Social Researcher

Scottish Government; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Scottish Government is recruiting two four-year fixed-term Social Researcher roles within the Census 2031 Collection Instruments team.

You will lead on topic areas, coordinate expert input, and quality- assure outputs from external contractors while collaborating with statisticians, policy, and communications specialists across Scotland.

Qualifications

• High quality research-based evidence to inform policy development and evaluation.
• Ability to coordinate input from external researchers and stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and testing questions and datasets for large-scale surveys.

Responsibilities

• Lead on one or more Census 2031 topic areas, coordinating expert input.
• Quality-assure question-testing outputs from external contractors.
• Contribute to parliamentary committee approval processes for topics.
• Build relationships with policy colleagues, governance bodies and agencies.
• Support Census evaluation activities and learn data collection processes.

Skills

Social research

Stakeholder engagement

Quantitative methods

Qualitative methods

Research ethics

Tools

Literature reviews

Interviews

Focus groups

External contractor coordination

Job description

Job description

Want to help shape Scotland's Census, informing the decisions that improve public services and capture the story of Scotland for generations to come?

The Scottish Government aims to make Scotland a more successful country and a better place to live. High-quality research and effective communication are essential to achieving this, making these social research roles ideal for individuals who enjoy working strategically, collaboratively, and innovatively to improve outcomes for people across Scotland.

National Records of Scotland is recruiting for two four-year fixed-term Social Researcher roles within the Census 2031 Collection Instruments team. This team is responsible for developing the questions for Scotland’s next Census, including overseeing question testing, research, stakeholder engagement, and questionnaire design.

Each Social Researcher will lead on one or more topic areas, such as housing or language, coordinating expert input and quality-assuring question-testing outputs from external contractors. The team works closely with statisticians, user researchers, policy and communications specialists, colleagues across the Scottish Government, governance bodies, the Office for National Statistics, and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. With support from policy colleagues, you will also contribute to parliamentary committee approval processes for your topic areas.

Additional opportunities include supporting Census evaluation activities and gaining insight into the full data collection process through shadowing Field Force staff during Rehearsal 2029 or Contact Centre colleagues.

The role offers excellent opportunities to develop quantitative and qualitative research skills, strengthen communication and stakeholder management capabilities, and build confidence in responding to changing priorities. Successful applicants will join an experienced analytical team and become part of the first cohort of social researchers working on Scotland’s Census.

You will receive strong support throughout your career. The Scottish Government and social research profession offer opportunities to learn new skills and develop your strengths to help you fulfil your potential. In line with our current ways of working, we follow a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office-based and home working. Further information about the Social Research Profession can be found here.

Responsibilities

Social Researchers provide high quality research-based evidence and advice for Ministers and officials to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation.

You will help generate new ideas and open up debate, challenge assumptions, beliefs and attitudes, test policy ideas and develop a deeper understanding of issues affecting Scotland.

Typical duties of the Social Researchers are as follows:

• Build relationships with external stakeholders, the policy community and external research community to bring expert knowledge into decision making.
• Commission and manage external research projects.
• Undertake internal research (primary and/or secondary) using a variety of methods such as literature reviews, interviews and focus groups. Advise non-research colleagues on social research methods and research ethics.
• Contribute promptly and accurately to briefings.
• Make a significant contribution to the aims and objectives of the Social Research Group and the corporate commitment to evidence-informed policy making and practice.