Research Fellow (Project Officer)

Research Fellow (Project Officer) Apply
Post Details

Full time
Fixed term until 31 December 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 27 March 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

The Project Officer will support the delivery of the UK implementation centre in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT). This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting and innovative Implementation Centre funded for nearly 7 years by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. The Project Officer will support the work of IMPACT in Scotland, as well as working with the cross-UK team.

IMPACT is an ‘Implementation Centre’, drawing on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:

• Supporting more widespread use of evidencein adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
• Building capacity andskills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
• Facilitating sustainable and productive relationshipsbetween the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
• Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinderthe implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change

More information about IMPACT can be found here: https://more.bham.ac.uk/impact/

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Please complete the on-line application form and submit a covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and an up to date CV.

Description of Duties

• Support IMPACT’S Scotland lead (Alison Bowes) and the wider Stirling team to support IMPACT’s Scotland Assembly, and to engage diverse stakeholders and people with lived experience of adult social care in IMPACT’s wider work
• Represent IMPACT across Scotland and keep abreast of policy and practice developments there, reporting on and summarising these as required
• Support IMPACT’s work to enhance effective use of research findings and other forms of evidence in adult social care
• Review and synthesise existing research and evidence-based publications within the broad field of adult social care, focusing these as directed
• Draft policy and practice briefs to support policy and practice implementation of robust evidence and contribute to IMPACT-related academic publications
• Organise and design IMPACT meetings in Scotland, and attend external events as required
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting and the implementation of IMPACT procedures
• Contribute to IMPACT’s delivery activities and to the organisation of IMPACT’s work UK-wide, and work on cross-cutting issues with other national IMPACT project officers
• Deal appropriately with any problems that may affect timely achievement of Centre objectives
• Engage in other IMPACT activities as required and in keeping with skills profile
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Contribute to Faculty research-related activities, e.g. by participating in one of the Faculty research groups

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a relevant subject area (or near to completion), or equivalent qualifications

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in a social care, disability, mental health, ageing or other setting relevant to IMPACT’s work
• Awareness of the current state of research in one or more fields relevant to adult social care
• High level of analytical capability
• Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to ensure, in day to day activity in own area, that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Communication and team working

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in co-ordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working
• Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT
• Good planning, organisational and time-management skills

Other

• Commitment to co-production and engagement
• Commitment to valuing the lived experience of people who use services and the practical knowledge of front-line staff

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff
• Experience of research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives
• Experience of research which engages people with lived experience and their carers
• Understanding of the different policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Faculty of Social Sciences at Stirling

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is an integrated multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional support staff with research and teaching interests in sociology, social policy, criminology, education, housing studies, social work and dementia. Working collaboratively with students, staff and stakeholders, the Faculty provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as professional development in all these areas through our interdisciplinary links across the University and beyond.

In addition to teaching, social scientific research is undertaken in the Faculty under the following headings: Crime and Justice; Child Well-being and Protection; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Dementia and Ageing; Education Theory/Practice; Public Services and Governance; Social Surveys and Social Statistics; and Substance Use.

Full information about the Faculty can be found here: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/social-sciences/

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number

FAC01923

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract

Posting End Date

27-Mar-2024

Location:

Stirling Campus

Grade

Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Faculty of Social Sciences

Post Details

Full time
Fixed term until 31 December 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 27 March 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

The Project Officer will support the delivery of the UK implementation centre in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT). This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting and innovative Implementation Centre funded for nearly 7 years by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. The Project Officer will support the work of IMPACT in Scotland, as well as working with the cross-UK team.

IMPACT is an ‘Implementation Centre’, drawing on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:

• Supporting more widespread use of evidencein adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
• Building capacity andskills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
• Facilitating sustainable and productive relationshipsbetween the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
• Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinderthe implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change

More information about IMPACT can be found here: https://more.bham.ac.uk/impact/

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Please complete the on-line application form and submit a covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and an up to date CV.

Description of Duties

• Support IMPACT’S Scotland lead (Alison Bowes) and the wider Stirling team to support IMPACT’s Scotland Assembly, and to engage diverse stakeholders and people with lived experience of adult social care in IMPACT’s wider work
• Represent IMPACT across Scotland and keep abreast of policy and practice developments there, reporting on and summarising these as required
• Support IMPACT’s work to enhance effective use of research findings and other forms of evidence in adult social care
• Review and synthesise existing research and evidence-based publications within the broad field of adult social care, focusing these as directed
• Draft policy and practice briefs to support policy and practice implementation of robust evidence and contribute to IMPACT-related academic publications
• Organise and design IMPACT meetings in Scotland, and attend external events as required
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting and the implementation of IMPACT procedures
• Contribute to IMPACT’s delivery activities and to the organisation of IMPACT’s work UK-wide, and work on cross-cutting issues with other national IMPACT project officers
• Deal appropriately with any problems that may affect timely achievement of Centre objectives
• Engage in other IMPACT activities as required and in keeping with skills profile
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Contribute to Faculty research-related activities, e.g. by participating in one of the Faculty research groups

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a relevant subject area (or near to completion), or equivalent qualifications

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in a social care, disability, mental health, ageing or other setting relevant to IMPACT’s work
• Awareness of the current state of research in one or more fields relevant to adult social care
• High level of analytical capability
• Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to ensure, in day to day activity in own area, that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Communication and team working

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in co-ordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working
• Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT
• Good planning, organisational and time-management skills

Other

• Commitment to co-production and engagement
• Commitment to valuing the lived experience of people who use services and the practical knowledge of front-line staff

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff
• Experience of research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives
• Experience of research which engages people with lived experience and their carers
• Understanding of the different policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Faculty of Social Sciences at Stirling

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is an integrated multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional support staff with research and teaching interests in sociology, social policy, criminology, education, housing studies, social work and dementia. Working collaboratively with students, staff and stakeholders, the Faculty provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as professional development in all these areas through our interdisciplinary links across the University and beyond.

In addition to teaching, social scientific research is undertaken in the Faculty under the following headings: Crime and Justice; Child Well-being and Protection; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Dementia and Ageing; Education Theory/Practice; Public Services and Governance; Social Surveys and Social Statistics; and Substance Use.

Full information about the Faculty can be found here: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/social-sciences/

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

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