Salary range: £37,694 - £46,049 FTE: 1 (35 hours/weeks) Term: Fixed (12 months) Closing date: 05/10/2025 CYCJ works towards ensuring that Scotland’s approach to children and young people in conflict with the law is rights-respecting, contributing to better outcomes for our children, young people and communities. Children and young people are at the heart of all our activity, although one of our key mechanisms for change is by providing policymakers and practitioners with high quality evidence-informed support. We are seeking a Research Associate to work within our Research Workstream to contribute to CYCJ’s broad research programme. You will have a PhD in the social sciences or extensive professional research experience with children and young people or in justice settings. We are particularly interested in applications from people with good knowledge and understanding of the Scottish youth justice system. You should also have experience of researching sensitive topics and understand the practical and ethical issues involved in researching with children, young people or vulnerable participants. Good organisational and written skills are essential, as is the ability to communicate and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, especially with children but also with family members and professionals. Please note this is a fixed term full-time appointment for 12 months. This may be extended dependent on securing additional funding. Job Description This post will provide additional capacity for the CYCJ Research Workstream, working on a range of different projects in relation to children in conflict with the law. The postholder will provide project support for the Research Lead, or other colleagues, as well as be able to work independently and lead on new projects as required. These projects will depend upon the strategic needs of the Centre as well as the needs of stakeholders and funding requirements. Projects may include preparation of ethics applications; research with professionals; research directly with children, young people and families; secondary data analysis; literature reviews; development of data collection instruments; administering surveys etc. The postholder will also need to work both collaboratively and independently in preparing reports and papers for young people, policy, practice, and high-quality academic journals etc. The postholder will therefore need experience in a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and approaches, as well as the ability to share and translate this knowledge for children and young people. The role may involve travel across Scotland and may also involve significant face-to-face fieldwork, as well as some potential non-standard working hours (evenings and weekends) to meet the needs of children and young people. Main Activities/Responsibilities: Provide research support to the Research Lead or other colleagues within the Centre as required. Engage as an independent researcher in undertaking individual and collaborative research including all aspects of research, from design to fieldwork, analysis and write-up. In conjunction with others, contribute to the development of the current programme of research and knowledge exchange in relation to children and young people in conflict with the law. Disseminate results through regular publications in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings, as well as accessible outputs, presentations and other dissemination activities. Participate in and develop external networks to foster research collaborations, to inform the development of research objectives and to identify and apply (in conjunction with others or independently) for potential sources of funding. Develop knowledge exchange activities by, for example, establishing research links with local authorities and the third sector, and influencing public policy and the professions. Carry out Department, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions, for example through membership of committees. Engage in continuous professional development. Engage in any other relevant duties to support the work of the Centre.