Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow Social Care (RSS)

at  Lancaster University

This is an opportunity for a researcher to make a real contribution to delivering Lancaster University’s contract with the National Institute of Health Research’s (NIHR) Research Support Service (RSS) and progress their own research career within the field of Social Care with a specific focus on children and young people. The role will develop support and resources for others applying for Social Care research funding playing a key role in RSS staff development, improving knowledge and skills in supporting Social Care research as part of the RSS Social Care Specialist Centre.
The RSS aim is to provide researchers, especially (but not exclusively) applying for and in receipt of NIHR funding with free access to support and expertise. Lancaster hosts one of eight RSS Hubs delivering the national service and the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Social Care, in partnership with the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Manchester Metropolitan.
Working as part of the RSS team at Lancaster University and both within one of the Division of Health Research’s research themes (mental health, health inequalities, end-of-life care, health economics, ageing and organisational health and well-being) and the Department of Sociology’s research priority areas (social and economic inequalities across a range of substantive topics, including climate change, poverty, migration and social work practice and policy, and intersecting inequities (e.g. class, gender, race and ethnicity and sexuality)).
You will have a background in a relevant area (e.g. social sciences, social care research), ideally experience in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and of collaborating with partners within and outside the academic setting. You will also have a strong track record of high-quality peer reviewed publications and grant income appropriate to your career stage.
The Division of Health Research provides a friendly environment that strongly supports the needs of its employees and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty commits to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.
The position is available for an immediate start and flexible working arrangements, including working week and days/hours worked, flexible start and finish times, condensed hours can be discussed.
The role is open to being undertaken remotely, but there will be certain duties/responsibilities that require in-person presence at Lancaster University. The balance of these will be agreed with the successful candidate.
You will join us on an indefinite contract however the role remains contingent on external funding which at this time is due to come to an end on 30th September 2028.
Informal enquiries to: Head of Division Mark Limmer (m.limmer@lancaster.ac.uk) or RSS Co-Director Catherine Gedling (c.gedling@lancaster.ac.uk)

Please refer the Job description for details