Founded in 1898 as the West Ham Technical Institute, UEL has always championed industry-focused education and social mobility, earning the name “The People’s University” for its commitment to widening access to technical and professional learning. While our scale and ambition have grown, our purpose has remained constant: empowering communities, advancing social justice, and equipping students with future-proof skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Today, UEL continues this legacy through pioneering research, employer-engaged education, and meaningful community impact. We are tackling health and economic inequalities, promoting sustainability, and helping to build a more inclusive and resilient future.

Guided by our ambitious Vision 2028  strategy, UEL is reshaping education for the benefit of all, empowering students from every background with the skills and opportunities to succeed. Our commitment to excellence is recognised nationally; we are proud to be named University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. At UEL, we don’t just teach, we inspire, innovate and empower, shaping the future together.

About External Relations

We have built an integrated multi-award winning External Relations Directorate that has brought together several teams including Brand & Marketing, Communications & Public Relations, Corporate Engagement & Advancement, Student Recruitment & Conversion (home and international), Admissions, Outreach & Access, and Design and Digital.

We are looking for leaders who will be part of embedding an innovative practice and a digital first mindset within our External Relations Directorate. We seek individuals who not only enjoy working in an agile environment but also demonstrate a willingness to embrace new technology and transformational change. Together, we aim to cultivate a culture of 'continuous next', staying updated with emerging technologies and best practice across the sector.

About the Job

The post of Business Analyst will work as a key member of the Change and Transformation Team, supporting the delivery of the University’s Student Journey Automation and Process Improvement programme.

The post-holder will work collaboratively with stakeholders across the University to understand business needs, analyse and map processes, gather requirements and identify opportunities for automation, digital transformation and process improvement. They will support projects from initial discovery and analysis through to solution design and implementation, ensuring that proposed changes are evidence-led, clearly defined and focused on delivering measurable benefits.

The role will be key to improving the end-to-end student journey, helping to streamline processes, reduce manual activity and enhance the experience for both students and colleagues through the effective use of technology and improved ways of working.

About You

To succeed, you will be confident in engaging stakeholders, understanding business needs and translating these into practical requirements. You will have experience in business analysis activities such as requirements gathering and process mapping. What’s more, you will be an analytical and curious thinker who enjoys improving ways of working and helping to deliver positive change across the University.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and are inspired by the University of East London’s ambitious, inclusive and success-driven environment, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must therefore already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Closing Date: 06 Nov 2026

Team: Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £54,103 to £61,969 per annum inclusive of London Weighting
Pro rata

Founded in 1898, we at the University of East London (UEL) are proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

If you are seeking a career that combines innovative education with a passion for crafting positive change, look no further than the University of East London. Founded in 1898 to meet the skills needs of the 2nd industrial revolution, we’re now in Year 7 of our ground-breaking 10-year Vision 2028 strategic plan, orchestrated by our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Amanda Broderick.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us shape the future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for generating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

 If you're ready to join a team that values your outstanding skills and perspectives and is dedicated to making a difference, we invite you to explore a career with us. We are excited to welcome versatile individuals who are committed to advancing their careers while making a positive impact on the world.

About Us

The University of East London’s Health Campus is a pioneering community-focused centre that brings together health education, advanced research, clinical simulation, and public wellbeing initiatives within a state-of-the-art environment. 

Designed to support the development of future healthcare professionals, the campus integrates innovative health technologies, inter-professional learning, and strong partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, care settings, and local communities. 

As part of UEL’s vision to create the UK’s first University Community Health Centre, the Health Campus promotes preventative healthcare, addresses health inequalities, and provides a collaborative space that serves students, staff, healthcare partners, and the wider public.

About the Job

The Project Director will provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight for the delivery of the East London Pupils' Careers Education Consortium (ELPCEC), a major externally funded programme established through the Portal Trust bid. The programme is led by the University of East London in partnership with the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney and is designed to support young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), at risk of becoming NEET, or facing barriers to participation through targeted education, employability, digital and creative skills interventions.

Working across a complex multi-agency landscape, the Project Director will establish effective programme governance arrangements, manage risk and performance, oversee monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and ensure delivery of measurable outcomes relating to educational participation, employability, progression and social impact. The role will be responsible for reporting to funders and governance boards, driving continuous improvement, and developing a sustainable model that supports future growth and investment beyond the initial funding period.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to join the Portfolio & Benefits team within the Commercial & Programme Delivery Directorate.

Alongside programme delivery responsibilities, you will contribute to the continued development of project and programme management capability across UEL. As a member of the Portfolio & Benefits team, you will support the enhancement of project management frameworks, governance, methodologies, tools and reporting practices, contributing to the ongoing maturity of the University's project management function.

The Project Director will play a critical role in delivering UEL's civic and social mobility ambitions by creating opportunities for young people across East London, strengthening strategic partnerships, and positioning the University as a leading contributor to addressing educational inequality and improving life chances within local communities.

Key deliverables

• Successful delivery of the Portal Trust-funded programme to agreed scope, budget and timescales.
• Strong governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement arrangements in place across all partner organisations.
• Measurable improvements in participant engagement, progression, skills development and community outcomes.
• Robust monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting frameworks embedded throughout delivery.
• Sustainable partnership model and future funding strategy developed to support long-term programme growth.
• Demonstrable contribution to the Health Campus vision of improving health, wellbeing and opportunities for East London communities

The duties and responsibilities outlined above provide a general overview of the range of tasks that Project Manager at the University of East London may be required to perform. Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and additional tasks aligned with the role's grade may be assigned as needed. 

Benefits Package

Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits includes: 20% pension (4% from you, 16% from us), 25 days holiday (plus 3 days over Christmas) plus bank holidays, hybrid working for most positions, and we’re always open to consider flexible working arrangements. We have a subsidised gym membership, 3 times base salary life assurance, a cashback healthcare scheme and wide variety of other generous benefits including discounts on: Apple and Samsung products, holidays, clothing, fitness, lifestyle, dining out and weekly shopping.

Equal Opportunities 

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the "diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

Closing Date: 27 Oct 2026

Team: Management Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £75,180 to £94,036 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

We’re the University of East London (UEL) founded in 1898 and proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About the School / Service 

Employee Relations & Policy is a specialist centre of expertise in our People & Culture directorate. It brings together strategic policy development, employee relations, case management, organisational change and trade union partnership working. We aim to give every employee a positive and consistent experience, backed by clear, accessible and legally sound policies.

About the role

You will be the University’s lead authority on People Policy governance, assurance and compliance. You will make sure our policies are fit for purpose, consistently applied and properly embedded. A key focus over the next year will be preparing the Policy Framework for the Employment Rights Act 2025, aligned to the Government’s phased commencement timetable.

You will:

• Own the People Policy Framework and lead the Policy Review Group, setting its forward plan and steering policies through review, consultation and approval
• Lead impact assessment, redrafting and consultation planning for the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Turn complex legal and regulatory requirements into clear, practical policies, toolkits, manager guides and FAQs
• Act as the escalation point for complex policy interpretation, including queries from outsourced service providers
• Develop compliance monitoring and reporting, and provide assurance to senior leaders and governance committees
• Prepare briefing papers, consultation documents and negotiation materials, and represent the University on the Joint Staff Consultation Negotiating Committee
• Work with the Global HR Manager to adapt UK policies for our global hubs
• Carry out Equality Impact Assessments so that our policies are fair and inclusive

About you

You will hold an advanced CIPD qualification or have equivalent experience. You will also bring:

• Extensive experience of developing and managing HR policy in a complex organisation
• A track record of formal consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025
• Excellent drafting skills and the ability to make complex issues simple
• The judgement to balance legal requirements with operational reality, and the confidence to hold a position when it matters
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills

Experience in higher education, of working with outsourced HR providers, or of chairing cross-functional working groups would be an advantage.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here:

https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the" diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're also a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing Date: 02 Nov 2026

Team: Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £63,693 to £73,121 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

We’re the University of East London (UEL) founded in 1898 and proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About the School / Service 

UEL IT Services is a centralized resource working collaboratively with the University community to transform UEL's digital landscape in line with the University’s Vision 2028 strategic plan. Engaging in ground-breaking initiatives delivered within a dynamically developing cloud environment, IT Services work closely with staff, students, partners, and other key stakeholders to identify technological enhancements to our learning and working environments. We implement, develop, and provide support for systems and services within the university’s IT Service Portfolio

About the Job

As Training Lead for the SRS Transformation Programme, you will lead the training workstream supporting the introduction of Ellucian Banner, UEL’s new student records system. You will develop and maintain the training plan, oversee training needs analysis, coordinate the design and delivery of engaging learning solutions, and ensure training activity aligns with the wider change and engagement strategy.

You will work closely with programme colleagues, business analysts, process owners and technical teams, while providing direction and quality assurance to training officers. You will also support post-go-live activity, evaluate training effectiveness and help ensure a smooth transition into business as usual.

About You

You’ll be an experienced Digital or IT Training professional with a strong background in delivering training to diverse audiences and creating high-quality digital learning content. You’ll be confident identifying training needs, translating complex systems and processes into clear learning materials, and managing competing priorities while working collaboratively with others.

With excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, you’ll be organised, proactive and able to work independently as well as within a team. A degree, higher or professional qualification, together with training and/or teaching experience in IT or digital skills, is essential. Experience of Student Records Systems, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, SharePoint and digital content creation tools is also required. 

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. 

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits. 

You can explore our full benefits package here: 

https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the" diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing Date: 02 Nov 2026

Team: Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £47,403 to £52,640 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

We’re the University of East London (UEL) founded in 1898 and proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About the School / Service 

UEL IT Services is a centralized resource working collaboratively with the University community to transform UEL's digital landscape in line with the University’s Vision 2028 strategic plan. Engaging in ground-breaking initiatives delivered within a dynamically developing cloud environment, IT Services work closely with staff, students, partners, and other key stakeholders to identify technological enhancements to our learning and working environments. We implement, develop, and provide support for systems and services within the university’s IT Service Portfolio

About the Job

The University of East London is embarking on an exciting transformation with the introduction of Ellucian Banner, our new student records system, which will transform how we support students from application through to graduation.

As a Digital Trainer within the SRS Transformation Programme, you will play a key role in supporting the successful adoption of Banner across the University. You will design, develop and deliver engaging training for staff and students, creating clear and accessible learning materials including user guides, instructional videos, e-learning courses and other digital resources.

Working closely with the SRS Transformation Programme, Digital Adoption and Engagement colleagues, subject matter experts and stakeholders across UEL, you will identify training needs and develop learning solutions tailored to different audiences. You will also support change champions and super users, helping them build the knowledge and confidence needed to support colleagues within their areas.

As the programme moves towards implementation, you will support post-go-live activities including drop-in sessions, refresher training and just-in-time learning resources, helping our community make

About You

You will be an experienced and engaging Digital or IT Trainer with a strong track record of delivering effective digital skills training to a range of audiences. You will be confident assessing individual and group learning needs and translating complex systems, processes and information into clear, practical and accessible learning experiences.

You will have experience creating high-quality training content, such as user guides, instructional videos, e-learning courses and supporting documentation, alongside strong knowledge of IT applications, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint and digital content creation tools. You will be an excellent communicator who can engage, motivate and build effective working relationships with colleagues, students, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Organised, proactive and adaptable, you will be comfortable managing your own workload, working collaboratively and using initiative and creativity to solve problems. You will be able to tailor your training approach to suit different audiences and will bring a supportive and inclusive approach to helping others develop their confidence and capability.

A degree in Computing or an equivalent IT qualification, together with training and/or teaching experience in IT or digital skills, is essential. Knowledge of Higher Education student records systems such as Ellucian Banner or Tribal SITS, experience within a Higher Education environment, and familiarity with tools such as Articulate 360 would be desirable.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. 

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits. 

You can explore our full benefits package here: 

https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Equal Opportunities

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we’re committed to closing the" diversity pay gap". We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing Date: 02 Nov 2026

Team: Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £40,623 to £46,188 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

Our award-winning External Relations Directorate brings together Communications and PR, Brand and Marketing, Digital, Student Recruitment, Admissions, Outreach and Corporate Engagement. We work in an agile, digital-first environment where creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement are encouraged.

We are looking for an experienced Internal Communications Manager to help us deliver clear, creative and engaging communications for colleagues across UEL.

About the Role

You will plan, deliver and evaluate internal communications campaigns that engage staff and support key University priorities.

From developing university-wide campaigns and creating communications for senior leaders, to improving digital channels and measuring impact, this is a varied role requiring excellent judgement, creativity and the confidence to work with stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engaging internal communications campaigns from brief through to evaluation
• Produce clear, compelling content across a range of channels, including communications for senior leaders
• Advise and influence stakeholders on the most effective communications approach
• Manage and improve digital channels including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and email communications
• Measure communications effectiveness and use insight to improve future activity
• Support staff engagement and help strengthen joined-up internal and external communications across UEL

About You

You will be an experienced communications professional who can combine excellent writing with strong campaign management, stakeholder influence and digital capability.

To succeed in this role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Substantial communications experience, including responsibility for internal communications.
• Leading end-to-end campaign experience, from planning and delivery through to evaluation
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including producing content for senior leaders
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders and confidently influencing senior colleagues.
• Strong digital communications capability, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint and email/newsletter platforms
• Evidence of measuring communications effectiveness and using insight to improve outcomes.

You will also be highly organised, comfortable managing competing deadlines and able to exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive communications.

What You’ll Need to Thrive

You will thrive here if you are proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable with change.

No two days are quite the same, so you will need the ability to adapt quickly, stay calm under pressure and take ownership of getting things done. You will enjoy working collaboratively but also be confident using your initiative, challenging constructively and recommending better ways of communicating.

Most importantly, you will bring a can-do approach, strong attention to detail and a genuine desire to create communications that people want to read and engage with.

Why Join UEL?

This is an opportunity to join an ambitious and collaborative communications team at an exciting time for UEL.

You will work across a diverse organisation, partner with senior leaders and colleagues throughout the University, and help shape communications that directly influence staff engagement and organisational culture.

If you are an experienced communications professional who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants to make a visible impact, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits Package

At UEL, we believe that a great role is about more than just a salary. It’s about the complete package, including our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.

We offer a genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.

You can explore our full benefits package here: https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions

Building an Inclusive Future

As an inclusive, equal-opportunities employer, our Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards reflect our ongoing dedication to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and honest that there’s more to do. We’re determined to keep moving forward so everyone at UEL can thrive.

We're a disability confident employer and value all applications. Please let us know if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and commit to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. 

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must therefore already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Closing Date: 29 Oct 2026

Team: Support - UELPS Ltd

Salary: £47,403 to £52,640 per annum inclusive of London Weighting
Pro rata

“Reading Together: Interpersonal Neural Mechanisms of Learning in Caregiver-Child Interactions”

*Unfortunately, we cannot accept international applications, unless self-funded, for this PhD

The Project 

A funded PhD position is available to address a fundamental question in developmental science: how does shared reading between caregivers and young children support early learning, and what are the interpersonal neural mechanisms that underpin these benefits? Shared reading is one of the strongest predictors of children's early language, literacy and cognitive development. Through shared books, children are exposed to new vocabulary, more complex language structures, as well as reciprocal interactions with adults. Experimental research has shown that interventions promoting caregiver-child book sharing can improve children's subsequent language outcome and attention skills. 

Shared reading is a dynamic, interactive process. Caregivers continuously adapt their speech, gaze, gestures and pacing in response to children's attention and behaviour. These moment-to-moment adjustments may create optimal opportunities for learning by helping children attend to, process and retain new information. The temporal coordination of adult behaviour and infant’s neural activity may therefore be a key mechanism through which shared reading supports development.

Currently, however, we understand very little about how learning unfolds moment-to-moment during these interactions, and how underlying neural mechanisms support later developmental outcomes.

The PhD project aims to move beyond quantity-based measures of shared reading to investigate the neural mechanisms through which caregiver-child interactions support learning. By addressing the following questions:

• How do caregivers and children coordinate their behaviour during shared reading, and which features of this interaction create optimal opportunities for learning?
• How does moment-to-moment neural activity, measured using dual-brain EEG, become coordinated between caregivers and children during shared reading?
• How does interpersonal neural coordination relate to children's attention, engagement and learning during shared reading?
• How do the timing and quality of shared reading interactions predict children's subsequent learning and developmental outcomes?

By integrating measures of behaviour, attention and dual-brain neural activity, the project will provide a mechanistic account of how shared reading supports early learning. Combining state-of-the-art caregiver-child EEG recordings with fine-grained measures of interaction will help reveal how learning emerges through real-time coordination between two people, providing new insights into the processes through which early shared experiences shape children's development.

The University and ISEY 

The PhD will be based at The Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth ISEY, at the Stratford Campus of The University of East London. This research institute is led by Prof. Sam Wass, and the PhD will be supervised by Dr Ira Marriott Haresign. The successful candidate would be working within a wider team of 20 researchers at ISEY.

Knowledge exchange and dissemination will be a key part of this PhD and the successful candidate will be expected to share project findings and associated research with teachers and early years practitioners, as part of the training and development services that ISEY offers. Therefore, this role is especially suitable for someone passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice and translating research for a non-scientific audience. This may involve writing articles for educator-facing publications, attending early years events and running online and face to face training, support will be given in these areas. 

The applicant

Experience

The PhD candidate must have a first or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree and preferably a Masters in a discipline relevant to the project. While we expect that this project would suit graduates from a psychology background, we are happy to receive applications from a range of backgrounds that have potential to enhance the project (e.g. computer science, education psychology, media analysis...) 

• Experience working with children is highly desirable. 
• Familiarity with programming and data analysis tools is also preferable as the PhD will involve advanced quantitative data analysis, although support will be given in this area.

Successful applicants should have an interest in auditory or visual attention, speech and language processing, arousal, and EEG.

Methods 

The successful candidates will also potentially use our custom-built wearable devices and be willing to analyse multi-streamed timeseries (physiological and behavioural day-long recordings). 

Familiarity with eye-tracking and EEG is also highly desirable, as is experience with associated data analysis tools. 

ISEY also has a newly developed virtual reality and motion tracking lab and this project may also consider the use of these methods to address the research questions. 

Whilst some remote work is possible, the successful candidate will need to be willing to be based at the ISEY lab, in Stratford, London for at least 50% of the time. During data collection periods PhD students may need to be in London every day. 

Please note that we are drawing all applicants’ attention to the fact that unfortunately, the funding available for this project does not cover the higher tuition fees required for international students. As a result, we are only able to consider applicants who would be classified as UK/home students (including UK nationals and those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme). If you are an international student, I’m afraid we will be unable to proceed with your application unless you are self-funding. 

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email to I.Marriott-haresign@uel.ac.uk by the 20th November 2026. Interviews are likely to take place in December. 

• Please send your CV along with the names and contact details of two referees who will be contacted directly. At least one of the references must be academic. 
• Please also include a personal statement/cover letter (no more than 1000 words) which demonstrates your motivation and readiness for undertaking a PhD and for this specific PhD project.

Funding details and start dates

The PhD can start in January 2027. 

Funding covers tuition fees (approx £5-8k per year) and a stipend set at the ESRC/UKRI rate for London Universities (£22,780 p.a) if studying full time. Part time study is based on 0.6FTE and the stipend will be adjusted accordingly (£13,668), lasting for up to 5 years.

Closing Date: 20 Nov 2026

Team: Graduate Placement

Salary: Funding covers tuition fees (approx £5-8k per year) and a stipend set at the ESRC/UKRI rate for London Universities (£22,780 p.a) if studying full time.
Part time study is based on 0.6FTE and the stipend will be adjusted accordingly (£13,668), lasting for up to 5 years.

The University of East London (UEL) is seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to help shape the next phase of its development as it looks beyond the conventional boundaries of a single university towards a more global, connected and entrepreneurial education group.

UEL is a modern, inclusive university with a distinctive careers-first mission: creating opportunity, connecting education to employment and ensuring that talent, rather than background, determines what comes next. Under Vision 2028, the University has transformed its student experience, graduate outcomes, enterprise activity and financial resilience, providing a strong platform for its next phase of growth.

Forward to 2040 sets out an ambitious next horizon. UEL intends to evolve into a global, multi-entity education group, with a long-term ambition for turnover exceeding £1bn. Its emerging model will encompass international hubs in India, Egypt and the United States, new routes to market, technology-enabled propositions and commercial partnerships, while retaining the public purpose and inclusive mission at the heart of UEL.

The CFO will be one of the principal architects of this next phase. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Group Chief Executive, and working closely with the Vice-Chancellor & President, Board and Executive Leadership Team, they will help build the financial architecture required to support UEL's ambitions: group-wide financial governance, consolidated reporting, investment discipline, capital allocation, commercial insight and scalable systems across an increasingly diverse portfolio.

This is an opportunity to build rather than simply inherit a group finance model. The CFO will combine rigorous financial stewardship with commercial and strategic leadership, protecting UEL's financial resilience while helping to evaluate new markets, investments and partnerships, understand returns and unit economics, and create a finance function capable of supporting sustainable, entrepreneurial growth.

UEL is deliberately looking beyond conventional higher education profiles. Candidates are likely to have operated at CFO or senior Finance Director level in a complex organisation and will bring strong commercial judgement alongside experience of growth, transformation or organisational build. International and/or multi-entity experience will be particularly relevant, as will experience of scaling financial systems and processes and exposure to areas such as corporate development, M&A, partnerships or expansion into new markets.

Cultural contribution will matter as much as technical capability. UEL is collaborative, ambitious and prepared to launch, test, learn and improve. The successful candidate will combine pace and entrepreneurial instinct with financial discipline, constructive challenge and sound judgement, and will be motivated by the opportunity to apply their experience in an institution where commercial ambition sits firmly alongside public purpose.

How to apply

Russell Reynolds Associates is advising the University of East London on this appointment. The closing date for applications is 23:59 GMT on 25 October 2026. To apply, please submit your application through the Russell Reynolds Associates online application portal, quoting reference 2609-063L.

Your application should include:

• a CV setting out your career history, key responsibilities and achievements, including reasons for any gaps within the last two years; and

• a Statement of Suitability of no more than two pages, explaining how your skills, qualities and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Due diligence will be carried out on shortlisted candidates and may include searches of publicly available information, including previous public statements and social media. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, or if you experience difficulty accessing the online application platform, please contact responses@russellreynolds.com, quoting reference 2609-063L.

Closing Date: 25 Oct 2026

Team: Management Support - UELPS Ltd