Student Casual – Research Assistant – Social Policy – Grade 5 – 907073 in Birmingham

Overview

Post title: Research Assistant

College/Division: College of Social Sciences

School/Department: Social Policy

Full time/Part time: Part time

Duration of the Post: 23/02/2026 - 24/05/2026

Grade: 5

Hourly rate: £16.29 per hour plus holiday entitlement

Number of positions available: 1

Closing Date: 11/02/2026 at 23:55

Please note: this vacancy may be taken down early depending on the number of applications received. We advise you to submit your application promptly.

What we offer

People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years. We are recognised as a leading global university and aim to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, supporting them to succeed and celebrate their success. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston with excellent transport links to the campus, including main bus routes and an on-site train station. On campus there is a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Job context

The School of Social Policy and Society is seeking to appoint a part-time, casually contracted Research Assistant to support the development of an external grant application to the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC).

Job summary

The post holder will undertake time-limited, discrete research tasks that strengthen the conceptual, legal and methodological foundations of a proposed study examining how English Local Authority learning disability policy addresses intimate lives, sex and relationships. This role is designed as a developmental opportunity for a student interested in social policy, social care, disability studies and applied research. The Research Assistant will work under the close supervision of the Principal Investigator, who has co-led a previous policy analysis in this area for an NIHR-funded project.

Main duties

• Conducting a focused literature and document review on the legislative, statutory and historical foundations of local learning disability strategies in England.
• Identifying and summarising relevant legislation, statutory guidance and policy documents that govern the development of local learning disability strategies.
• Assessing whether local authorities are under a statutory duty to produce and maintain learning disability strategies and the legal implications of this.
• Undertaking a case study analysis of a local learning disability strategy to pilot and refine an existing five-step critical policy analysis framework.
• Supporting qualitative document analysis, including coding policy documents (e.g. using NVivo or similar software), under the guidance of the Principal Investigator.
• Assisting with the early development of a stakeholder database to support planned co-production workshops with people with lived experience, practitioners and policy professionals.
• Preparing clear written summaries of findings to support grant development and methodological design.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Person specification

• Demonstrable interest in social policy, social care, learning disability and/or autism research.
• Experience of conducting literature reviews or documentary analysis.
• Ability to summarise complex policy or legal material clearly and accurately in writing.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage time effectively within a short-term project.
• Ability to work independently while following guidance and meeting agreed deadlines.

• Studying social policy, sociology, disability studies, public health, social care, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with UK social care, health or disability policy.
• Experience of qualitative data analysis and/or use of NVivo or similar software.
• Interest in co-production, participatory research or stakeholder engagement.

Informal queries

For any informal queries, please contact Beth Jay (b.jay@bham.ac.uk)

Working arrangements and eligibility

The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable (e.g. PGT, PGR or PhD student), you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if this role exceeds 20 hours per week. International students may need to apply to the Registry for authorised absence. You are eligible to apply if you are a current University of Birmingham student. If you are not a student, your application will not be considered. To work you will need to carry out a right to work check. These checks must be completed prior to work commencing.

AI and applications

Regarding the use of AI in applications, we review applications and shortlist candidates based on their unique perspective, motivations and potential. Cover letters generated through AI tools are not accepted as they produce generic answers. You may use AI tools for research, but all written content must be your own work. Authenticity and originality are key.

Progress and contact

Due to the high volume of applications, we’re unable to contact all applicants individually. You can check progress by logging into the Worklink jobs portal using the same email address you used to apply. If you haven’t heard back within six weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

Our Shared Values

• Ambitious – We are confident in the University of Birmingham and project this globally. We pursue our goals with clarity of strengths and intelligent risk-taking.
• Innovative – We seek to be first to do things, grounded in our Birmingham heritage, to make a positive difference.
• Open – We welcome colleagues from around the world and uphold academic freedom, freedom of speech, and equality of opportunity for all.
• Collaborative – We pursue partnerships within and beyond the University to solve major challenges.
• Responsible – We value transparency, trust, respect, sustainability, and reducing inequalities in access to education.