any point in applying for a research asst position aged 50?

[KnitPurlKnitPurl]

A research vacancy - part time - has come up in the institution where I am currently 2 years into a 3 years part-time Masters. The research vacancy is in a related but not identical field to my Masters, in the Arts and Humanities faculty. My undergraduate degree is not particularly relevant to the subject matter of the research project, but the Masters is very relevant, as is the large project I am completing at the end of this year (after which I could exit with a PG Dip should I wish to do so).

I am considering applying but think my age will go against me. I know that age discrimination is not a thing but when they look at my CV and see that I graduated with my undergrad degree in 1995 and have 25 years work experience, they will know I'm old. The Dr leading the project is lots younger than me. It's a 12 month fixed term contract part time, so would allow me to both work and complete my MSc, but I don't think that being a masters student in the same institution would necessarily be points in my favour?

Just don't want to waste time applying for something I haven't a cat's chance in hell of getting.

Academia is the least age-prejudiced workplace I've had.
Self-defeatest isn't a way to get stuff you want in life.
Try not to bring your own age-related prejudice into this situation.

I know of research assistants of older ages. You have nothing to lose by applying. They may value your life experience.

Unless the research assistant position requires you be familiar with youth culture, I don't see why your age would work against you. Younger research assistants often require more hand holding because they have little experience so I would think your age isn't a drawback. The main thing would be convincing them that you can balance the work with your MA. Where I work, when hiring research assistants we mainly want someone who will complete tasks to a high standard, not create extra work, and won't leave us in the lurch.

Age shouldn't be an issue, but qualifications might be. Most RA posts in my field ask for PhDs, but it might be different in your field.

Thank you all. The position asks for a relevant higher degree or equivalent experience. The person spec also talks a lo about managing your own workload and working independently - I have been self-employed as a writer for 15 years before going back for my MSc so tick all those boxes.

As my MSc is part time, this final year is just writing up the dissertation. I haven't picked a topic yet; it would obviously make sense to choose something related to the research project if I was hired.

Just go and talk to the Dr who you would work for - this would be the easiest way to find out!

I would email and ask for a brief meeting to discuss the post. They may already know who they want, or they may get no decent applications at all and be keen to hire you!

Sorry I just read my post again, and realise that sounds like I am saying you would only be hired if no one else applies! That’t not what I meant at all, i just meant you don’t know what they are looking for really, so go ask and good luck!

I second what @icelollies wrote. Email the principal investigator to express interest. Good luck.

this final year is just writing up the dissertation

In my long experience of supervising, it is never "just" writing up. Be prepared for it to be harder than you anticipate.

But as others say, if there's an email address or phone number for 'informal enquiries' ask! As a PI, I'm always happy to talk to potential candidates for RA posts.

I do not think age would be a concern at all. Having demonstrable experience in managing your own workload (and not in a "I had to do lots of time management as an UG student" sort of way) could even play in your favour. My main concern would be competition - with academic positions being scarce, even research assistant posts might attract people with PhDs. But you'll never know until you apply, and you have nothing to lose by doing so.

Absolutely worth apply, and I can't see why age would be an issue, but IME research assistant posts in Arts/Hums are often stupidly in demand, as @aridapricot says. A 12 month part-time contract sounds like the sort of thing people get towards the end of a PhD/between postdocs, so it could it would be competitive.

Yes I had wondered about competition. I have taken everyone's advice and emailed the Dr leading the project, briefly explained my background and have said I'm really interested. Have also asked my current lead tutor if she'd act as a reference.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Why would you not?

Time and effort - I have a very busy few weeks coming up with proper (paid) work, and family stuff, and trying to complete my project for this year of my course. If everyone had me I had a 0.0001% chance of being successful, it's ot a good use of my time.