Research Fellow - School of Social Policy and Society - 907401 - Grade 8 in Birmingham

Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology, School of Social Policy and Society in the College of Social Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2029

Closing date: 29th June 2026

Background

CHASM is a multidisciplinary research centre for financial security, wellbeing and inclusion. We produce research that matters and use it to advocate for a fairer, more financially inclusive society. The CHASM core team consists of members of academic and professional services staff with varied disciplinary backgrounds from the School of Social Policy and Society and the Birmingham Business School.

Role Summary

The post-holder will make substantial contributions to the range of research, impact, engagement and administration activity in CHASM. The post-holder’s research will involve an established national and developing international reputation through original research work and a record of impact in area(s) aligned with CHASM’s research agenda. The post-holder will be based in the School of Social Policy/Department for Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology.

Main Duties

• Pursue research activity through original research and scholarship in an area related to financial security, wellbeing and inclusion, including other research-related contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or public and policy engagement.
• Contribute to the management of research activities in CHASM.
• Contribute to successful funding bids which develop and sustain research support for areas relating to financial wellbeing, security and inclusion.
• Plan, publish and execute high quality research that results in a highly respected reputation of international quality in a relevant subject area.
• Provide leadership of research that contributes to the progression of CHASM’s research aims and objectives.
• Referee and peer review articles for peer reviewed academic journals and grant applications by research councils and/or other major funding bodies.
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervising other research staff.
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within the institution and externally.

Impact, engagement and enterprise

• Contribute to high value impact activity in knowledge transfer and enterprise that is of manifest benefit to CHASM and the University and: (a) makes a significant contribution to policy development at national and international level; and/or (b) involves development of policy/practice links and comparable networks and initiatives.

Management/administration

• Chair and/or lead activities in CHASM and where appropriate, representation on University committees or working groups.
• Contribute to the administration/management of research.
• Develop and manage staff and resources in support of research activities.
• Contribute to the development of CHASM’s research strategy.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to CHASM and the University.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Person Specification

• A higher degree relevant to the research area (PhD) or equivalent qualifications.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer and similar activity.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a research team.
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Ability to work to deadlines.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Research requirements

• A growing national reputation and a developing international profile through original research work and a clear record of impact.
• Evidence of success under the following:
• High level peer esteem as evidenced by excellent reputation in the UK and/or internationally, reflected in high-quality output, level of innovation, impact on subject and recognition.
• An excellent and sustained record of peer reviewed research publications.
• Successful supervision of doctoral students.
• Research income generation, e.g. through research grants, contracts, research consultancy or other external funding.
• Experience of impact knowledge transfer and enterprise.

Management and administration-related requirements

• Achievement in management and administration-related activities, which may include leadership of research or research-related activities/initiatives.
• Evidence of success under the following:
• Successful performance in administrative/managerial role(s).
• Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Informal enquiries to Louise Overton, email: l.e.overton@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.