Associate Researcher

The Open University; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate for the Open Societal Challenges project. This role involves tracking project impact, stakeholder engagement, and delivering outputs like toolkits and policy briefs. Ideal candidates should have strong organisational and project management skills, and a commitment to enhancing workplace inclusion for parents. The position offers flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Understanding of motherhood penalty and associated challenges.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and data gathering tasks.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and document evidence of project impact.
• Support drafting of policy briefs and responses.
• Manage and organise research materials and outputs.
• Draft clear and impactful messages for stakeholders.
• Support coordination of a national working group.
• Help plan and deliver knowledge exchange activities.
• Conduct impact-related research tasks.

Skills

Research and analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong organisational skills

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Education

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area

Job description

Advert Reference Number: 923

Job Location: Milton Keynes

Department: Department for Policing

Salary: £38,784 to £42,254 pro-rata

Closing Date: 01 September 2025

Weekly Working Hours: 7.4

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 July 2026

Job Description:

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Open Societal Challenges project Catching the Mumentum: Supporting Diverse Parenthoods for Work Inclusion.

This exciting project, developed in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the Open University’s Mumentum campaign, aims to improve workplace inclusion for parents through research-informed resources, policy engagement, and knowledge exchange.

The Research Associate will play a key role in tracking and evidencing the project’s impact, supporting stakeholder engagement, and helping to deliver high-profile outputs, including toolkits for parents and managers, a policy brief, public webinars, dissemination events, and a family-focused event. They will also help develop and promote opportunities for knowledge exchange, increasing the visibility and uptake of our research among employers, policymakers, and wider society.

This role is ideal for someone with strong organisational and project management skills, and a passion for research impact, diversity and inclusion, and stakeholder engagement.

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it is compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Salary:

The salary quoted above is based on a 37 hour week (full-time hours). This post is 7.4 hours so the actual salary will be paid at the pro-rata amount.

Key Responsibilities

• Impact Tracking & Evidence Gathering: Monitor and document evidence of project impact, including stakeholder feedback, policy or practice changes, and reach of outputs.
• Policy Engagement: Support the drafting of policy briefs and responses to consultations to ensure research findings inform relevant policy discussions and decisions.
• Research Organisation & Administration: Manage and organise research materials and outputs, maintain stakeholder records, and ensure resources are up to date and accessible.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communications: Draft clear and impactful messages and updates for stakeholders, aligned to the project’s diversity and inclusion aims.
• National Working Group Development: Support the establishment and coordination of a national working group to advance best practice in supporting diverse parenthoods.
• Event Coordination: Help plan and deliver knowledge exchange activities, including webinars, workshops, dissemination events, and a family-focused event.
• Research Support: Conduct data gathering, scoping work and other impact related research tasks as required.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant area or above.
• Understanding of motherhood penalty and associated challenges of work inclusion for parents.
• Understanding of research impact and its role in shaping policy and practice.
• Research and analytical skills, with the ability to conduct literature reviews and data gathering tasks.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience producing clear, accessible materials for stakeholders, including policy or practitioner audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, including managing contacts and coordinating logistics.
• Commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience contributing to policy engagement activities, such as drafting policy briefs or responding to consultations.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders including public, private, or voluntary sector organisations.
• Experience of collecting evidence for developing impact case study.
• Experience in organising events or workshops.
• Experience of using social media for professional purpose.

Please apply via the link below.

Please Note: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.