Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Share your lived experiences to help shape research for people with learning disabilities.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham's innovative IDRIS team focused on social impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by advocating for those with learning disabilities.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy or research related to learning disabilities.
- Other info: Diverse and supportive workplace committed to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 33002 - 35608 £ per year.
Position Details
School of Social Policy and Society, College of Social Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906
Grade: 6
Part Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026
Closing date: 1st March 2026
This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.
About IDRIS
We are part of the ‘Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute’. We call it IDRIS. IDRIS is a group of researchers at the University of Birmingham. IDRIS does research to help people with learning disabilities and their families. Our research aims to make things better for people with learning disabilities and their families.
IDRIS works with services (like schools and hospitals) and in partnership with people with learning disabilities. Partnership means making choices together. The ideas that people with learning disabilities have are important.
People with learning disabilities help IDRIS with research in lots of ways:
- Choosing the right questions to ask in research.
- Planning the research.
- Doing the research.
- Sharing what we learn from the research in ways that are easy to understand.
IDRIS wants somebody who has a learning disability to join our group of researchers. You will share your experiences of having a learning disability. In this job, you will speak up for people with learning disabilities and work together with others to do research. You will lead a group of people with learning disabilities who give advice to researchers.
You do not need a school or university qualification to do this job. You must have done work like this before:
- Shared your experiences of having a learning disability to help others in a paid or unpaid job.
- Worked in advocacy (speaking up for people), policy (helping make rules), or research (helping find out new information).
This position has a genuine occupational requirement under paragraph 1, Schedule 9, Equality Act 2010, that only applicants with a learning disability can be considered. This is due to the nature of the role, which involves sharing lived experiences as a person with a learning disability and working together with researchers in a way that is called co-production.
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.
Research Associate (Lived Experience) - School of Social Policy and Society - 105540 - Grade 6 in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
Contact Detail:
University of Birmingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate (Lived Experience) - School of Social Policy and Society - 105540 - Grade 6 in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team at IDRIS! Reach out on social media or through networking events. Building connections can give us insights into the role and show our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by thinking about our lived experiences and how they relate to the research. We should be ready to share specific examples that highlight our advocacy work and collaboration with others.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! We can do mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost our confidence. This will help us articulate our thoughts clearly and effectively during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the IDRIS team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate (Lived Experience) - School of Social Policy and Society - 105540 - Grade 6 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to hear your unique voice and experiences, so don’t hold back. Share your story in a way that feels natural to you.
Show Your Passion: Make sure to express why this role excites you! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in making a difference for people with learning disabilities. Tell us what motivates you to apply and how you can contribute.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any past experiences that relate to advocacy, policy, or research. We’re looking for those real-life examples where you’ve made an impact, so be specific about what you’ve done and how it connects to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at IDRIS!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Know Your Story
Make sure you can clearly articulate your lived experiences and how they relate to the role. Think about specific examples where you've shared your experiences to help others, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the position.
✨Research IDRIS
Familiarise yourself with the work of IDRIS and their mission. Understanding their research focus on improving the lives of people with learning disabilities will help you align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Practice Co-Production
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked collaboratively with researchers or advocates in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve contributed to co-production efforts, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for advocacy and making a difference shine through. Share why this role matters to you personally and how you envision contributing to the team at IDRIS. Authenticity can make a big impact!
