Research Trainee

Join us to become part of something special. We are looking for two Research Trainees to be based in the School for Social Care Research (SSCR) at the University of Sheffield. You will be involved in SSCR projects and work alongside our established team of researchers, as well as engaging in career development activities to gain research skills and experience, including research design and methods and writing for publication. These posts will suit those looking to build a career in adult social care research in academic or practice settings.

SSCR is a major national initiative that brings together 7 Universities under a mission to develop the evidence base to improve adult social care practice in England. Our team is a collaboration between the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Health at the University of Sheffield, and part of a wide portfolio of care research. The work of SSCR is guided by core principles of co-production, collaboration and impact. Our research is inspired by the expertise of our practice partners and people with lived experience of requiring or providing care, and we strive to ensure our investigations are relevant and responsive to policy and practice. Our impact activities reflect our determination to make positive change, and create more effective and sustainable care arrangements.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

The specific balance and focus of responsibilities may vary depending on the skills, experience, and perspective that the successful applicants bring to their roles. The level of support, training, and mentorship provided for these activities will be commensurate with each individual's experience and background. We welcome and value the unique contributions that candidates from different backgrounds can offer to our research team.

Key Responsibilities May Include

• Work with the SSCR leadership team, professional services colleagues and partner organisations in support of the objectives of the School.
• Undertake research training and development appropriate to prior experience and qualifications, and personal career aspirations.
• Support the undertaking of fieldwork and support data analysis on specific projects funded by the School.
• Support data collection and support the secure storage of data on a day-to-day basis, where appropriate.
• Collaborate on writing and reporting of key findings and recommendations.
• Assist with applications for ethical approval, and uphold the highest standards of ethics and research integrity.
• Support the delivery of project dissemination and support knowledge exchange activities.
• Develop ideas for research projects, explore funding opportunities and support the writing of grant proposals.
• Liaise closely, regularly, and in a timely manner with SSCR project research teams, and relevant professional staff throughout the School.
• Undertake mandatory online training required for members of the Social Research Institutes and specialist forms of training as the role requires.
• Assist in the delivery of impact, knowledge exchange and engagement activities.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion and have a strong commitment and drive to promote equitable and inclusive practices.
• Make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. We are particularly interested in building a diverse research team that brings together different perspectives and approaches. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A good honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in a relevant area - Application
• A clear and strong motivation to develop a career in applied research for social care - Application / Interview
• Experience of aspects of care or social care, either as a researcher, practitioner, provider or recipient of care (broadly interpreted) - Application/ Task/Interview
• Experience of working with people who seek or use care services, with practitioners and/or with their representative organisations - Application/ Interview
• Basic knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods - Application/ Interview
• Demonstrable ability to work as part of a team, while taking responsibility for delivering a specific role - Application / Interview
• Demonstrable ability to present information in a range of written and/or verbal formats to meet the needs of different target audiences (e.g. reports, blogs, journal articles, policy briefs, guidance documents, teaching, training, social media, vlogs, presentations) - Application / Task / Interview
• Commitment to the principles and practices of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Application / Task / Interview
• Commitment to stakeholder engagement and/or co-production in research - Application/Interview

Desirable criteria

• Ability to use or willingness to learn to use a range of different software packages to support research (e.g., Google sites; Excel; video editing software; project management software) - Application/Interview

Further Information

Grade: Grade 6
Salary: £31,637 - £36,130
Work arrangement: Full-time, flexible/job share options considered.
Duration: Fixed-term for 30 months
Line manager: Director of SSCR, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Direct reports: None

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/social-sciences/sscr

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will likely take place on 11th June 2025 face to face at the University of Sheffield. This will consist of a 5 minute presentation (which we will ask you to prepare in advance) and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 2nd June 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Lucy Dunning on ssrfinance@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 222 8346.

The panel will consist of Dr Liz Croot (Chair), Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole and Professor Nathan Hughes.

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies support for those going through the menopause paid time off and support for fertility treatment and more.

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

For information, depending on the confirmed research activity when established, the role could be subject to a DBS check. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates.

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): Childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Medical, Online and social media, Eligibility to work, Satisfactory references, Suitability to work with children.

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Safeguarding policy

Employment of ex-offenders policy

Seniority level: Internship
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries: Higher Education