Applications are invited for a temporary post of a PFL Research Manager within School of Economics / UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy.
We are seeking applications from motivated individuals with an interest in child development and developmental psychology to become the PFL Research Manager. The Manager will manage the day to day running of the Preparing for Life Legacy Study @ Age 13. We are specifically seeking individuals who have experience managing data collection with adolescents and schools.
Preparing for Life (PFL) is an early intervention programme designed to improve the life outcomes of children living in several communities of North Dublin. The programme intervenes during pregnancy and works with families until the children start school. The programme was evaluated extensively between 2008-2016 using a Randomised Control Trial to examine the impact of the programme up to school entry. The results indicated significant improvements in children’s cognitive development, health, and behaviour (see summary report). A follow-up study was conducted in 2019 when the children were age 9 (see summary report). To date, the PFL Evaluation Team has produced a series of 9 reports, >25 academic publications, and attracted extensive media coverage. Studies from PFL have been published in high-ranking journals including Child Development, Journal of Political Economy, and Pediatrics. This follow-up study will examine the medium term impact of the programme now that PFL cohort (~200) are approximately 13 years old. The follow-up study will gather data from adolescents and schools. As a researcher on this project, you will be involved in the longest running experiment of its kind in Europe.
The position will primarily involve engaging with secondary schools and managing a fieldwork team to collect data on the PFL cohort at age 13. The position will involve connecting with families and schools. The data collection will include a standardised interview, cognitive assessment, executive functioning tasks, administrative data from schools, as well as saliva sampling. The position may also involve data entry and management. We are specifically looking for individuals who have previous experience conducting cognitive test batteries or neuropsychological assessments with children/adolescents. The position will involve working with the principal investigator on applying for ethical approval and hiring fieldworkers. As the work programme involves a field experiment, candidates from a clinical background seeking to engage with social science research are also welcome.
The position will be based in the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy and the successful candidate will primarily work with the principal investigator - Dr. Orla Doyle (School of Economics). The position is available as a full time or part time post and the anticipated start date is May 2023.
Salary Range: €39,132 - €50,529 per annum (Pro Rata if Part Time at 0.50FTE: €19,566 - €25,265 Per annum)
Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.
Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 12th April 2023.
Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.
UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.
Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website:
https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/
