Emerging Measurement Researcher

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Role Description & Purpose

Join the British Council's English Language Research and Impact (ELRI) team and play a key role in advancing world-class language assessment through innovative psychometric research and analysis.

As an Emerging Measurement Researcher, you'll be part of the Learning and Assessment Research (LAR) hub, working alongside experienced researchers to support the development, validation and continuous improvement of British Council assessment products. You'll apply statistical and psychometric techniques to assessment data, contribute to research and technical reports, and help ensure the quality, fairness and validity of language assessments used around the world.

This is an exciting opportunity to build expertise in educational measurement while contributing to research that influences policy, practice and thought leadership in language teaching, learning and assessment. You'll gain hands-on experience across operational and research projects, collaborate with colleagues across ELRI and the wider English and Exams Strategic Business Unit, and contribute to publications, conferences and international research initiatives.

ELRI brings together expertise across assessment, research, engagement, dissemination, the Future of English and Artificial Intelligence, helping shape the future of language education globally. As part of this dynamic environment, you'll work on projects that support innovation, educational reform and assessment quality worldwide.

This role is ideal for an early-career quantitative researcher with knowledge of Classical Test Theory and, IRT modelling, practical experience analysing educational or assessment data, and a strong desire to develop a career in language assessment research.

Role Accountabilities

Working alongside senior researchers, you will apply quantitative methods to assessment data, including item analysis, IRT modelling, reliability studies, rater analyses and DIF screening. You will manage and analyse datasets, develop reproducible code in R or Python, contribute to validation and scoring research, and help ensure the quality of British Council assessment products. You'll also support literature reviews, technical reports, consultancy projects and educational reform initiatives, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers and external partners across the globe.

We're looking for an early-career researcher with knowledge of educational measurement or language assessment, strong quantitative and analytical skills, and experience using R or Python. You will be organised, collaborative and eager to learn, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to a range of audiences.

This is an excellent opportunity to build your expertise in educational measurement and language assessment, working with experienced researchers on internationally recognised projects. You'll benefit from ongoing professional development, exposure to cutting-edge research methods, opportunities to contribute to publications and conferences, and the chance to grow your career within a globally respected research and assessment organisation.

Please note that the role requires International and domestic travel for projects, conferences and meetings. Participating in meetings across time-zones for projects is also expected.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• MA/MSc in language assessment, applied linguistics, educational measurement, psychology, statistics or a closely related field with a substantial quantitative component or equivalent professional experience
• Experience of quantitative analysis of assessment or educational data, including classical test theory and familiarity with latent-variable models (e.g. IRT).
• Experience using a statistical programming language (e.g. R, Python) to manage and analyse large datasets.
• Experience collaborating on the collection and analysis of data for research purposes.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English

Desirable

• PhD in language assessment, educational measurement or a closely related field (completed or in progress)
• Experience of working in the field of language assessment.
• Experience with one or more of: many-facet Rasch measurement, generalisability theory, DIF analysis, multilevel modelling.
• Exposure to operational psychometric work on tests (e.g. equating, standard setting, score reporting).
• Experience of communicating research to external specialist audiences in written and spoken modes (e.g. conference presentations, co-authored publications).
• Knowledge of other languages

Important Information

• Location: The position is hybrid, located in one of our UK offices
• Contract Type: This is a Full-Time, Indefinite Contract
• Salary: PB7, 32,381- 35,324 GBP per annum (Plus an additional £3,300 per annum London Market Allowance if working from the London office).
• Benefits: Benefits for the UK include, but are not limited to:
  • 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
  • Career average defined benefit pension scheme
  • An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.
• Right to Work: The candidates must have legal, non-restricted right to live and work in the United Kingdom and currently living in the country of posting. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any relocation or visa sponsorship.
• Background Screening: all successful candidates are obliged to undergo comprehensive background screening
• Closing Date: 27th November 2026

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent and we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org