Senior Research Fellow

Would you like to be a part of world-leading research which will improve the lives of children and young people supported by children’s social care services?

The Rees Centre, based at the University of Oxford’s Department of Education, is expanding with two exciting opportunities which will help the Centre step up its programme of academic research. The Centre produces research and evidence that enables practitioners, policy makers, and the research community to understand and improve children’s social care and education.

Following the launch of our new five-year strategy, we are seeking a Senior Research Fellow, who will be a skilled researcher with a track record in significant research in relation to education and children’s social care. They will lead a programme of research and contribute to other projects and the culture and environment of our Centre and wider Department.

The role will be based at the Rees Centre which produces research and evidence that enables practitioners, policy makers, and the research community to understand and improve children’s social care and education.

A recognised leader in your field, you will be responsible for supporting the Centre’s engagement and participation with stakeholders and partners in policy and practice. You will raise funds and manage your own research project(s) within one or more of the programme’s research themes. The role will have responsibility, working with the Rees Director and Senior Leadership Team, across programme leadership, research and for contributing to the academic life, culture and community of the Rees Centre.

You will hold a relevant postgraduate degree with significant post-qualification research experience in Children’s Social Care and/or education as it relates to disadvantaged groups. You will have significant expertise in a range of research methodologies and an established reputation and publication track record. You will have an existing network within the world of children’s social care or education, and experience in successfully leading research projects and teams of research staff.

Our new strategy sets out our vision for a future where children and young people supported by Children’s Social Care (CSC) have more stable and robust relationships, better educational outcomes, and better lives. You would join a team of committed research and professional services staff drawn from various academic disciplines who have policy and practice experience in education and children’s social care.

This post is full time and offered on a fixed term for 4 years.

We welcome applications from care-experienced people.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV and a statement of research interests and future research plans as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post.

Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Monday 18th August 2025 will be considered. Interviews are planned to be held week commencing 1 September 2025, at the Department of Education, Oxford.

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