Post Graduate Research Studentship Role

Role Title: / Research Studentship Role
School / Department / Humanities / Role category / Research Studentship
Location / LINC, ITB, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland / Role Advertised for / 3 weeks
Award Level & Field
Master / PhD e.g. MEng / MA / Position Type / Full time
Supervisor / Deirdre McGrath / Start Date
Project Title:
Short title for advertising / Quality in the Early Years - The Early Years Education-focused Inspections
Project Title: Full Title as per funding application / An investigation into the construction of quality in the early years by the Irish state through an examination of the way in which quality is being constructed through the Early Years Education-focused Inspection process.
Research Field / sub categories e.g.Computer / 3D modelling; Communication Sciences / Media; Language Sciences / Language / Early Childhood Education
General enquiries email / Supervisor: /
Applications by email / Admin: /
Role Description
The Role
A full-time research student is sought for a project which aims to investigate the construction of quality in the early years by the Irish state through an examination of the way in which quality is being constructed through the Early Years Education-focused Inspection process. The project will be conducted in two phases. In phase one a desk based review of inspection reports will be conducted to identify key trends in the inspection process. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis will be conducted at this point. Informed by phase one, phase two will seek more in-depth data on key issues emerging from the desk-based review via in-depth interviews with a sample of early years’ education inspectors. In depth semi structured interviews will be conducted with at least eight early years inspectors with the aim of further elaborating on the key themes and findings identified in phase one
Required Skills / Qualifications / Aptitudes
Minimum skills/qualifications required:
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education (2nd class Honours or better) or equivalent
  • Strong research ability and academic writing skills
Scholarly excellence at undergraduate level.
Specific Requirements
In addition to this the following skills are desired:
  • Experience in conducting qualitative research
  • Experience in working in an early years service

Research experience required
Desirable Experience
Language Required
Instruction for all courses at ITB is normally through English.
Funding
The scholarship will be awarded for a period of 2 years to a value of €12,000 per year. There is the possibility that funding can be provided for a further 2 year period should the project be advanced from MA to PhD level.
However, this is not guaranteed.
Funding will cover the following elements:
  • A maintenance grant of €10,000 per year
  • Travel/Consumables/Materials budget of €2,000 per year
Tuition fees for all scholarship holders will be funded to a max of €4,500 per year for two years.
Additional requirements
  • Any non-EU scholarship holder will be eligible for additional fees.
  • Any non-EU applicants will require a visa to come and study in Ireland Overview Visas and Immigration
  • English language requirements: Instruction for all courses at ITB is normally through English refer to

Application process
To Apply:
Please email the following to -
  • Cover letter
  • Full CV
  • Names and email contact details for two referees (minimum)
Informal project queries should be directed to
Closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon (GMT) 4th January 2018