The University of Southampton's Widening Participation and Social Mobility (WPSM) directorate are pleased to be recruiting for a Student Inclusion Officer (Assessment) on a full-time and fixed term basis, to focus on a project to understand differential experiences or practices for students from low socioeconomic groups and those with Black heritage, as detailed in our new Access and Participation Plan (APP). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to inform the University's Advancing Assessment project, which has broad aims to transform assessment thinking and practice.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively across the institution, including with students, academics and Professional Services staff, to develop a research project that will focus on activities around assessment and assessment aligned processes which can impact on the experience of those from low socioeconomic groups and those with Black heritage. The project will involve the development of impactful research questions, seeking feedback from key stakeholders, and developing a final report with clear recommendations that will ensure rapid progress is made towards objectives detailed in our APP.
The postholder will primarily be line managed by one of the Student Inclusion Managers within the Student Success team, who holds additional responsibility for wider work linked to the success of Black and ethnically minoritised students. They will also receive matrix management from the Enhancement Manager to ensure alignment with wider directorate work on academic skills.

The ideal candidate will have detailed understanding of the challenges that exist within higher education, perhaps having worked in academic research, evaluation, or teaching development environments. They will have the knowledge to be able to be to develop an empirical understanding of how degree awarding gaps can be both caused and reduced. They will have experience of delivering evidence-based practice and a proven ability to implement innovative evaluation approaches and an understanding of a range of research methods, qualitative and quantitative typologies, and feedback mechanisms. They will be adept at working independently, whilst also being able to collaborate with a range of key stakeholders.
Please note that the starting salary for this role will be £36,130 (Grade 4, spinal point 28 on the University Level 1 - 6 pay scale) and will increment one spinal point each year, up to the top of the grade (£44,128, spinal point 35).
Please be aware that the successful candidate is expected to be in post by the 1st June 2025. Please take notice periods and any other timeframes into consideration when applying for this role.
The University welcomes applicants from widening participation backgrounds for this role, especially those from ethnically minoritised backgrounds. Please be assured that all applicants will be treated equally during the selection process.
Please note that this role involves both office and remote working.