Research Manager

CARERS TRUST; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

CARERS TRUST is seeking a Research Manager to lead pivotal research exploring the challenges faced by unpaid carers. In this strategic role, you will bridge the gap between data, policy, and care practice to drive meaningful change and influence the future of support for carers.

Qualifications

• Experience in research and data analysis.
• Ability to connect evidence with practical solutions.
• Passion for supporting unpaid carers.

Responsibilities

• Lead new research on the complexities of unpaid care.
• Present evidence to decision-makers to influence policy.
• Embed an evidence-driven culture across teams.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Collaborative skills

Job description

Why this role matters:

Every day, millions of unpaid carers across the UK face immense challenges, often with little recognition or support. At Carers Trust, we believe robust, insightful evidence is essential to driving meaningful change for these carers – and that’s where you come in.

As our Research Manager, you won’t just be producing reports – you’ll be leading the charge in uncovering the real experiences of unpaid carers and identifying practical, transformative solutions to support them. This is a role that sits at the heart of our work: turning insight into influence, and evidence into action.

What you’ll do:

• Lead new research that explores the complexities of unpaid care, from the day-to-day realities carers face to the systems and services intended to support them.
• Work directly with carers and the organisations that serve them, ensuring our research is grounded, participatory, and genuinely reflective of real lives.
• Bridge the gap between academia, policy, and practice, using both rigorous academic methods and agile, think tank-style approaches to drive timely and impactful outputs.
• Shape the national conversation by presenting evidence to decision-makers, influencing policy debates, and helping Carers Trust lead the sector in what works – and what needs to change.
• Embed an evidence-driven culture across Carers Trust, working with colleagues across teams UK-wide to ensure insight guides everything we do.

Why now?

The challenges facing unpaid carers are growing – from navigating stretched health and social care systems to balancing work, wellbeing, and financial strain. At the same time, there's increasing recognition that carers are essential to the functioning of society and public services. This is a pivotal moment to influence the future of care – and we need a Research Manager who is passionate, curious, and committed to driving real change.

Who we’re looking for:

An experienced researcher with a talent for turning data into stories and findings into influence. Someone comfortable collaborating with academics, policymakers, service providers and – most importantly – carers themselves. A strategic thinker and a skilled communicator, who thrives on connecting the dots between evidence, lived experience, and innovation.

If this sounds like you, download the recruitment pack to find out more.