Fixed Term Research Fellow - Denis Law Legacy Trust (36 months) - RGU07599

Denis Law Legacy Trust (DLLT) is a children’s charity that supports and empowers young people to thrive through a range of positive pathways and free to access activities. Our activities currently engage over 24,000 annual participations across a range of age groups and contribute to healthier and safer local communities across Aberdeen city and beyond. Since 2006, Denis Law Legacy Trust has provided free to access sport and creative activity, 50 weeks of the year through its award-winning programmes, which are run in partnership with Robert Gordon University.

The purpose of this exciting new role is to develop and implement an evaluation of the impact of these facilities, and the activities DLLT provide within them, on the service users and the wider community. As a researcher, you will design, co-design and conduct studies to examine the usage and impact of Cruyff courts in various locations in Aberdeen and potentially beyond. Your responsibilities will include collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through focus groups, interviews, and participant observation, as well as engaging in social spatial mapping. Additionally, you will need to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including young people, youth groups, and the wider community. You will be required to produce a range of outputs including reports, presentations and peer-reviewed journal articles.

This post is subject to the individual being required to join the PVG scheme. For more information, visit: PVG Scheme. To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Mr Mark Williams (DLLT Chief Operating Officer) & Dr Katherine Burgess (Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health)

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: To develop and implement an evaluation of the impact of the Cruyff courts in Aberdeen City.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Work with stakeholders to design and implement research methods.
• Lead the collection, processing and analysis of research data.
• Lead report writing and dissemination activities.
• Lead the preparation of ethical approvals.
• Assist with the preparation of funding applications.
• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Doctorate in a subject that is complementary to the project e.g. sociology, social work, public health, sport and exercise science, sport coaching, sport development.

• Knowledge of a range of applied research methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods).
• Knowledge of data analysis software, such as NVivo.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work independently and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and report writing skills.

• Experience in literature searching and critical appraisal.
• Experience in designing and implementing research methods.
• Experience in the collection, processing and analysis of research data.
• Experience in working with stakeholders to develop and implement research.
• Experience in working effectively across several academic disciplines and academic schools.
• Experience in producing a range of traditional and non-traditional outputs (for example social media).

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of service evaluation processes.
• Knowledge of methods of health and wellbeing research.
• Knowledge of researching alongside underrepresented/marginalised groups.

• Experience in report writing and dissemination activities.
• Experience in working with youth groups and/or community outreach.

The post may involve travel for data collection and meetings.

• Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.
• Analysis and Research - Experience of developing hypotheses and concepts to explain data, events and phenomena, and reporting findings to a wider community.
• Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress and dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters.
• Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships and leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest.
• Initiative and Problem Solving - Experience of using initiative and creativity to resolve problems, identifying practical and suitable solutions.
• Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.