Research Associate (Impact)

About us

The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, which was established in 2001, is home to one of the largest UK university communities for social research and education. We have world-leading expertise across the social sciences: from political economy to security studies; from international development and geography to global health, education and communication. We want our knowledge to matter in the world and believe this can be achieved by collaboration on real-world problems, combining insights and methods from across the disciplines.

About the role

The post-holder will work within the SSPP Faculty Research Team as one of a team of three Research Impact Associates. They will strengthen impact culture across the Faculty and contribute to preparations for the Research Excellence Framework by working with professional service and academic colleagues across SSPP to co-ordinate and develop a portfolio of impact case studies across designated SSPP Units of Assessment (UoAs), including 14 (Geography and Environmental Studies), 19 (Politics and International Studies), 21 (Sociology), 22 (Anthropology and Development Studies) and 23 (Education). Making use of their disciplinary expertise in one of these areas, the post-holder’s responsibilities will include gathering, analysing and synthesising qualitative and quantitative evidence of impact; drafting compelling case study narratives; and maintaining accurate, auditable records of impact evidence.

The successful post-holder will report to SSPP’s Associate Dean (Impact & Innovation) and will work closely with the Faculty Senior Impact Manager. There is an expectation that the post-holder will be on campus to meet business need, usually once per month.

This is a part-time post (21 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 31 August 2028.

Please note - there are three separate roles at 60% FTE available

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Have a PhD, or relevant equivalent experience, in a subject relevant to the research undertaken in SSPP
2. Experience of analysing and presenting qualitative and quantitative data with high accuracy
3. Excellent writing and editorial skills, including drafting clear and compelling content
4. Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
5. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with academic and professional services colleagues across seniority levels
6. Demonstrable experience of influencing and negotiating with a range of stakeholders to achieve agreed outcomes
7. Understanding of the higher education research impact environment
8. Knowledge of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and demonstrable understanding of best practice for evidencing impact

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of drafting or editing research or impact-related content
2. Familiarity with disciplines in REF Main Panels C
3. Experience working in a large or complex organisation

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

3x posts for Research Impact Associates.