Research Associate (Public Involvement)

The role

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Associate/Public Involvement Lead to support the successful delivery of the COSIE project. COSIE is examining the feasibility of evaluating a training intervention focused on increasing the recruitment and retention of fathers in evidence based parenting programmes. The team includes eight qualitative and quantitative researchers across the School for Policy Studies and the Medical School, working in partnership with three local authorities and a public involvement group of fathers who have experience of parenting programmes. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and your role will be leading, co-ordinating and supporting all aspects of the Fathers Involvement Group to ensure that the group contributes meaningfully to the success of the project. 

Hybrid working is available – to be agreed in discussion with line manager and PI. 

What will you be doing?

• You will lead on all aspects of working with the Fathers Involvement Group. This will involve recruiting members to the group, working with the group to establish chairing arrangements and meeting processes.  
• You will ensure that processes are established for members to be paid for their contributions in a timely manner. 
• Working with the Principal Investigator, you will organise workshops and training for members of the group so that they are prepared to co-deliver the training intervention with practitioners in local authority settings. 
• You will work with members of the group, the project team and a film production company to produce a short film about the project. 
• You will work with the chair of the group to prepare reports for the Programme Management Group and Study Steering Group to ensure that the views of the group are represented at all levels of the project. 
• You will attend project meetings and contribute to dissemination events and writing for publication. 

You should apply if

• You are excited about working in university research projects related to social care. 
• You have experience of working with public involvement groups, especially in research projects. 
• You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands. 
• You have excellent communication skills both in-person and online, using a range of IT platforms for teamworking. 
• You facilitate excellent working relationships with people you work with, including members of the public and academic staff. 
• You approach problems with a positive attitude and a creative approach to finding solutions. 

Additional information

For informal queries please contact: Dr Jon Symonds, Senior Lecturer in Social Work with Children and Families, +44 (0)117 455 7906, jon.symonds@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open Ended with Fixed Funding until 31/12/2027

Work pattern: Part time (3.5 hours per week)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 3rd December 2025

Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 11th December 2025

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