Apologies for any cross posting: INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH PROJECT OFFICER (2 years) INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Ref: 15986 The Institute of Educational Technology (IET) is an academic unit of the Open University and a centre of international excellence (RAE Grade 5) for teaching, research and development of educational technologies in the service of effective learning. Since the OU was founded in 1969, members of the Institute have played a major role in shaping its teaching strategies, planning its use of media and designing its teaching materials and learner support systems. The Institute offers a creative and enthusiastic environment for innovative approaches. This post will be based in the Institute's Student Research Centre whose staff play a key role in monitoring the quality of the student learning experience and contribute to the formulation and review of the University policy. The work will form an integral part of the Electronic Survey Alliance (ELSA), a university-funded development to conduct institutional research and evaluations using the Internet. You will work on PRESTO, a system designed to conduct research and surveys with students and staff using web-based questionnaires. As well as being an innovative approach to increasing the responsiveness of the Open University to its students, PRESTO also forms the major research strand of ELSA. You will therefore be involved in researching the key parameters in web-based research, and will be expected to contribute to the dissemination of research outcomes at conferences and through research papers. You will also support the Head of the Project in designing appropriate uses of PRESTO technology. For this post, we are looking for someone who has got a good first degree, or a higher degree, in one of the Social Sciences (e.g. economics, sociology, education or psychology) and well developed social scientific research skills. You will need to have proven ability to work on your own initiative, and excellent communication, presentation and writing skills. Experience of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and good IT skills including SPSS or SAS, WORD and EXCEL, would also be an advantage. Ideally, you will also have some experience of using the Internet to collect research data (either qualitative or quantitative) . The post is full-time for two years and will be based within the Institute in Milton Keynes. Salary will be on the Academic-related staff scale, £20,267 - £26,229 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. Closing date for applications: Friday 9 October 2001 An application form and further particulars (and access details for disabled applicants) are available from Mrs Pat Cross on Milton Keynes (01908) 652916, email: iet-recruitment@open.ac.uk <mailto:iet-recruitment@open.ac.uk> There is a 24-hour voicemail service available on (01908) 654127. Please be sure to quote reference ESPO/15986 when making an enquiry. Disabled applicants whose skills and experience meet the requirements of the job will be interviewed. Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disk, or on audio cassette tape. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may make enquiries on Milton Keynes (01908) 654901 (Minicom answerphone). The University offers a wide range of jobs with excellent training and career development opportunities. We actively promote equal opportunities in education and employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community. http://www.open.ac.uk/employment <http://www.open.ac.uk/employment> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Adam Joinson, PhD Institute of Educational Technology The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel: +44 1908 654811 http://www.joinson.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -