Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant (WCPP) at Cardiff University
Cardiff University · Cardiff, United Kingdom · Onsite
- Junior
- Office in Cardiff
Advert
Please note that this job is open only to current Cardiff University staff who are eligible for Redeployment.
Internal Redeployment Only - Research Assistant (WCPP)
The Wales Centre for Public Policy is pleased to invite applications for a new role as a Research Assistant who will be embedded in various projects in the Centre to support impact capturing activities. The Centre is committed to understanding and maximising its own impact and the Embedded Impact Researcher role aims to understand the relationship between the WCPP’s knowledge mobilisation practices and its impact on the use of evidence in policy making and public services in Wales. In the role, you will deploy a range of tools and approaches to improve the way in which project teams (working with Welsh Government and public services to support them access and apply evidence in their decision-making) think about and measure the impact of their knowledge mobilisation work. This could include developing project-level theories of change, conducting stakeholder mapping, organising and conducting interviews with the project team and wider stakeholders, and running reflection sessions throughout and on completion of projects.
The role will also include conducting research on the use of evidence in policy-making and practices of evidence mobilisation. You will work alongside experienced researchers in the Centre on studies that help to inform its approach to working with public services and the Welsh Government and assess its impact.
This post offers a unique opportunity to conduct innovative research that will contribute directly to the growing academic literature on evidence-informed policy making as well as helping to improve understanding on how the Centre can improve its’ impact. The successful candidate will broaden their understanding of key academic debates in these areas working within a Centre that is acknowledged to be at the leading edge of both academic research and practice in the field.
Co-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Welsh Government, the Wales Centre for Public Policy bridges the gap between academia and policy makers/practitioners by generating, synthesising and mobilising evidence from research. The Centre has more than 20 full-time staff who are drawn from a range of backgrounds - including academia, the civil service, health service, local government, think tanks, and the voluntary sector. It is a member of the What Works network, was a finalist in the prestigious ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize, and is recognised internationally for its pioneering, demand-led approach to evidence use, and knowledge mobilisation. Further details are available at www.wcpp.org.uk.
The Centre provides a stimulating and supportive working environment with flexible working arrangements; a generous pension scheme and a range of other benefits; a wealth of training opportunities; and offices in the world’s first Social Science Research Park (SPARK), located on Cardiff’s £300 million Innovation Campus.
The post is full time from October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. We are open to a job share and flexible working arrangements, such as compressed hours. The post is fixed term until the end of our current funding period (31 March 2028). The university will consider applications which propose secondments of a minimum of one year.
Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum (Grade 5)
For further information and an informal discussion about the role please contact Dr Hannah Durrant at: [email protected]
Closing date: Wednesday, 5 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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. 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. Cardiff Business School is particularly looking to recruit from under-represented groups within the School.
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 act as the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s embedded impact researcher (see additional information). You will support colleagues in helping them to assess the impact of projects within the Centre. You will also contribute to research on evidence-informed policy-making by carrying out work that leads to high-quality academic outputs and practical advice to improve our methods of mobilising evidence to support policy-making.
Main Duties
• To act as the Centre’s embedded impact researcher on a sample of Welsh Government and public services projects. The role will include developing theories of change, conducting stakeholder mapping, organising and conducting interviews, and running reflection sessions on completion of projects.
• To conduct research to assess the impact of the Centre’s work and identify how it can make improvements in this area.
• To manage, undertake and disseminate research to improve understanding of evidence-informed policy-making including reviewing existing literature, scoping new projects, data collection (e.g., interviews), and drafting outputs.
• To actively participate in the Centre’s research team by communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners,
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To contribute to the development and design of new research projects in the Centre.
• To provide general support and guidance in research activities to members of the research team across all projects.
• To support the organisation of events including panels at Conferences and internal meetings.
• To contribute to the dissemination of research through conventional and social media including the Centre’s website and blogs.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
Other
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To engage in personal and professional development which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
To act as the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s embedded impact researcher (see additional information). You will support colleagues in helping them to assess the impact of projects within the Centre. You will also contribute to research on evidence-informed policy-making by carrying out work that leads to high-quality academic outputs and practical advice to improve our methods of mobilising evidence to support policy-making.
Main Duties
• To act as the Centre’s embedded impact researcher on a sample of Welsh Government and public services projects. The role will include developing theories of change, conducting stakeholder mapping, organising and conducting interviews, and running reflection sessions on completion of projects.
• To conduct research to assess the impact of the Centre’s work and identify how it can make improvements in this area.
• To manage, undertake and disseminate research to improve understanding of evidence-informed policy-making including reviewing existing literature, scoping new projects, data collection (e.g., interviews), and drafting outputs.
• To actively participate in the Centre’s research team by communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners,
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To contribute to the development and design of new research projects in the Centre.
• To provide general support and guidance in research activities to members of the research team across all projects.
• To support the organisation of events including panels at Conferences and internal meetings.
• To contribute to the dissemination of research through conventional and social media including the Centre’s website and blogs.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
Other
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To engage in personal and professional development which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Salary Range Max.
36,636
Grade
Grade 5
Salary Range Min.
33,951
Job Category
Academic - Research
Additional Information
Cardiff Business School
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES
It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (e.g. xxxxxBR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES
It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (e.g. xxxxxBR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
Career Pathway
Research
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., social sciences including politics, economics, sociology, public policy etc.) or equivalent experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of appropriate research methods and techniques.
3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and data and to summarise appropriately.
4. Strong organisational skills and the confidence and ability to ensure that projects are delivered on time.
5. Interest in and knowledge of evidence and policy: e.g., impact, knowledge mobilisation, policy-making.
6. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
Communication and Team Working
7. Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with academic or other audiences.
8. Excellent team-working skills as you will be working in collaboration with senior researchers.
Other
9. Demonstrable ability to work creatively and innovatively.
Desirable Criteria
10. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area.
11. Experience of managing, conducting and/or using research in the public sector, research organisations, think tanks or similar settings.
12. Proven ability to work without close supervision and prioritise tasks appropriately.
Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., social sciences including politics, economics, sociology, public policy etc.) or equivalent experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of appropriate research methods and techniques.
3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and data and to summarise appropriately.
4. Strong organisational skills and the confidence and ability to ensure that projects are delivered on time.
5. Interest in and knowledge of evidence and policy: e.g., impact, knowledge mobilisation, policy-making.
6. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
Communication and Team Working
7. Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with academic or other audiences.
8. Excellent team-working skills as you will be working in collaboration with senior researchers.
Other
9. Demonstrable ability to work creatively and innovatively.
Desirable Criteria
10. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area.
11. Experience of managing, conducting and/or using research in the public sector, research organisations, think tanks or similar settings.
12. Proven ability to work without close supervision and prioritise tasks appropriately.
