Research Manager

About TASO

Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) is an affiliate of What Works Centre, and part of the UK government’s What Works Network. Our aim is to help eliminate equality gaps in higher education (HE) through evidence-informed practice.

TASO was set up in 2019 and became an independent charity in April 2021. Our work focuses on the generation, synthesis and dissemination of high-quality evidence about effective practice to widen access and participation in higher education and improve student outcomes. We primarily focus on developing and disseminating findings from impact evaluations and implementation and process evaluations and encourage the sector to do the same by providing higher education professionals access to research, toolkits, evaluation guidance, networks, evaluation training and more.

The Role

The Research Manager will join our research and evaluation team. The post-holder will be responsible for managing multiple research projects and evaluation initiatives and contributing to team and project development.

Responsibilities include:

• Scoping and designing new research projects and impact evaluations in collaboration with higher education providers. This may include projects which incorporate randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental evaluation designs.
• Developing theory of change models and evaluation plans for interventions run by higher education providers.
• Managing research and evaluation projects in collaboration with multiple external organisations.
• Reviewing evaluation protocols, study plans, statistical analysis plans and research and evaluation reports.
• Commissioning of external research and evaluation projects and collaborating with external partners e.g. research agencies, evaluation consultancies, or specialist academic advisors. 
• Overseeing funded projects, ensuring delivery to timelines, value for money for TASO, and timely and proactive risk assessment and mitigation.
• Conducting desk-based research, reviewing existing literature to synthesise the quality of evidence on a given topic, and collating examples of sector good practice.
• Developing/maintaining knowledge of cutting-edge research and methodological developments that is relevant to TASO’s work. Using this knowledge to contribute to the delivery of blog posts and research briefings.
• Contributing to practical evaluation guidance and tools to support practitioners within universities and colleges to better evaluate the activities and programmes they deliver.
• Planning and delivering external training courses on evaluation and presenting research during workshops and other stakeholder engagement events.
• Developing TASO’s relationships with key stakeholders in the higher education sector and contributing to the running and administration of advisory panels formed of external stakeholders.
• Managing junior colleagues to help deliver research projects, providing in-role development of appropriate research skills and other competencies.    

The attributes we are looking for in a Research Manager 

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate their skills and experience against the following criteria in their written application and at interview, for those shortlisted. That said, we welcome applications from candidates with a range of skills and experience and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet each and every criterion specified.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV (no longer than two pages and your response to the three questions in the application form) via the ‘Apply’ button above.

We encourage interested candidates to inquire if you have questions or want to discuss your suitability for this role. We will facilitate brief online conversations with the TASO team, please email people@taso.org.uk to request a call.

Deadline for applications 09:00GMT Monday 8th December. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview by 12th December. Interviews w/c 15th December.

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