Researcher Jobs

Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Research to lead our research initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience in infectious diseases, a strong background in biomedical research, international collaboration and a proven track record of managing and leading research projects. This is a key leadership role that will drive our efforts to prevent and cure meningitis and septicaemia through innovative research and collaboration. Initially managing a small team, the Director will lead on growing the team to support the new research strategy launching in 2025.

This role will report directly in to the charities CEO.

Lead responsibilities

• Strategy – development and implementation.
• Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) accredited grant awards and management process including research funding rounds; grant awards; grant management and all aspects of reporting for the research portfolio and impact of projects funded by MRF.
• Recruitment, development and management of MRFs Scientific Advisory Panel and their participation in the grant awards process.
• Externally funded research projects including concept development, partner identification, writing, developing and where necessary producing peer-reviewed academic papers of relevance to MRFs strategy and shorter briefing documents and presentations as required.
• MRF’s in-house research including concept development, writing, developing and produce peer-reviewed academic papers of relevance to MRFs strategy and shorter briefing documents and presentations as required.
• Research environment horizon scanning to appropriately brief internal teams on new developments in the field that are relevant to their work.
• Secretariat of the Global Meningitis Genome Partnership (GMGP).
• Representing MRF as a collaborative patient representative partner on external academic research projects and panels.
• Conferences and Meetings- Working with external experts, on the development and agreement of suitable agenda, speakers and formats for the MRF Scientific Research conference.
• Representing MRF at key research conferences and events, and seek opportunities to present latest in-house research and projects.
• Policy integration. Working with the Head of Health Insights and Policy to ensure latest research evidence is fully integrated into MRFs policy strategy, framework and activities.
• Responding to external consultations that are focused on research and the research environment with relevance to meningitis.
• Represent MRF on relevant sector bodies and working groups; present to high level external stakeholders about our work; represent beneficiaries of our work to various bodies including national and international health bodies; industry; researchers, public health officials and civil society representatives; deputising for CEO as required.
• Media. Support communications teams on research content for media use; represent MRF in the media as required.
• Report quarterly to CEO on performance of the Directorate and prepare papers and presentations as required for committee and full Board meetings.
• Develop and recommend an annual budget and operating plan for the Directorate to the CEO, monitor and report on implementation throughout the year. Liaise with the Director of Finance and Administration to ensure accurate and timely production of management accounts; inputs to development of other departments; and uphold the financial policies and procedures of the charity.
• Being an active member of the senior leadership team, supporting other departments and teams to achieve their goals and helping to communicate progress of the charity with staff and volunteers.

Experience required

• Published researcher or research management in health or scientific environment/field.
• Research grant management and portfolio oversight.
• Presented multiple times at international research conferences.
• Extensive relevant networks in research and academic community.
• Recent experience of being an organisation’s spokesperson on research activities, including to the media.
• Have represented a research unit or equivalent body on inter-organisational working groups of relevance to public health.
• Extensive experience leading teams including budget setting and strategic planning.
• Strategy development and implementation.
• Senior external stakeholder management.
• Representation or accreditation with or on a professional body relevant to the area of subject expertise.
• Budget management experience relevant to Directorate scale and strategy.
• Have presented to Boards/Senior stakeholders internally and externally on multiple occasions.
• Lead, developed and managed a team/department/organisation/operation >10 people.
• A PhD in a relevant discipline or relevant equivalent life experience.
• A second European language, ideally French, desirable.

Key Competencies for all Directors at MRF

Leadership behaviours

• Strategy: Develops and executes strategic plans within directorate.
• Leadership: Leads and aligns directorate goals with organisational objectives.
• Management: Monitors and enhances directorate performance.
• Finances: Develops, recommends and optimizes directorate budgets.
• Supervision: Guides and mentors heads of departments & wider teams.
• Team contribution: Ensures directorate operates as a highly effective team aligned to values.
• Communicating progress: Regularly reports progress to the CEO, SLT and board.

Values

• Evidence-led: Bases directorate strategies on data and research.
• Integrity: Upholds ethical practices within directorate.
• Determination: Steadfast in achieving directorate goals.
• Passionate Advocate: Promotes the mission of the charity confidently to internal and external stakeholders with conviction.
• Collaboration: Identifies partnership opportunities; encourages cross-directorate and departmental cooperation.
• Compassion: Role models compassion for beneficiaries and staff within directorate.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV with a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in the position. CV’s sent through without a covering letter will not be considered.

Applications should be sent to Kate Gill by 5pm on Friday 21st February 2025.

Candidates wishing to have an informal exploratory conversation before applying can also contact Kate to set up a call with Vinny Smith.

Equal Opportunities

Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates that may previously have, or feel like they have, experienced being excluded from generally advertised roles due to their gender, ethnicity, disability status or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

Meningitis Research Foundation is committed to safeguarding, and any advertised role will require references, confirmation of your identity and your right to work in the UK. Following receipt of satisfactory references, the successful candidate will be able to start work soon after receiving their offer of employment.

You will support the development of targeted and high-value knowledge products drawn from the evidence of our work with communities around the world.  In particular, the role will focus on knowledge and research relating to our work with the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance and working directly with other colleagues across the Alliance’s nine partner organisations.

About you

We are looking for a passionate and committed individual, with proven experience of working with field teams and research professionals to produce high quality research and well-written knowledge products.

Accountabilities

• Working with country teams to capture best practice and case studies from their work through interviews and review of existing information
• Stakeholder interviews for case-studies relating to the themes – for example, ‘umbrella briefs’ focusing on Alliance best practice
• Desk research / literature reviews – informed by the Theme leads
• Support Theme leads with stakeholder surveys (mainly inside the Alliance) to establish capacity gaps, user needs and learning questions relating to the Alliance themes
• Using the learning captured to write knowledge products, focusing on learning for practice.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to produce excellent written content in English, including the ability to write to given content structures and for different audiences.
• Professional experience of carrying out literature reviews, desk research, developing research methodologies, conducting key informant interviews, and qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools – particularly collaboration tools such as Teams
• Experience of working in a complex multicultural and multisector environment
• Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent work experience.

Team: Philanthropy & Partnerships

Location: Homebased with some travel for meetings & events

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary: Up to £36,649 per annum

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our enthusiastic employees, volunteers, and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our Senior Prospect Research Officer

• The prospect research officer will join a dynamic team contributing to the overall growth of our Partnerships and Philanthropic income and sits within the newly formed Research and Engagement team.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for providing detailed knowledge and insight on donors and potential sources of philanthropic funds. Underpinning the team's ability to increase opportunities to build successful donor relationships alongside ethical gift acceptance processes, pipeline, and information management.

About the Philanthropy & Partnerships team:

• We sit within the Marketing & Income Generation directorate.
• Our team is responsible for ensuring direct fundraisers are equipped to make compelling asks and steward donors. We cover prospect research, KPI and pipeline reporting, high value events, stewardship and engagement asset creation, and cross team operational support.

What we are looking for in our Senior Prospect Research Officer

• Significant experience of charity fundraising within a high value giving team and prospect research using a variety of sources and methods
• Extensive experience of developing strong relationships with key stakeholders across philanthropy and corporate fundraising teams
• Experience of using a CRM database and working with existing identified prospects
• Extensive knowledge of prospect research processes and sources used in post GDPR research activities.

What we can offer you:

• range of health benefits
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing.
• and much more, which you can learn about 

Interested? Here’s how to apply:

Application closing date: 17th February 2025

Virtual interview date:  Week commencing 24th February 2025

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. Anonymised application form

2. Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Meningitis Research Foundation is an international health charity headquartered in the UK, driven by a passionate mission to prevent the devastating impact of meningitis. Founded by individuals whose lives were profoundly affected by meningitis, we are dedicated to enabling positive change by uniting people and knowledge to save lives. The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) is our worldwide network of people and groups who are driven by a shared purpose to defeat meningitis. By coming together to share their diverse experience and expertise, they are a formidable global force against this life-threatening condition.

The role

A key role in our Research team, the Research Projects Manager will be responsible for developing and managing our research projects and grants programme, in alignment with our new research strategy. As part of this, you will manage our genomics programme of research, which includes an exciting multi-stakeholder, international project, designed to understand barriers and opportunities to use of whole genome sequencing in low- and middle-income countries.

This role reports to the Director of Research.

Responsibilities

Research project management

• Manage our internally driven research projects including scoping, planning, designing, budgeting and reporting on activity to internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise with research partners and funders on research project development and activity.
• Connect research projects to colleagues working on related activities in Insights and Policy, and Communications and Engagement.
• Brief Fundraising teams on research projects and progress.

Research grants

• Project Manage the launch of grants rounds and co-ordination of peer review procedures, in alignment with the UK Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) requirements.
• Lead on the development and maintenance of all application, peer review and grant management procedures.
• Project Manage administering post award processing, monitoring, reporting and governance of successful grant applications.

Research collaboration

• Support the Director of Research to identify and respond to relevant meningitis research consultations in the UK and internationally.
• Work with Director of Research to identify, monitor and respond to developments in the UK and international research funding environment and help draft grant applications.
• Collaborate with Health Insights and Policy colleagues, to enable research to inform MRF’s policy positions.

Research strategy

• In collaboration with the Head of Research, support implementation of our research strategy.

Build an approach to strengthen involvement of those with lived experience in research

• Identify and develop opportunities for those with lived experience with MRF funded and externally funded research
• Work with the Director of Research to develop a Patient and Public Involvement strategy.

Qualifications & Experience

• A degree in relevant biomedical science or equivalent.
• Previous experience of performing peer review and grant management, ideally in line with Association of Medical Research Charity (AMRC) requirements.
• Strong knowledge of UK research funding environment.
• Demonstrable management skills or a professional project management qualification.
• Project Budget management experience.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise competing demands

Key competencies

Leadership behaviours

• Strategy: Aligns team goals with organizational strategy.
• Leadership: Motivates and leads team members.
• Management: Manages day-to-day operations and projects.
• Finances: Monitors and manages team budget expenditure.
• Supervision: Supervises senior executives and executives.
• Team contribution: Promotes team engagement and productivity
• Communicating progress: Reports team progress to senior manager or Director.

Values

• Evidence-led: Uses evidence to inform team activities.
• Integrity: Practices honesty and ethical behaviour.
• Determination: Committed to achieving team goals.
• Passionate Advocate: Advocates for the Foundation’s vision and mission.
• Collaboration: Encourages team collaboration and support.
• Compassion: Ensures a supportive environment for patients and team members.

What we offer you

• £35,000 to £39,999 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience,
• 2% employee pension contribution + 6% employer pension contribution.
• Flexible working arrangements between work and home. Fully remote working also available.
• 25 days holiday

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV with a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and interest in the position. CV’s sent through without a covering letter will not be considered.

Applications should be sent to Kate Gill by 5pm on Friday 21st  February 2025.

Candidates wishing to have an informal exploratory conversation before applying can also contact Kate to set up a call with Vinny Smith.

Equal Opportunities

Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates that may previously have, or feel like they have, experienced being excluded from generally advertised roles due to their gender, ethnicity, disability status or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

Meningitis Research Foundation is committed to safeguarding, and any advertised role will require references, confirmation of your identity and your right to work in the UK. Following receipt of satisfactory references, the successful candidate will be able to start work soon after receiving their offer of employment.

Researcher
Advertising Reference: 2413
Location: London or Northern Ireland 
Status: Permanent, 35 hours per week
Salary: (Band 4) £33,194 (National weighting) £35,886 (London weighting) with generous benefits package including 30 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, and 3 days of Christmas closure

For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

The purpose of this role is to support the research, evaluation and evidence activity in NCB, working across a range of projects.  The role involves designing and undertaking primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis relating to children and young people and producing outputs under the supervision of senior researchers. The post holder will also represent NCB at external events and meetings, contribute to funding proposals and support the engagement of children, young people and parents in research work.

The post holder will join a team of researchers based in London and Belfast and will have the opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of projects that have a direct impact on policy, services and outcomes for children and families.  Projects span a range of areas including social care, youth justice, early childhood development, education, and mental health.

Applications close at 8:00AM on Monday 24th February 2025. 

Please quote the job title and reference number in your application. CVs will not be accepted.

Assessment and interviews to be conducted on Monday 10th March and Tuesday 11th March 2025. 

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. NCB is an equal opportunities employer, and we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities, and male candidates, as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at NCB. We strive for our workforce to be representative of the communities that we serve and we know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

No agencies please.

The Vacancy:

RBLI Charity supports disadvantaged Forces veterans from all over the UK in a dynamic Village HQ, and through an award-winning national employability programme called Lifeworks which reaches unemployed veterans all over the UK.

At this time RBLI is undertaking an ambitious appeal to develop Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Co. (BBMC) one of the largest social enterprise operations in the UK. The role is a key driving force within RBLI’s big gifts function. To support this £12.5m campaign RBLI is looking for an experienced prospect researcher with strong event experience.

RBLI’s Village and social enterprise factory are memorable places to visit and this is transformative for our relationships with our supporters and customers. Meeting staff and residents brings to life what their donations will be able to achieve.  It is important for the Fundraising and BBMC teams to host supporters and customers both current and potential.  Our visitors also include senior military personnel and dignitaries.

The postholder will work closely with senior stakeholders internally and externally and will take the lead in ensuring events and charity visits run smoothly and achieve their goals. 

The company:

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is a national charity that has been helping those in need for over 100 years, providing support to the Armed Forces community, those with disabilities and those who have found themselves unemployed.

Each RBLI division offers a service to help veterans live an independent life with whatever support they require resulting in the successful delivery of a full-care pathway on-site to help veterans of any age or background from across the three services.

Permanent, part-time (4 days per week)

Remote working with regular meetings in London

Immediate start

About us

Sustainability First is a leading UK think tank and charity that acts as a critical friend to businesses, regulators, governments, and civil society, to create more sustainable energy and water sectors in the UK. We work tirelessly to advocate for policies that support environmental and consumer protection and to engage the public through accessible and impactful communication. We believe that it is possible to create a thriving economy that respects environmental limits and enables social equity.

About the role

We are seeking an analytical thinker with a curiosity-driven mindset and a collaborative approach to working. This role will be central to our ongoing success as a highly regarded independent research organisation, building an evidence base in favour of embedding sustainability principles into business practices, regulatory and public policy thinking. You will help to amplify our voice with decisionmakers, including business leaders, senior officials in central government, regulatory bodies, and amongst politicians, helping to shape public policy and legislation for a socially equitable and environmentally sustainable economy.

Ideally, you will have a sector-specific understanding (energy and/or water utilities), including familiarity with key policies and strategies, such as Net Zero targets, climate adaptation strategies, and consumer vulnerability protections. You will be able to draft practical policy recommendations, informed by evidence and stakeholder input, and be familiar with key players, including government departments, regulators, consumer groups, industry bodies, and environmental organizations. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a core role in our charity, as well as make a tangible impact on the environment and social equity in the UK.

The post will be primarily based remotely, working from home, but with access to shared office space in Camden and Monument in London. Our board of trustees meet twice a year in person in central London (and twice more online), and our Executive Director is often in London for meetings once or twice a week. You must also be able to attend occasional meetings in central London and be willing to travel (infrequently) within the UK.

For further details about the role, please download the job description.

How to apply

Please click the apply button to be taken to our vacancies page. 

When applying, please submit a CV (no more than three pages of A4) and covering letter that sets out how you meet the selection criteria for this role. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. 

Closing date: Sunday 8th February 2025.

Interviews will be online via Microsoft Teams in February.

We apologise that due to the expected high levels of applications we may not be able to reply to all candidates. If you have not heard from us by 28th February, please assume you have not been shortlisted.

Sustainability First is an equal opportunities employer and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion through its work, and through its employment practices. You must be able to work in the UK to take up this role.

We are recruiting for an analyst and storyteller to drive our thinking. And we need your help to make this happen.

We know the numbers. We know the challenges. What happens next will define us for generations.

The post holder will be responsible for maximising our policy impact through high quality research and policy analysis on the economic aspects of ageing.

The context is a challenging one.

For example, in the UK over the past quarter of a century:

• Inequalities in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have grown.
• While more of us are working longer into our lives, 50–64-year-olds are still less likely to be in employment than people aged 25-49. Opportunities to learn to support longer working lives are limited.
• The public sector has built very few new homes and the private sector hasn’t been able to fill the gap for first- or last-time buyers.

And globally

• Almost 60 million children in primary school age are not in school.
• Only 20% of older people in low-income countries receive a pension.
• Climate Change and antimicrobial resistance threatens progress made over the past 25 years.

Yet there is a lot going on and plenty of opportunities to help deliver our ambitious plans.

• The UN and WHO are leading the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
• The Westminster Government is seeking to reform the NHS to focus more on preventative health to support healthier long lives.

We need a Research and Policy Lead with excellent analytical ability and strong writing skills who has a passion for, and understanding of, UK public policy, to join the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society.

The post holder must be able to work at pace, undertaking research, analysing evidence, assessing key trends, and working out what this means for society and who needs to do what.

They must be able to work on multiple complex projects at the same time. Candidates must have experience in conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research, an ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and the drive to lead on future projects.

The ideal candidate will have high level competency in interpreting and communicating complex data and a broad understanding of, and interest in, current economic and social policy.

The context is a challenging one.

For example, in the UK over the past quarter of a century:

• Inequalities in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have grown.
• While more of us are working longer into our lives, 50–64-year-olds are still less likely to be in employment than people aged 25-49. Opportunities to learn to support longer working lives are limited.
• The public sector has built very few new homes and the private sector hasn’t been able to fill the gap for first- or last-time buyers.

And globally:

• Almost 60 million children of primary school age are not in school,
• Only 20% of older people in low-income countries receive a pension,
• Climate Change and antimicrobial resistance threatens progress made over the past 25 years.

Yet there is a lot going on and plenty of opportunities to help deliver our ambitious plans:

• The UN and WHO are leading the Decade of Healthy Ageing,
• The Westminster Government is seeking to reform the NHS to focus more on preventative health to support healthier long lives.

The Bridge Group is a non-profit consultancy that uses research to promote social equality. We do this by supporting organisations of all kinds with independent expertise, research and practical know-how to enable them to make a tangible impact on socio-economic diversity and social equality.

We are seeking to appoint a Researcher (Quantitative analysis) to contribute to the design and delivery of research, with a particular focus on preparing and analysing quantitative data. The Researcher will normally be involved with research projects focusing on higher education and/or employment in relation to people from lower socio-economic backgrounds: their access, experiences and progression.

The location is flexible: Bridge Group staff normally work remotely and are currently dispersed across the UK and beyond. We want our Team to be diverse, because having a range of perspectives and experience benefits our work, and we particularly encourage people who are diverse by socio-economic and/or ethnic background to apply.

This will be a part-time role, as outlined above, and will be one year fixed-term contract in the first instance (with possibility of extension).

All staff receive 28 days paid leave, plus UK bank holidays (leave allocated pro rata for part time appointments), plus a tax-free remote working allowance worth up to £26 per month.

To read the full job specification and apply, click "Apply via website" to be taken to the right page.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.   Contribute to the design and delivery of research

Data analysis will vary from routine coding and mapping to descriptive statistics and advanced approaches including correlation analysis, ANOVAs and regression analysis. In preparing data, the Researcher will identify the need for clarifications and additional information on the data, and will clearly communicate these queries. The Researcher will undertake this work in strict compliance with the Charity’s policies on data security and confidentiality.

2.   Collaborate with colleagues

The Researcher will normally work alongside the Senior Researcher (Quantitative), who will typically lead on the quantitative aspect of research projects and will allocate responsibilities to the Researcher. The Researcher will be expected to undertake these with relatively little guidance and share their findings with the research team, working alongside colleagues to synthesise qualitative and quantitative findings and understand how findings from various strands of research address key research questions.

3.   Communicate research findings

The Researcher will clearly present their specific outputs to the Senior Researcher and/or other colleagues through concise informal reports. They will contribute verbally to internal meetings of the research team. The Researcher may contribute to drafting external reports (or sections of reports), presenting findings in a style accessible to a range of audiences.

4.   Operational contributions

There will also be other more operational tasks associated with the role, working in collaboration with colleagues in the Charity. These are likely to include administrative tasks for meetings and events; communications with stakeholders, including by phone and email; copywriting; and website contributions.

SKILLS, UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIENCE

We seek candidates with the following attributes:

Quantitative research

• Have experience in advanced statistical approaches including, for example, ANOVA, and non-parametric approaches
• Understand how these are used to explore social equality issues and are aware of recent published work in this area
• Have substantial experience of identifying the most appropriate approach to explore specific research questions within the context of the data available and the organisation(s) involved
• Have experience of working with large datasets that were not generated for research purposes and require extensive mapping and manipulation
• Are happy to undertake routine tasks, such as checking and cleaning datasets; matching and coding of datasets; and general descriptive statistics
• Pay uncompromising attention to accuracy and detail; and are skilled in identifying data challenges and limitations early in the process wherever possible
• In addition, it would be an advantage to have experience of working with deprivation/disadvantage metrics used in research relating to education and employment (e.g. Index of Multiple Deprivation and HESA measures)

Interpreting and presenting findings

• Have excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills, allowing you to collaborate with colleagues on research tasks and a broad understanding of qualitative research approaches so you can work alongside qualitative researcher colleagues to synthesise quantitative and qualitative findings

​Socio-economic equality and diversity

• Are committed to the Bridge Group's vision of a higher education system and labour market where outcomes are determined by competence and hard work, and not by socio-economic background and understand the key issues relating to social equality in the UK

General

• Have completed a postgraduate research degree (or have equivalent professional experience).

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.

As Research Impact and Engagement Lead, you will be integral in leading our impact and engagement workstreams within the research team. You will lead the implementation our research impact programme to ensure that we appropriately monitor and report on the impact of our life-saving research. You lead the delivery of a programme of researcher engagement activity into regular practice, establishing our stewardship programme to bring us closer to our funded researchers and the wider blood cancer research community. 

This is an exciting time to join the organisation as we work to deliver our strategy, funding impactful research to drive forward the day when nobody dies of their blood cancer or its treatment.  

Expected travel for this role is approximately 1 day a week: meetings with researchers, conferences, team workshops, team/department away days plus two all-staff away days a year

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

First stage interviews will be virtual and held on 13th and or 14th February 2025. 

Second stage interviews will take place in person at our London office, to be held the following week, date TBC.

We are looking for a Research Manager to develop our work investigating and reporting on the UK nuclear weapons programme, nuclear disarmament and related issues.

This is an exciting and challenging time to join Nuclear Information Service (NIS) as the UK continues its controversial work on Trident replacement and the building of the Dreadnought submarines. You will have opportunities to make headlines as you inform press, parliamentarians, the public and campaigners of developments, incidents, costs and risks of the UK’s nuclear weapons.

You will be responsible for delivering our strategic plan alongside a committed and active board of directors, the Operations Manager and volunteers.

If you can demonstrate current research and analysis skills, an interest in and understanding of the technological and political context in which the UK’s nuclear weapons programme operates, ideally with experience in press and parliamentary work, and the ability to co-manage a small organisation then we would like to hear from you.

Working hours: 35 hours per week.

Salary: £33969 to £37095 FTE

Team: Research

Location: Hybrid with time in the office required on an ad-hoc basis. Office is in Holborn, London. 

Contract: Full time (35 hours a week), FTC for 6 months, with flexible working

Job Description

In 2025, Prostate Cancer Research will be launching a groundbreaking new initiative to increase trust and participation in healthcare and clinical trials among the Black community in London, Northwest and the West Midlands, with a specific focus on prostate cancer. We are looking to recruit a social researcher to lead on building the evidence base which will be the foundations of this initiative. You will conduct comprehensive research to identify and understand the specific barriers to trust within the Black community concerning healthcare, aiming to uncover the root causes of distrust and identify opportunities for building stronger relationships between the Black community and healthcare professionals. At the end of this phase a full report will be compiled which will be the basis for the co-creation of new initiatives with the community.

This is a newly created role, which will be line managed by the Director of Research and Communications. You will have the opportunity to join a department which has more than quintupled its research activity in four years, and last year won a prestigious Change Project of the Year award for the creation of a bespoke programme to tackle the racial disparity faced by Black men with prostate cancer. You will also have the opportunity to work cross-departmentally with the Patient Projects Department, which is responsible for cutting-edge initiatives such as the Infopool. Your work will also involve collaborations with Partnerships and Communications.

You will be mentored and supported throughout this role, so we encourage you to apply even if you feel you don’t meet all of the criteria. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workplace. As a principle, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. However, due to the nature of this role and it being culturally specific, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that it be filled by a Black person.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for

· Conducting a literature review of existing research and studies addressing healthcare trust barriers within the Black community, to gather a broad understanding of the issues.

· Identifying and interviewing relevant experts in trust and healthcare, including sociologists, oncologists, urologists, and community leaders, to gain diverse perspectives on trust-building strategies and understand the complexities of healthcare engagement within the Black community. These interviews will be shared publicly, potentially through live webinars or being filmed.

· Collaborating with the communications team to poll a large number of members of the Black community in the UK, to capture the views of the wider community.

· Organise and facilitate workshops and focus groups bringing together community members, healthcare professionals, and representatives from relevant organisations to explore potential trust-building solutions, and advise other staff as they co-create, test and refine these key solutions.

Skills

Skills and Competencies

Our ideal candidate would have the following:

· A degree or equivalent experience in a social research discipline

· Critical thinking

· Experience leading qualitative research projects, with an understanding of quantitative methods

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Strong report writing skills, with an ability to understand and fairly reflect nuance and diversity of opinions and lived experience

· A passion for health equity and social justice

· A demonstrated understanding of the role, and a strong belief in the work we do at PCR.

Personal Qualities

· Strong belief in our work at Prostate Cancer Research

· A high degree of autonomy with a will to learn, reflect and self-teach

· Collaborative outlook, including managing expectations, working flexibly and reaching out to colleagues on joint goals.

· Confidence to lead on new initiatives, where appropriate, and with the support of your manager

· The agility to adapt to changing needs when necessary

Contract Type: Part-time (0.5 FTE = 17.5 hours per week), 2-year fixed term contract

Schools2030 is a global movement for holistic learning and teacher leadership. Our goal is to improve quality teaching and holistic learning, and to foster resilient education systems across the world, including for those living in remote regions and those facing multiple forms of marginalisation and crises. 

Schools2030 brings together a diverse coalition which includes educators, school leaders, civil society organisations, technical partners and researchers, as well as education policymakers across ten countries and 1,000+ schools and community learning sites.

The Aga Khan Foundation is excited to recruit a Schools2030 Global Research Coordinator to provide coordination support to these research projects, including holding regular meetings with research teams, organising learning events to explore the findings and synergies across this research portfolio, and organising joint outputs across the research partners – including conference presentations and co-authored publications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

We envision the Schools2030 Global Research Partner network to be “greater than the sum of its parts” by encouraging knowledge sharing, collaboration and cross-fertilization of ideas within and beyond this community of scholars and researchers. All current research projects share a focus on teacher agency and teacher professional development, providing a powerful opportunity to synergise and mobilise knowledge from across this portfolio to really contribute to and advance the field of global education and teaching. The Schools2030 Global Research Coordinator will ensure that Schools2030 realises this vision by leading on the following two workstreams and associated set of deliverables:

Workstream 1: Schools2030 Global Research Programme and Partnership Coordination

• Partnership Coordination: Support and facilitate effective internal communication and coordination between Schools2030 Global Research Partners, Schools2030 country teams, and relevant Schools2030 Technical Partners for effective project implementation.
• Network Building: Organise and facilitate quarterly virtual meetings with all Schools2030 Research Partners to ensure learnings and findings are shared and amplified within the group
• Programme Oversight: Coordinate all Schools2030 Global Research Partner reporting requirements through final review, edit, and submission of midterm and final reports outlining progress made on outputs and outcomes as stated in their research proposals.

Workstream 2: Schools2030 Global Research Evidence Synthesis and Dissemination

• Evidence Synthesis: Produce Schools2030 Quarterly Research Updates about the Schools2030 Global Research Partners to share progress, key activities/deliverables and “stories from the field” for dissemination to global and national stakeholders.
• Evidence Coordination: Organize meaningful thematic and methodological linkages between research teams, and with other Schools2030 and non-Schools2030 research, to encourage collaboration and maximize impact.
• Global Research Visibility and Engagement: Coordinate and organise conference presentations and other externally-facing events to showcase Schools2030 research partnerships and evidence (for example, coordinating sessions at conferences such as CIES, netFWD, and UKFIET). In addition, organize an Annual Schools2030 Global Research Symposia supported by the Schools2030 Global Communications Manager and Schools2030 Global Programme Manager to showcase the Schools2030 Global Research Partners’ results.
• Global Communications: Amplify Schools2030 research through online channels, including blogs, social media and managing the portion of the Schools2030 website dedicated to the Schools2030 Global Research Partners. This will be done in close collaboration with the Schools2030 Global Communications Manager. 

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree or higher in international education or related discipline. Strong preference for current PhD Candidates or those who have already been awarded a PhD.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated research expertise in international education and/or teacher professional development

• Experience producing and reviewing academic research outputs, particularly on themes of international education and/or teacher professional development

• Fluent in written and oral English language

• Excellent written communication skills, including report writing

• Excellent presentation skills and meeting facilitation skills, including online meetings and workshops

• Experience coordinating conferences or similar events (experience coordinating research/knowledge-sharing events is strongly desired)

• Experience working in a diverse and multicultural team

• Ability to work to deadlines and to a high professional standard

• Track record of engagement with diverse education and/or development stakeholders, including researchers, donors, policy-makers, and school-level practitioners

Application Details:

• Must have right to work in the UK

• Must include CV and a supporting statement that outlines why they want the role, why they want to work for AKF(UK) and how their experiences and skills to date will make them the most suitable applicant for the role.

• Salary £35,000 (pro-rated amount is £17,500) + Benefits