Research Fellow - Social Policy

Position Details

School of Social Policy

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322. With potential progression once in post to £42,792 a year.Due to funding restrictions maximum starting salary available for this post will be £32,817.

Grade 7

Full time

Fixed term contract for up to 24 months

Field work would involve travel to case study sites with possible overnight stays depending on location

No bank holidays or weekends expected

Closing Date: 8th November 2020

Job Purpose

To support and conduct research as part of a new NIHR-funded study project (Why are we stuck in hospital? Understanding service user, family and staff perspectives when transforming care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism) by undertaking a specified range of activities within a specific research project.

• Work as part of a team to deliver the funded research project
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data
• Contribute to the dissemination of academic and policy/practice outputs
• Contribute to the impact of the research on services and on people's lives

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the delivery of the NIHR-funded research project (Why are we stuck in hospital? Understanding service user, family and staff perspectives when transforming care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism)
• Contributing to the submission of applications for NHS research ethics/local Research and Development approvals
• Contributing to the project's literature review, interviews, focus groups and visits to case study sites
• Collating, analysing and interpreting data
• Working closely with our project partner, Changing Our Lives, to ensure effective team-working and communication
• Applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Drafting and disseminating findings for academic publication and for policy/practice outputs
• Undertaking management/administration arising from the project
• Contributing to Departmental/School research-related activities and seminars
• Dealing with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promoting equality and valuing diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

Essential:

• PhD in a relevant area and discipline, or equivalent qualifications
• Experience of undertaking applied research (including literature reviewing, interviews and focus groups)
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research project
• Working independently as well as part of a team
• Co-ordinate own work with others to ensure effective team-working
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Desirable:

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or in people whose voices are 'seldom heard'
• Experience of research which influences policy, practice and people's lives
• Experience of NHS research ethics approvals

For informal inquiries please contact Jon Glasby, J.Glasby@bham.ac.uk

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community '