Research Assistant/Associate (ED

About the role

This 36 month position will support research that will validate the first screening tool to identify undiagnosed Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in adults - the Screening Tool for Adults with Non-Diagnosed DLD or STAND. 

This project will be embedded within the internationally recognised Engage with Developmental Language Disorder Project.

Development of STAND will allow undiagnosed adults to better understand the likelihood they have DLD, which can lead to better self-understanding, open the possibility of seeking an official diagnosis, and implementation of reasonable adjustments in workplaces and education. STAND will also be a key research tool in the future, allowing more research into undiagnosed DLD in adulthood.

This research will involve validating STAND by determining if this screening tool can differentiate adults with DLD from adults without DLD, as well as adults with autism and dyslexia. We will then seek to establish the efficacy of STAND in identifying undiagnosed DLD in Further Education (FE) students, where we will establish the rates of undiagnosed DLD, investigate the support needs of these students and develop support materials for students with newly diagnosed DLD and FE disability services.

For the Research Associate role, your duties will include conducting clinical adult DLD assessments as well as managing the major research projects, which includes DLD assessments as well as other data collection methodologies. Additional duties include assisting in the supervision of placement students and postgraduate and undergraduate students as well as leading on the academic outputs (peer reviewed publications and conference proceedings) and on the public engagement activities.

For the Research Assistant role, your duties will include conducting clinical adult DLD assessments as well as managing the major research projects, which includes DLD assessments as well as other data collection methodologies. Additional duties include actively contributing to the production of peer reviewed publications and conference submissions and/or presentations and playing an active role in all public engagement activities.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

For an information discussion about the role, please contact Dr Michelle St Clair (m.c.st.clair@bath.ac.uk) or Professor Suze Leitão (S.Leitao@exchange.curtin.edu.au). 

We are looking for

A Speech and Language Therapist/Pathologist either with a PhD (for the Research Associate position) or without a PhD (for the Research Assistant position) who will lead on the research. One of the main tasks is conducting clinical SLT assessments to identify DLD in adults, which is why we are seeking a Speech and Language Therapist for this position.A good combination of relevant clinical and research experience.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good time management skills, to be a team player, and have a huge amount of self-motivation and enthusiasm for this project.

Interviews will take place mornings of 18 & 19 June.

What we can offer you

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplaceAn excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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Closing Date: 03 Jun 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: The salary range for Research Assistant is £30,805 to £37,174 per annum. The salary range for Research Associate is £38,249 to £45,413 per annum.