Job Description
Job Title: Research Associate (Navigating Neurodisability Through The Prison Gates)
Posting Start Date: 18/12/2025
Job Id: 2070
School/Department: Socio Studies, Politics & Intl Relations
Work Arrangement: Part Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): 15,892
Closing Date: 15/01/2026
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
Working with: Project Manager, Co-Investigators, partner organisations, co-researchers
The School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations is seeking a Research Associate with advanced qualitative skills and experience working with people in the justice system with complex needs related to neurodiversity or disability. The postholder will support a major NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) project examining how social care needs are identified and met for people with neurodisability while in prison and during their transition into the community.
This co-produced, multi-site, longitudinal study involves working closely with partner organisations including Revolving Doors, Access So
cial Care, NHS RECONNECT, prison neurodiversity teams, probation, and local authority social care. The Research Associate (RA) will play a central role in coordinating fieldwork, supporting co-researchers in custody, and conducting interviews with staff and individuals leaving prison.
The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, sensitivity to neurodiversity and trauma, and the ability to work in complex environments across criminal justice and social care settings.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Project Coordination and Operational Delivery
Provide day-to-day project management across all five work packages, ensuring activities progress on time and to plan.
Coordinate access, scheduling and logistics across prisons, probation sites, and community locations.
Work closely with the PI and Research Associate to manage a large and dynamic interview schedule involving multiple partners.
Maintain project records, progress trackers, risk registers and reporting systems in line with NIHR SSCR requirements.
Develop and maintain effective communication channels across the research team, prisons, probation, NHS, and third-sector partners.
Support the PI with preparation and submission of HMPPS, University and HRA ethics documentation.
- Monitor milestones and alert the PI to emerging risks or delays, supporting problem-solving and contingency planning.
Financial and Resource Management
Manage project expenditure, working with University finance teams to ensure accurate forecasting, monitoring, and reconciliation.
Oversee payment processes for co-researchers in custody (via prison finance), in line with MoJ guidance.
Arrange purchasing, travel bookings, reimbursement claims and procurement of training or workshop materials.
- Ensure financial and administrative compliance with University and NIHR regulations.
Stakeholder, Partner and Lived-Experience Coordination
Act as the operational liaison between the University and external partners including prison governors, neurodiversity support managers, probation leaders, NHS RECONNECT staff, Access Social Care, and Revolving Doors.
Coordinate co-researcher training sessions, insight sessions, reflective support meetings and workshops delivered with Revolving Doors and partner organisations.
Promote and support co-production principles, helping ensure accessible communication, trauma-informed practices and inclusive engagement.
- Maintain regular communication with people with lived experience and practitioners involved in advisory groups and dissemination activities.
Events, Workshops and Dissemination Support
Coordinate meetings of the Advisory Group, including agenda preparation, minute-taking, and follow-up on actions.
Support planning and delivery of cross-prison online meetings, co-production workshops, training sessions and reflective practice groups.
Lead logistical planning for the regional dissemination workshop, including venue, invitations, travel, access arrangements and materials.
- Assist with dissemination activities including updating webpages, supporting toolkit development processes and coordinating contributions from partners.
Information, Data and Governance
Maintain secure filing systems for documents, ethics submissions, approvals and partner correspondence.
Support adherence to GDPR, NIHR and HMPPS data management protocols.
- Ensure research activity is conducted within the required ethical frameworks, escalating concerns where appropriate.
General Duties
Uphold the University's values on EDI, accessibility, anti-discrimination and trauma-informed ways of working.
Embed sustainability principles into administrative and organisational practices.
Undertake professional development and mandatory training relevant to safeguarding, digital systems, and research governance.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the role.
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
PhD (or close to completion) in criminology, sociology, social policy, social work, disability studies, psychology, or a related field.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience researching or working with people experiencing disability, impairment or functional difficulties
Essential
Application/interview
Advanced experience of collecting, managing, analysing and presenting qualitative data.
Essential
Application/interview
Knowledge of neurodisability/neurodiversity (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disability, TBI, communication disorders) and how it impacts on experiences
Essential
Application/interview
Strong understanding of ethical issues in sensitive research, particularly in justice, social care, or health settings.
Essential
Application/interview
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work sensitively with individuals in custody.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience and ability to work as part of a team and to also work independently and to deadlines.
Essential
Application/interview
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with a range of audiences.
Essential
Application/interview
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing time and deadlines effectively.
Essential
Application/interview
A knowledge and understanding of co-production, equality, diversity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice.
Essential
Application/interview
Experience working in prisons, probation, social care, or related sectors.
Desirable
Application/interview
Experience supporting peer researchers or people with lived experience.
Desirable
Application/interview
Familiarity with the Care Act 2014 and adult social care assessment processes.
Desirable
Application/interview
Experience conducting longitudinal or multi-site research.
Desirable
Application/interview
Experience contributing to practice-facing outputs or toolkits.
Desirable
Application/interview
Experience of undertaking research with practitioners
Desirable
Application/interview
Track record of publication or conference presentation.
Desirable
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
Salary
£38,784 - £41,064 (Pro rata for part time staff)
Work arrangement
This post is part time for 17.5 hours per week.
Duration
This post is fixed-term with a start date of or as soon as possible thereafter) and an end date of
Line manager
Principal Investigator
Direct reports
None
For informal enquiries about this job contact Danica Darley on
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place towards the end of January 2026. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact spr-
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().
What we offer
* A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
* paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
* support for those going through the menopause
* paid time off and support for fertility treatment
* and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.