Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects to influence policy and improve community outcomes.
- Company: Join the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, dedicated to community recovery and renewal.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in South Yorkshire through innovative research and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education with experience in qualitative research and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on diversity and equality.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Social Researcher
Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
Department: Data and Intelligence
Employment Type: Fixed Term – Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Principal: Insights and Analysis Insight
Compensation: £47,181 – £50,269 / year
Description
- Hours: 37 hours (Full Time)
- Contract: Fixed Term – 24 Months
- Salary: Grade 10 £47,181 – £50,269
- Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
Are you passionate about using research to improve outcomes for the people of South Yorkshire?
We’re looking for a skilled and experienced Social Researcher who can lead complex projects, translate evidence into meaningful insight and is confident working across disciplines with diverse stakeholders.
This is an exciting time to join South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. As a Strategic Authority, we’re unlocking the highest level of powers and funding through devolution, including eligibility for an integrated settlement from April 2026. This means we can better align the priorities of our communities with how we invest in their future.
Our Mayor’s commitments—spanning growth, communities, the environment, and health—are underpinned by six principles that guide how we work. As part of this, we’re expanding our analytical capacity and capability, putting evidence at the heart of our thinking and embracing innovative approaches.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal. Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.
About the role
This new role will generate insight from research and provide expert advice to senior leaders, focusing on Mayoral priorities and embedding our principles in everything we do.
You’ll design, procure, commission and manage research projects that put people at the heart of decision‑making, identifying and reporting on social trends that matter to South Yorkshire.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead the scoping and design of research projects, working with senior leaders to influence policy and service design.
- Review and synthesise the findings of existing research to inform evidence‑based policies.
- Identify and apply the most appropriate research methods to collect robust evidence.
- Procure, commission and manage qualitative and quantitative research projects, creating primary datasets in line with ethical standards.
- Analyse data to generate insight, ensuring quality assurance throughout.
- Produce clear, engaging reports and presentations tailored to a range of audiences, including senior officers and the public.
- Build strong relationships with external partners, including local authorities and universities.
- Manage multiple research projects simultaneously, working with external suppliers to maintain pace and quality.
About you
- Education to degree level, with relevant training in social research.
- Proven experience applying qualitative research methods and conducting qualitative analysis.
- Strong statistical analytical skills, including designing data collection or evaluation methods.
- In‑depth knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of data collection and disclosure control.
- Experience managing multiple research projects from scoping to dissemination.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex insight to non‑technical audiences and senior stakeholders.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships with analysts and policy colleagues internally and externally.
Please refer to the full person specification in the role profile when submitting your application.
Benefits
- Holiday Entitlement: From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro‑rata for part‑time colleagues.
- Annual Leave Purchase Scheme: The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
- Hybrid working: Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
- Flexible Hours Scheme: Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi‑Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi‑Leave or banked Annual Leave.
- Rewarding You: Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle‑to‑Work schemes.
- Training on the job: Support with upskilling skills through on‑the‑job training and qualifications.
- Professional Membership Fees: Where membership to professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.
Diversity
Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.
All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment; all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.
Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Social Researcher employer: SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Detail:
SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Understand their goals and challenges, so you can tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their mission in South Yorkshire.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Social Researcher, you'll need to communicate complex insights clearly. Grab a friend or family member and present your findings to them – it’ll boost your confidence!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Use specific examples from your experience that align with what we’re looking for in a Social Researcher.
Showcase Your Research Skills: Highlight your experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. We want to see how you've applied these skills in real-world scenarios, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes!
Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our mission at SYMCA. Show us how your passion for improving outcomes in South Yorkshire aligns with our goals. Personal touches can make a big difference!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as well as your approach to designing data collection methods. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be presenting complex insights to non-technical audiences, practice explaining your research findings in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've communicated your results effectively in the past, whether through reports or presentations, to demonstrate your ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience managing multiple research projects simultaneously. Highlight specific examples where you maintained quality and pace, and discuss any tools or techniques you used to keep everything on track. This will show that you can handle the demands of the role.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you've built strong relationships with external partners in previous roles. Be prepared to share examples of collaborations with local authorities or universities, and how those partnerships enhanced your research outcomes. This will illustrate your ability to work across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders.