Research & Innovation Coordinator – Dementia Care Project

We are seeking a highly-motivated and compassionate individual to drive an innovative and strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project with Dementia Forward, North Yorkshire’s leading dementia charity supporting people living with dementia and their families. 

Working with key stakeholders from Dementia Forward, supported by an interdisciplinary team of academics from Leeds Beckett University, the Research & Innovation Coordinator will play an integral role in implementing evidence-based services and solutions for Young Onset Dementia (YOD), strengthening the charity’s capacity to deliver innovative, person-centred care, and trailblazing new standards for YOD support nationally. 

The Role

You will drive the KTP project plan, implement a programme of work including the following tasks: 

• Collate, review and report on existing and relevant data/literature in relation to YOD and establish a methodology and process for structured data gathering and interpretation.
• Develop resources and data to assist with funding bids, information and marketing that support income generation.
• Design and implement service and pathway solutions (e.g., training and development, technology) that help address YOD care needs and provision gaps.
• Work with key stakeholders to develop a strategic communication plan and ensure successful marketing of the new YOD service and pathway solutions to drive additional income generation.
• Develop evaluation plan and processes for data capture.
• Create a blueprint and dissemination plan for YOD service and pathway solutions for replication/adoption, nationally. 

The Charity

Dementia Forward provides support, advice and information to anybody affected by dementia across North Yorkshire and York. The charity's objective is to ensure families are supported to navigate the complexities of the illness from pre-diagnosis to end of life. Services are provided by 72 staff and 350 trained volunteers with core activities including: 

• A helpline providing emotional and practical support, connecting people to services
• Dementia and Memory Support Advisors who visit families, assess needs and signpost
• Wellbeing Cafés (12 locations) and Brain Health Cafés (3 locations), offering informal advice and peer support
• Hub Clubs delivering day care services in 13 locations and providing support and activities for individuals with dementia and respite for carers
• Young Onset Dementia (YOD) specialist services, including outward bound day services
• Training and awareness sessions and consultancy. 

The role will be based at one of Dementia Forward’s sites (Harrogate or Pocklington) but will work across the charity’s locations, with a modest travel and subsistence budget to support this.

The Person

We encourage applications from individuals with a Bachelor’s degree (min. 2:1), ideally in health care, social care or social sciences (e.g., psychology). A Master’s degree and/or PhD would be advantageous. You should have experience working with vulnerable groups, and of undertaking research, ideally within a UK health or social care setting. The ability to communicate in an engaging and accessible manner (written and verbal) is also an essential requirement.

In addition, candidates must be able to demonstrate excellent project management skills with the ability to work flexibly, utilising effective interpersonal skills with a variety of stakeholders, to lead and drive objectives.

To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please email: Laura Forester-Green (l.t.forester-green@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)

Closing date: Thursday 5th June 2026 (23:59)

For more information and to apply please visit: https://tinyurl.com/5ya53vsv

We welcome applications from all individuals and particularly from black and minority ethnic candidates as members of these groups are currently under-represented at this level of post. All appointments will be based on merit.

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