Research Activities
The postholder will lead a systematic mapping and analysis of the Institute’s 230+ member network to understand strengths, expertise, connections, and engagement patterns across the institute.
The postholder will design and administer surveys, analyse responses and existing datasets, and produce actionable recommendations for communication, collaboration, and future strategic engagement across Children & Young People (CYP) research domains, based on findings.
This role will provide critical insights to help the academic leadership team strengthen internal collaboration, leverage skills and partnerships, and support the Institute’s strategic priorities.
Conduct gap analysis to identify under‑represented disciplines or opportunities for cross‑institutional collaboration.
Design a high‑quality survey to gather data on members’ expertise, networks, research priorities, and communication preferences.
Pilot test survey instruments and refine for clarity and validity.
Administer surveys using institutional platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, MS Forms).
Ensure ethical handling of personal data, GDPR compliance, and secure data storage.
Perform quantitative analysis of survey responses and institutional datasets.
Produce clear data reporting tools to inform ICF leadership team of findings and recommendations. These could include:
- an evaluation of current communication channels and engagement mechanisms across the Institute.
- recommended improvements to internal communications, events, newsletters, or thematic network and
- identifying opportunities to leverage members’ expertise and external contacts for key initiatives such as research bids, policy engagement, public and stakeholder partnerships, knowledge exchange and impact activities.
Plan and prioritise own day to day work and resources to achieve agreed research objectives, leading the work of small teams of research assistants and/or research students as required.
Write up results of own research and prepare to present finding to internal (and / or external) stakeholder groups, including ICF leadership team.
Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
Liaison and Networking
Contribute to the dissemination of research findings in order to further the institution’s standing in the HE and research community.
Participate in the development of internal and external partnerships and networks in order to disseminate information, share best practice, generate income, establish opportunities for collaborative work, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
Opportunity to work with partners and external agencies on collaborative projects that benefit both the department and the Faculty.
Service Provision
Keep relevant stakeholders updated on progress, and be responsible for exploring their needs, and acting on feedback, in order to ensure that research delivers against their requirements.
Collaborate with senior academic staff to organise, manage and carry out appropriate research.
Respond to enquiries and requests for information from potential students, academic staff from other HE institutions, and relevant stakeholders, when required.
Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
Team Working
Actively participate as a member of the ICF /research team, providing mutual support to colleagues to achieve successful completion of projects.
Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate and proactively contribute to decision making.
Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.
Guide and support research assistants and other members of staff within the department in areas of expertise e.g. in undertaking research and writing up papers for publication.
Miscellaneous
You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse anything provided for health, safety and welfare purposes.
You are responsible for applying the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy in your own area of responsibility and in your general conduct.
You have a responsibility to promote high levels of customer care within your own areas of work.
Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with you. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to Environmental Sustainability in order to reduce its waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint.
You have the responsibility to engage with the University’s commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore should consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.