Research Fellow (Evaluation of Head Start into Higher Education Programme)

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the evaluation of the Head Start into Higher Education programme which focuses on educational support for care experienced young people. This role will involve supporting an existing evaluation through development and delivery of a participant survey, documentary analysis and case study, as well as supporting writing up of results.

Role Summary

Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation. Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes. Contribute to the development of research strategies. Publish results of own research. Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

- Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
- Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
- Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
- Present high-quality findings in publications and conference proceedings
- Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
- Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
- Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
- Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
- Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding
- Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour in line with university policies

Person Specification

- A PhD relevant to the research area (or near completion), or equivalent PhD-level qualifications
- Extensive research experience and scholarship with respect to the fields of education and social work, to include research with care experienced young people
- Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
- Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
- Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
- Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity
- Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.