Senior Research Associate

Salary on appointment will be £38,784 per annum (pro rata), with an annual increment up to £46,049 per annum (pro rata). 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Research Associate to join the School of Social Work. This is to work on an ongoing NIHR-funded research project about the implementation of hybrid child protection conferences (CPCs), where there is a combination of in-person and online attendance at these important meetings which are an important part of the child protection process. 

As a Senior Research Associate, you will work with the team and a range of stakeholders to conduct in-depth case studies of CPC practice in six local authorities in England using ethnographic methods to generate co-produced guidance on effective hybrid CPC delivery. You will undertake substantial data collection and analysis tasks involving travel and multiple overnight stays working closely with a Research Fellow alongside co-researchers: parents with lived experience of child protection. You will help facilitate the Patient and Public Involvement on the project and supervise a Summer Intern. You may also have the opportunity to be involved in the supervision and teaching of students within the School. 
 
You will have a postgraduate level research degree (or equivalent qualification or experience in a relevant research area) and significant experience in conducting social care research. You will also have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ethical awareness with the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data on a sensitive subject and work effectively as part of a team.
 
This part-time (0.8 FTE) post is available from 1 June 2026 on a fixed term basis for 18 months. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service, including a check of the Child and Vulnerable Adult Barred Lists. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children or vulnerable adults.

Further information on our great benefits package, including 44 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays and additional University Customary days (pro rata for part-time), can be found on our benefits page.

Closing date: 25 March 2026

The University holds an Athena Swan Silver Institutional Award in recognition of our advancement towards gender equality.

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