Centre for Care Research Associate

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Generous pension scheme

Discounts and rewards for staff

Staff networks

Job summary

The University of Sheffield invites applications for a Research Associate to support the ESRC Centre for Care and work with Centre Director to deliver policy-relevant research across a range of care topics. You will collaborate with partners, co-author blogs and research papers, and contribute to impact activities.

The role focuses on time-critical projects, developing evidence for parliamentary inquiries, and preparing briefings for care sector partners.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in social science (or equivalent).
• Strength in social research methods demonstrated.
• Experience researching adult social care or care broadly.
• Ability to synthesise and summarise research for policy/practice.
• Excellent written and spoken communication, including reports and presentations.
• Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and meet deadlines.
• Experience contributing to research impact or knowledge exchange.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Centre Director to plan, develop and undertake research and evidence gathering.
• Lead on preparing responses to policy developments and consultations in care.
• Develop reviews and syntheses of grey and academic literature; organise and analyse data.
• Prepare reports, blogs and research outputs tailored to diverse audiences.

Skills

Social research methods

Communication skills

Policy/research dissemination

Team collaboration

Independent working

Education

Postgraduate degree in social science

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and become part of something special.

Overview

The ESRC Centre for Care was established in 2021 to address the need for evidence on care that can make a difference. Since then, we have co-produced impactful research on care topics that really matter. We work closely with partner organisations in the care sector and people with direct experience of care, and provide accessible evidence on care to inform changes that could improve the lives of millions of people.

We are looking for a Research Associate to support Centre Director, Professor Kate Hamblin, in Centre-wide activities, including engaging with partners and delivering impactful outputs, as well as specific responsibilities and research duties. This research support will involve work on a variety of urgent, responsive, time‑critical and short‑term projects, including: working with the Director and other members of the team in preparing responses to policy developments and official consultations on care; researching emerging issues in care in different parts of the UK; keeping track of evidence presented to parliamentary enquiries and other investigations relevant to care; and preparing briefings and summaries to support the Centre’s engagement with its international and care sector partners. You will work closely with the Centre’s Impact Specialist Fay Benskin, to ensure research findings from across the Centre are translating into real change. Your role will also include co-authoring blogs, articles and research papers with the Centre Director or, where agreed, with other Centre staff.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Be an active member of the ESRC Centre for Care team, and collaborate effectively with colleagues, including those in partner universities and with social care, voluntary sector and other partners.
• In close collaboration with the Centre Director, plan, develop and undertake research and evidence gathering on critical and emerging issues in care, leading to academic and other publications and outputs.
• Support impact and knowledge exchange activities, working closely with the Centre’s Impact Specialist to, for example, leading and preparing our responses to calls for evidence.
• Develop reviews and syntheses of grey and academic literature; organise, accurately record and analyse data and information collected; and prepare reports, blogs, presentations of research findings and other outputs, tailoring content to meet the requirements of a varied audience and readership.
• Keep clear and secure records, collate information efficiently, arrange meetings as required and keep records of all activities.
• Collaborate effectively with partners, including for the collation and synthesis of relevant materials from projects and contexts.
• Present the results of research at academic and policy conferences and other events.
• Manage your own work effectively, using discretion to determine priorities while ensuring there is cohesion with the wider Centre for Care programme, and ensure assignments are successfully completed within allocated resources and agreed deadlines.
• Assist in identifying research and related risks, monitoring, taking action and seeking advice as appropriate, collaborating with others and applying research safety and ethics protocols.
• Contribute as required to research proposals designed to develop the work of the Centre for Care.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

Postgraduate degree in a social science subject or equivalent experience, preferably as applied to social care and/or social policy

Essential

Application

Evidence of strength in social research methods

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of researching adult social care or care more broadly

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of synthesising and summarising research evidence and policy papers for relevant audiences to support knowledge exchange and impact on policy or practice.

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, including report writing and delivering presentations

Essential

Application/interview

Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to meet specified deadlines and manage multiple priorities

Essential

Application/Interview

Proven ability to contribute to research impact or knowledge exchange activities that support the use of research evidence in policy or practice.

Essential

Application/Interview

Commitment to co-production and involvement of users in research and in constructive engagement with care sector partners

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to work independently, seeking guidance where appropriate, and to adapt own skills to new circumstances

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to present information and ideas in engaging and interesting ways

Desirable

Application/interview

Expertise in specific areas or methods related to care research: technology/ care policy/ comparative policy analysis/ carers

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,784 - £47,389

Work arrangement

Full-time (minimum of one day per week in the office required)

Duration

1 December 2026 - 31 December 2028

Line manager

Centre Director

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://centreforcare.ac.uk/

For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Kate Hamblin, Centre for Care Director: on [e-mail]

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 04/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.