Research Fellow - School of Social Policy and Society - 106174 - Grade 7

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Birmingham seeks a Researcher for the Women, Crime & Justice Research Group. The role involves developing research proposals, analyzing data, and contributing to funding bids. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant area and high analytical capability. This position is full-time, with a salary range of £36,130 to £45,413 and a fixed-term contract until May 2026. The role is open to women only, due to the nature of the work.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Understanding of management processes.
• High level analytical capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Present research outputs for publication.

Skills

Analytical capability

Communication of complex information

Knowledge of protected characteristics

Education

First degree in relevant area

Higher degree relevant to research area

Job description

Position Details

School of Social Policy and Society

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2026

Closing date: 1st September 2025

Background

Women’s Centres in the UK are third sector organisations that provide practical and emotional support to women with complex needs. Typically service users present with personal histories that are marked by interconnected experiences of physical/sexual abuse, substance use, poor mental health and social marginalisation. Narrow service eligibility criteria often mean that these women are considered ‘too challenging’ to work with, leading to exclusion from statutory services.To date a range of assessment tools are used to work with women facing these issues. Consequently, the ‘Women, Crime & Justice Research Group’ have recently developed the Gendered Well Being Assessment which is a comprehensive trauma-informed quality of life assessment, suitable for women with complex needs, without current criminal justice involvement. The assessment is intended to inform effective support plans and to detailed referrals to statutory services and agencies.

The post holder will form part of the WCJ Research Group and will contribute to the GWA validation study. The study seeks to test the reliability of the tool based on assessments collected in participating Women’s Centres, with the predictive validity of the tool tested with outcomes arising from linked administrative data.The post holder will be responsible for data checks in the data collection phase, as well as queries that might result from implementation of the tool.As part of the validation, the post holder will conduct cognitive interviews to test specific scales in the GWA.

Role Summary

• Work as part of the ‘Women, Crime & Justice Research Group’ contributing to the ‘Effective Women’s Centre’ project (funded by The JABBS Foundation)
• Operate within specialised areas of Criminology and Social Policy
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to public understanding of issues impacting criminal justice involved women

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, principally through gender responsive assessments and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• We also welcome applications from those with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System
• This post is open to women only due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies
• Due to the nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS Check

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Professor Simon Pemberton, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .