Research Associate (WCPP)

The Wales Centre for Public Policy is a unique £9 million initiative which is co-funded by the Welsh Government, the ESRC and Cardiff University. Its mission is to increase the use of research evidence by government and public services to improve policy decisions and outcomes for the public. 

Alongside supporting Welsh Government and public services access and apply evidence in their decision-making, the Centre has a programme of work to support the ongoing development of our methods and approaches to knowledge mobilisation and impact. Current projects include assessing and developing processes for determining evidence demand with policy-makers, research-led development of knowledge mobilisation practice, methods for evidence review and synthesis for policy, and capturing and demonstrating knowledge mobilisation impact. 

The Centre is seeking an outstanding researcher to develop, lead and publish from these projects focused on practices of knowledge mobilisation, evidence use, and impact. This will involve literature searching, primary data collection, and writing up the results for external audiences, including in peer-reviewed journals. 

You must have an interest in and understanding of knowledge mobilisation, evidence use, and impact; a commitment to high quality research; excellent communication and organisational skills; the ability to lead research projects, and work effectively as part of a team.

The Centre offers a stimulating and supportive working environment within a highly motivated and collegiate team. You will have access to the wealth of training opportunities provided by Cardiff University. We support hybrid working and other flexible working arrangements but expect staff to work from our offices in the purpose-built Social Science Research Park (SPARK) located on Cardiff University’s £300 million Innovation Campus at least one day per week. 

The post is a full-time appointment available from December 2025 until 31 March 2028. We will consider applications to join the Centre on secondment during this period. To enable the post-holder to focus full-time on research, there is no requirement to undertake teaching. 

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6)

For an informal discussion about the role please contact the Director of Research, Professor James Downe (james.downe@wcpp.org.uk).

Closing date: Tuesday, 16  December 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  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.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

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