Research Associate - Wales Centre for Public Policy

Co-funded by the Welsh Government, Economic and Social Research Council and Cardiff University, the Wales Centre for Public Policy bridges the gap between academic research and policy makers/practitioners by generating and mobilising evidence that improves policy decisions and public services.  

Its staff come from a range of backgrounds including academia, the civil service, health service, local government, think tanks and the voluntary sector.

The Centre is a member of the UK’s What Works network and the International Public Policy Observatory. It collaborates with leading researchers from across the UK and internationally to generate, synthesise and mobilise research evidence that can be applied to tackle pressing economic, environmental and social challenges. Staff enjoy excellent access to senior policy makers and public service leaders which enables them to achieve research impact at national and local level.

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding individual to contribute to our work with the International Public Policy Observatory. The post offers a unique opportunity to manage and conduct high quality, policy research, working closely with leading researchers and policy makers who are at the heart of current policy developments and debates including how to achieve net-zero, tackling socio-economic and spatial inequalities, and support recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

You must have a good understanding of public policy; the ability to work directly with public service leaders; a commitment to high quality policy relevant research; excellent communication and organisational skills; and the ability to work as part of the Centre’s wider team. 

The post is full-time and available from 1st April 2024 until 1st March 2028 with the possibility of renewal thereafter subject to further funding. It offers a stimulating and supportive working environment with flexible working arrangements; a generous university pension scheme; a wealth of training opportunities; and a base in the new Social Science Research Park (SPARK) located on Cardiff’s £300 million Innovation Campus. The Centre supports hybrid working and the successful candidate will need to be available to work from its offices in Cardiff two days per week.

We encourage potential applicants to contact Professor James Downe (Acting Director of the Wales Centre for Public Policy – email james.downe@wcpp.org.uk) or Dan Bristow (Director of Policy & Practice – email dan.bristow@wcpp.org.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.  We will consider applications to join the Centre on a secondment basis for a minimum of 12 months.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), advertised on a fixed term basis from 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2028.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6).

Closing date: Sunday, 14 April 2024

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. 

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