(Part‑Time / Indefinite with End Date)
Interviews: 24/7/2026
Role Overview
Lancaster University Law School is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate to work on "The forgotten 10%": private family law applications involving non‑parents. The project is funded by the Nuffield Foundation (Principal Investigator: Dr Linda Cusworth) and is based in the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research. The role requires a mixed‑methods social researcher with an interest in children’s social care and/or family justice. Further information on the project is available on our website www.cfj-lancaster.org.uk/projects/forgotten-ten-percent.
Responsibilities
- Undertake qualitative interviews and focus groups with children and families.
- Collect structured data from court case files.
- Analyse data using mixed‑methods approaches.
- Travel within the UK to attend meetings and other events where data is collected.
- Contribute to project outputs such as research reports, journal articles, and conference/seminar presentations for academics, policymakers, and practitioners.
Qualifications
- PhD in a social science discipline or equivalent experience.
- Background in social work, law, social policy, or another relevant field.
- Experience in mixed‑methods research and knowledge of research ethics.
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
Contract Details
The post is available at 0.8 FTE on an indefinite contract. The role remains contingent on external funding, which is expected to end in February 2027 pending further funding to extend. The position is subject to DBS checks.
EEO Statement
Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.
We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability, or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity.
Contact
Further information and an opportunity to discuss the role can be obtained by contacting Dr Linda Cusworth at l.cusworth@lancaster.ac.uk.
