RSS Senior Research Programme Manager

The role

This post supports the Grassroots Empowerment strategic programme of the national Research Support Service Specialist Social Care Centre, funded by National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). The Research Support Service (RSS) Specialist Centre is a collection of leading specialists in adult and children’s social care research, a national disability rights group and three local grassroots organisations representing diverse communities using social care.

We are looking for a new RSS Senior Research Programme Manager to ensure excellent coordination of activities within the strategic programme, and between the programme team based at the University of Bristol and Disability Rights UK, the central RSS team based at University of York, and our funders at NIHR.

What will you be doing?

The Research Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the project runs in accordance with the agreed programme plan, ensure that all programme information is appropriately documented and secured, and monitor the progress of the programme. This will entail some autonomy in decision-making and a high degree of skill in working with a wide range of stakeholders in both academic and community settings. They will co-ordinate and develop protocols, prepare reports, briefing papers and programme strategies and policies, communicate information about the programme and ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality.

They will additionally be responsible for overseeing the development of a grassroots network ‘platform’ and an annual network event (such as a conference); and that the programme team liaises appropriately with other relevant agencies and organisations that are key to the successful delivery of the work. They will provide leadership for the programme staff (some of whom work in other organisations, from a geographical distance or are required to travel extensively for their work) and coordinate staff work plans to meet programme objectives.

You should apply if

You are passionate about the human rights and issues affecting social care service users, and driving forward the work to improve engagement of grassroots organisations in research. You should be able to work within a multidisciplinary team, manage a complex personal workload, and have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiating skills. Some experience of working with research is important, and some understanding of social care would be beneficial (but not required).

Additional information

For informal queries about the role please contact: Professor Jason Schaub (jason.schaub@bristol.ac.uk)

Contract type: Open ended with fixed term funding until 30th September 2028

Work pattern: Part time, Grade: K, Salary: £50,253 - £58,225 per annum pro rata

Other information: Less than 50% time / 0.5 FTE will be considered. Hybrid working is available.

Advert/recruitment timeline:

• This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Monday 17th November 2025.
• Shortlisting: Tuesday 18th November 2025
• Application outcome communications: Either Tuesday 18th or Wednesday 19th November 2025.
• Interviews: Tuesday 25th November 2025

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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