Job Description
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The Post
The Research Assistant will support the delivery of the UK Centre for implementing evidence in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT). They will work closely with Professor Louise McCabe, Deputy Head of Evidence and Evaluation.
This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting and innovative Implementation Centre funded by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. The post holder’s core responsibilities will be with the review of evidence to support change; internal evaluation of the centre’s projects and support for national work in Scotland.
IMPACT is an ‘Implementation Centre’, drawing on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:
* Supporting more widespread use of evidence in adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
* Building capacity and skills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
* Facilitating sustainable and productive relationships between the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
* Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinder the implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change.
IMPACT is led from the University of Birmingham, with multiple partners across the UK. Stirling is the lead Scottish HE partner and the role is located in Stirling alongside the Deputy Head of Evidence and Evaluation, Professor Louise McCabe. The role holder will report to Professor McCabe. Their role will also involve working with multiple staff across the UK who are delivering local projects and also with the central IMPACT team located at the University of Birmingham.
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE
Please complete the on-line application form and submit (i) a covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and (ii) an up to date CV.
We will consider job share.
Description of Duties
* Supporting monitoring and evaluation activities across the Centre, in accordance with the Theory of Change and evaluation protocols
* Undertaking evidence reviews
* Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
* Ensuring quality of evidence assessment and translation for practice
* Supporting staff to implement evidence protocols and procedures across IMPACT
* Synthesising and reporting on monitoring and evaluation data from across IMPACT
* Planning and contributing to academic and other publications arising from evidence review and evaluation
* Delivering academic workshops to build theory/key concepts from IMPACT’s practical work on the ground
* Supporting the work of the Stirling-based Scotland Project Officer with such activities as may be required
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
* Educated to MSc level or above in a relevant discipline (or research and knowledge exchange experience to a demonstrated equivalent level)
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience of supporting original research and high-quality publications, including significant outputs of internationally excellent standing
* Experience of involvement in research projects with innovative impact
* Experience of involvement in high-quality evaluation research in adult social care
* Experience of developing and delivering knowledge exchange activities
* Understanding of evidence reviewing for implementation
* Ability to engage with policy and practice in adult social care
* Commitment to engaging with lived experience and practice knowledge in adult social care, and to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
* Evidence of high standing in your field for your career stage
Desirable Criteria
* Professional qualification in adult social care
* Experience of research or practice in adult social care
* Experience of co-production in research and knowledge exchange
Additional Information
Full time
Fixed term until 31 December 2027
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 04 January 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing Monday 19 January 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2162.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity. xkybehq
For a full description of duties and essential/desirable criteria please click the apply button, which will take you directly to the University Website.