards as possible.