"Research Associate"

University of Birmingham - College of Social Sciences - The Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute

Location:	Birmingham
Salary:	£33,002 to £35,608 Grade 6
Hours:	Part Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On:	24th February 2026
Closes:	17th March 2026
Job Ref:	107063

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906. Grade 6

Hours: Part Time (22.5 hours per week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to May 2028

The post is situated in the Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute (IDRIS) in the School of Social Policy and Society. IDRIS is an applied cross-University research institute established in October 2024 with the appointment of Professor Richard Hastings as 125th Anniversary Chair and Professor of Psychology Health and Social Care.

The ICALD project addresses two questions: What are the challenges to consistent delivery of communication-focused support for people with learning disabilities and severe communication challenges? Can a co-produced workforce development package designed to address these challenges deliver consistent, high-quality communication-based support? ICALD aims to identify challenges in the consistent delivery of communication-focused support in residential care settings for adults with learning disabilities; and co-produce and evaluate a workforce development package and reduce barriers to delivering high-quality communication-focused support practices. The post holder will be responsible for evaluating the project’s co-produced intervention in social care settings by assessing how its being delivered by social care staff. The post holder will use their advanced knowledge of practice leadership. They will use this knowledge to carry out a process evaluation in order to evaluate a co-produced education workforce development programme around supporting good communication for people with learning disabilities.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grant - ICALD
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to publications

Main Duties

• Collect research data with people with learning disabilities and their family and paid carers; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Analyse research data as directed, using your extensive knowledge and experience of practice leadership
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques to improve the quality of support in adult social care services supporting people with learning disabilities
• Extensive experience of evaluating the implementation of relevant models, techniques or methods (including practice leadership, and staff training) in adult social care services supporting people with learning disabilities
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively, particularly with people with learning disabilities, their paid and family carers
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully

Informal enquiries can be made to Jill Bradshaw, email: j.bradshaw.2@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working