Redeployment Only - Research Associate (Research Ethics and Law)

Cardiff University; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK university is seeking Research Associates to join an interdisciplinary project focused on improving inclusivity in research ethics. Ideal candidates will have a PhD and experience in relevant research areas. The role is full-time, offering flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits including 45 days annual leave. Salary ranges from £41,064 to £46,049 per annum.

Benefits

45 days annual leave

Local pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Must have a relevant PhD or equivalent experience.
• Experience in research ethics or law is essential.
• Proven ability to publish in reputable journals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in ethics and law related to health.
• Engage with stakeholders and develop research proposals.
• Present findings at conferences and seminars.

Skills

Research ethics knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Research governance

Empirical research experience

Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level

Job description

Advert

Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.

Internal Redeployment Only - Research Associate (Research Ethics and Law)
Centre for Trials Research (CTR)
College of Biomedical & Life Sciences

The Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University is a large, multinational community of researchers, professional services staff and students from a diverse range of backgrounds.

We tackle the big diseases and health concerns of our time by forming partnerships with researchers and building lasting relationships with the public. Find out more about the Centre and working with us here.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Research Associates (Grade 6) to join a new interdisciplinary Wellcome-funded project 'Addressing consent-based challenges to improve inclusivity in research (ACCORD)' being led by this UKCRC-registered Centre. In this role you will conduct research within the field of research ethics and the development of behaviour-based interventions and contribute to the overall research performance of the Centre and University, carrying out research leading to high-quality publications. You will also engage with public, practice and policy stakeholders to develop relevant research proposals.

This position would suit a self-motivated individual with knowledge and understanding of appropriate governance, frameworks and processes in relation to health and social care research, particularly research involving adults lacking capacity to consent, and experience of empirical research in research ethics or law.

With a culture of continuous professional and career development the Centre has an excellent track record of helping people develop in their areas of interest, with many progressing within the Centre itself, the wider University or further afield.

For informal discussions you are welcome to contact the recruiter Victoria Shepherd (Principal Research Fellow) by email [e-mail] or by phone [phone]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term, based at Heath Park and available from 1 March 2026 until 28 February 2034

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It\'s an exciting and vibrant place to work with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. Business needs will require some degree of office-based working but the balance of time can be spent in the office or remotely (subject to agreement with the line manager).

Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 6)

Closing date: Monday, 3 November 2025

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. 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.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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 function

To conduct research and contribute to the overall research performance of the Centre and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in national/international journals. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Research
  • To conduct research within the field of research ethics and law and contribute to the overall research performance of the centre and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
  • To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
  • To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
  • To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
  • To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
  • Ensure the delivery of the studies, adapting according to changes in workload and study requirements
  • To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
  • To participate in centre research activities.
  • To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
  • Ensure that work is undertaken and documented in a regulatory compliant way and be prepared for regular audits and inspections
• Other
  • To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the Centre\'s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the Centre and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
  • To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
  • To participate in administration and activities to promote the Centre and its work to the wider University and the outside world
  • Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is the School of Medicine\'s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of 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.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 20820BR.

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or equivalent or relevant practice or policy experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant policy/practice experience in one or more fields with strong relevance to ethics or law or research governance
2. Knowledge and understanding of appropriate governance, systems and processes in relation to health and social care research, particularly research involving adults lacking capacity to consent
3. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals, national/international conferences and/or other research outputs
4. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working

1. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
2. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

1. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Desirable Criteria

1. Ability to supervise research students
2. Evidence of collaborations with industry, NHS or social care
3. Proven ability to work without close supervision
4. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the Centre.
5. A commitment to high quality patient and public involvement