Research Assistant (English Language & Literature Department) [NIE]

The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Assistant on a 14-month contract at the English Language and Literature Department.

Project Title: Tracing transmodal validity in language assessment with young learners across the kindergarten–primary transition

Project Introduction:This project examines how assessment-relevant evidence is produced, recognised, and interpreted during everyday English literacy instruction across the Kindergarten 2 to Primary 1 transition in Singapore. Using classroom-based qualitative methods, the study focuses on how young learners demonstrate language and literacy knowledge through multimodal communication, including talk, writing, gesture, embodied action, and engagement with classroom materials. The project will involve classroom observations, video/audio data, interviews or informal conversations with participants, and analysis of literacy-related classroom practices.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Linguistics, Education, Early Childhood Education, English Language, Literacy Studies, Psychology, Communication Studies, or a related field
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Good attention to detail and ability to handle confidential research data responsibly
• Interest in early literacy, classroom interaction, language assessment, multimodality, or qualitative research
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Familiarity with qualitative research, transcription, classroom research, video/audio data, NVivo, ELAN, or similar tools would be advantageous, but training can be provided

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with recruitment coordination, consent form preparation, tracking, and documentation
• Liaising with participating schools/centres and research participants where appropriate
• Preparing materials and logistics for classroom-based data collection
• Supporting classroom observations and the collection of video/audio, fieldnote, interview, and document/artifact data
• Organising, labelling, storing, and managing research data in accordance with approved ethics and data management procedures
• Assisting with transcription, data cleaning, coding, and preliminary analysis of qualitative and multimodal data
• Conducting literature searches and assisting with project-related administrative tasks
• Supporting preparation of research outputs, reports, presentations, and other project documentation as required
• Any other administrative duties as assigned by Principal Investigator

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE