Centre for Assessment Research and Policy in Education or CARPE
Dublin City University Center for Assessment Research Policy and Practice in Education
Ireland

Background & Role

Dublin City University (www.dcu.ie) is a research-intensive, globally-engaged, dynamic
institution that is distinguished by both the quality and impact of its graduates and its
focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit. DCU prepares
its students well for success in life, and in the workplace, by providing a high-quality,
rounded education appropriate to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
As Ireland’s University of Enterprise, it is characterised by a focus on innovation and
entrepreneurship and a track-record of effective engagement with the enterprise
sector. Excellence in its education and research activities has led to its consistent
position in the rankings of the world’s top young universities.

In 2016 DCU established the Centre for Assessment Research Policy and Practice in
Education (CARPE) at its Institute of Education and, in partnership with Prometric*,
appointed a Chair in Assessment to provide academic and research leadership in the
area of assessment. The Post-Doctoral Researcher will, under the guidance of the
Prometric Chair, engage in research of interest to Prometric and to the educational
community more broadly.

* Prometric Inc is a leading provider of technology-enabled testing and assessment services in the field of
licensure and certification. Prometric’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters is
located in Ireland.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with the Prometric Chair and others within the
Centre for Assessment Research and Policy in Education (CARPE) on research projects
focused on the development and delivery of tests and assessments in educational and
workplace settings.

Reporting to the Chair in Assessment, the Postdoctoral Researcher in Assessment will:

 Research solutions to assessment and testing problems pertinent to Prometric
and to the education community in Ireland and internationally.
 Contribute to the production of top-quality journal and conference publications.
 Identify and write proposals for research funding.
 Participate in CARPE activities, such as research showcases and annual reviews.
 Provide support and advice to PhD students working on similar topics.
 Contribute to teaching and supervision in the Institute of Education.
 Report on progress at meetings and in writing.
 Assist in identifying and developing future research and funding initiatives.
 Engage in the dissemination of the research results.
 Collaborate with Prometric to maximise PR opportunities through DCU’s
communications and marketing departments.
 Maintain an up-to-date research and professional profile on the CARPE website.
 Contribute constructively to the team-based ethos within CARPE.
 Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the
Prometric Chair or the University.
 Liaise with both internal and external stakeholders, including Prometric.
 Carry out administrative work associated with the programme of research as
necessary.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in educational assessment, measurement, psychology or
related fields and be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of principles underpinning the theory and practice of assessment and testing, research design and data analysis.

High level competence in written and oral communication, the
interpersonal skills necessary for productive collaborations, as well as an ability to bring
initiative and imagination to independent work will be required.

Salary: €37,223 - €39,529

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Closing date: Monday, September 16, 2019

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:

Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research
discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that
discipline and in collaboration with industry partners.

Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the
research environment (for example funding bodies and key industry players) and the
ability to contribute to grant applications

Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research
with their peers, with industry partners, and with the wider research community (for
example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the
potential to teach and tutor students

Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research
project including the supervision of undergraduate and post-graduate students and to
meet industry partner expectations regarding project turn-around times.

Application Procedure

Informal Queries to: Prof. Michael O'Leary, Prometric Chair in Assessment, Director of
the Centre for Assessment Research, Policy and Practice in Education, Institute of
Education. Email : michael.oleary@dcu.ie Please do not send applications to this email
address.

Application forms are available from the DCU Current Vacancies (open Competitions)
website at http://www.dcu.ie/vacancies/current.shtml and also from the Human
Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel: +353 (0) 1 7005149.
Please clearly state the role that you are applying for in your application and email
subject line: Job Reference #RF1247A : Post-Doctoral Researcher in Assessment
Applications should be submitted by email to hr.applications@dcu.ie or by Fax: +353
(0)1 7005500 or by post to the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University,
Dublin 9.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy