Research Assistant

Advert

Research Assistant
Wales Governance Centre, Cardiff School of Law and Politics

The Wales Governance Centre is a collaborative research centre within Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics committed to producing ground-breaking work and with a proud record of supporting the development of new staff.

We are currently seeking a Research Assistant to join Wales Fiscal Analysis, a supportive and growing team within the wider Centre that provides independent analysis on public spending, taxation and public services in Wales.

The successful candidate will have strong quantitative research skills and a proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.

We welcome all applications, although we particularly encourage applications from women, and black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates, as they are currently under-represented in the Centre. We will seek to accommodate flexible working arrangements, including job share requests and flexible hours, whenever possible.

Full details of this role can be found below (in the academic job category search):
www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs 

This post is full time (35 hours per week), fixed term until 5 April 2024 and is available immediately.

Salary: £28,762 – £33,314 per annum (Grade 5) 

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 25 January 2023

Closing date: Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received

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.  We especially welcome and encourage applications from those from under-represented groups within the University workforce, such as those who identify as LGBT +, BAME or those with disabilities. 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

Job Description

Main Role

To contribute to the research of Wales Fiscal Analysis at the Wales Governance Centre, particularly in the areas of Welsh public finances, public services and the Welsh economy. The successful candidate will contribute to research outputs including detailed analysis of Welsh and UK government fiscal policy, in-depth studies on the funding and sustainability of Welsh public services, as well as overviews of devolved and non-devolved public spending and revenues in Wales. The successful candidate will be supported in developing their quantitative research skills through formal and ad-hoc training, and will also have access to wider professional development through the University’s Cardiff Researcher professional development training. The Research Assistant will have opportunities to enhance public understanding of fiscal issues and influence public policy decisions by communicating findings to politicians, journalists, academics and others.

Research 
•    Provide quantitative and qualitative research support as a core member of the project team.
•    Collect and manage data from multiple sources.
•    To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
•    To compile written reports and summaries.
•    Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
•    To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
•    To contribute and support research funding bids as required
•    To resolve issues and support senior colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
•    To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
•    To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other
•    To participate in administration and activities to promote the Welsh Governance Centre, the School and their work to the wider University and the outside world.
•    To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to the role and will enhance performance.
•    Develop links with individuals and networks outside the organisation relevant to the team’s work.
•    To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
•    To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
•    Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

It is the School's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. 

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 14807BR.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.  An undergraduate degree or relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience  

2. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques.
3. Relevant experience with advanced proficiency in MS Excel, including large-scale data analysis using a variety of functions and advanced chart design.
4.  Strong working knowledge of other MS Office programs, including Word and PowerPoint.
5.  Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.
6.  Excellent quantitative analysis and problem solving skills.
7.  Ability to articulate basis for a current or future interest in public policy, economics or Welsh politics.
8.  Strong work ethic, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work with limited supervision.

Communication and Team Working 

9.  Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.
10.  Excellent organisational and team-working skills.

Desirable Criteria

1.  Experience of using statistical tools/software packages (for example R, Python, Stata etc.)
2.  Ability to speak Welsh.
3.  A postgraduate degree.

Additional Information

Wales Governance Centre 

The Wales Governance Centre is a research centre that forms part of Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics undertaking innovative research into all aspects of the law, politics, government and political economy of Wales, as well as the wider UK and European contexts of territorial governance. A key objective of the Centre is to facilitate and encourage informed public debate of key developments in Welsh governance not only through its research, but also through events and postgraduate teaching.

The Centre’s publications on public finance and political economy can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/wales-governance-centre/publications/finance

Job Category

Academic - Research