Research Assistant in Public Sector Evaluation

at  Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University have an exciting and growing area in the evaluation of local initiatives to tackle societal issues such as physical inactivity and health inequalities.
We are pleased to advertise an opportunity to join our research team to contribute to a range of activities across the team including but not limited to:

developing research and evaluation tools.

• liaising with a range of stakeholders including those in practice, research and members of the public with lived experience.
• gathering and analysing rich qualitative data (from interviews, meetings and/documentation).
• undertaking analyses, under direction, utilising a range of complexity sensitive methods including comparative configurational analysis.
• supporting the development of research outputs ranging from short public facing summaries and webinars to academic journal publications.

The role is part of the high profile and innovative National Evaluation and Learning Partnership for Sport England’s investment into place-based systemic working.
Sport England have made investments into multiple places across England to tackle physical activity inequalities by taking a ‘whole-systems’ and ‘place-based’ approach (WSA / PBA). Simply put, this approach addresses barriers and opportunities to physical activity at a range of difference levels – from individual to infrastructural and rooted in the distinctive mix of local characteristics. Sport England’s ten-year strategy ‘Uniting the Movement’ commits to deepening the approach in places with established WSAs and PBAs and expanding the place-based approach with further investment into new places. There is a need to identify the impact made by the WSAs and PBAs and illustrate which conditions lead to which impacts, in which circumstances.
To be successful you must be comfortable working with various data sources, qualitative interviewing experience and have employed systematic approaches to data analysis and reporting. You must also have excellent planning and organisation skills.
You will join an established team, led by Dr Katie Shearn, co-located at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. The candidates will join an established and renowned team of evaluators including, Drs Rob Vincent, Rick Davies and Kev Harris.
Here at Sheffield Hallam University we offer a diverse range of benefits and opportunities to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in a supportive environment.
You will be contractually enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) – one of the largest and most generous defined benefit pension schemes in the country.
Find out more about the TPS.
If you are, or have been, a recent member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) directly prior to joining us, you can choose to opt out of the TPS and remain in the USS. Please contact the Pensions team to discuss options available.
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international applicants in this role; this will depend on a number of factors specific to the individual applicant.
We welcome applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements.
Having trouble with your application? Please see our FAQs for more information.

Please refer the Job description for details