Research Fellow Ref: 44416

About the role

The School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex is looking for a Research Fellow to join a multi-disciplinary, multisite team on a new NIHR-funded project: LIMES (Lives behind the numbers, and the numbers of IMpacted livES). The project is a collaboration between Durham University, Kingston University and the University of Sussex and will examine the implementation, effectiveness and economic consequences of Contextual Safeguarding across England as an approach to address extra-familial harm. 

Working with Professor Lisa Holmes you will contribute to the economic evaluation of Contextual Safeguarding. This will involve collecting, managing and analysing quantitative and qualitative data on the activities, staff time and resources associated with implementation, using detailed micro-costing approaches to examine costs and wider economic consequences.

You will contribute to the design and delivery of research activities, support the development of data collection tools and analytical frameworks, and lead specific strands of analysis. You will work closely with local authority partners and the wider research team, contributing to reports, academic publications, presentations and dissemination activities that inform policy and practice for young people affected by extra-familial harm.

About you

You will have a PhD, or be close to completion, in social work, social policy, applied social science, economics, public policy, sociology, psychology or a related discipline. You will have experience of designing and conducting high-quality research and be able to demonstrate strong quantitative and/or mixed-methods analytical skills.

The ability to work independently, take responsibility for delivering agreed outputs and contribute effectively within a collaborative, multi-institutional research team is essential.

Experience of economic evaluation, micro-costing methodologies, administrative data analysis, or applied research in children's social care, safeguarding, youth justice, education, public health or related policy and practice settings would be advantageous. Experience of engaging with practitioners, policy-makers or people with lived experience is also desirable.

You will have excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines. Above all, you will be committed to producing high-quality research that contributes to improving services and outcomes for children and young people.

About our School

The School of Education and Social Work is divided into two departments:

• Department of Education
• Department of Social Work and Social Care

In both you’ll find a welcoming and intellectually stimulating environment.

We provide opportunities for learning and professional development in an environment which encourages intellectual engagement, reflection and debate. We offer a range of courses - from first degrees, certificates and diplomas, to Masters level qualifications and PhDs. 

Our teaching is informed by cutting-edge research on issues of significance in education, childhood and youth and social work and social care. Staff across the School are recognised for the quality of their teaching and research locally, nationally and internationally. The School is committed to the highest quality of teaching and has achieved excellent scores in all NSS categories, and faculty members regularly receive University teaching awards and external recognition for their work.

Research undertaken across the school is of immediate policy and practice relevance. We work closely with a wide range of research users and partners, including national governments and international organisations. We actively support the transfer of research insights into practice including through our relationships with local stakeholders and seek to make a real impact on our wider communities. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework work by the Department for Education was ranked 1^st for Research Impact. 

Our four research centres occupy a central place in what is a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment and together they support and promote the production of rigorous, critically engaged research. Candidates will be invited to join any of the following: 

• The Centre for International Education (CIE) – Centre of Excellence
• The Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY) – Centre of Excellence
• The Centre for Social Work Innovation and Research (CSWIR) 
• The Centre for Teaching and Learning Research (CTLR)

In the School of Education and Social Work we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices and policies. We want all staff and students to experience our School as a space that enables them to meet their potential and to thrive. We are particularly interested in active work to address inequalities produced around the specific intersections of gender, race, and disability. 

Please find further information regarding the School of Education and Social Work on our website.

The School of Education and Social Work is proud to hold a Bronze Athena Swan Award. 

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.  

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. 

Find out more about our reward and benefits package. 

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Further Key Information 

Please contact Lisa Holmes L.J.Holmes@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

Visa Sponsorship Queries: TBC

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.