Purpose
As a Researcher at the Nuffield Trust, you will contribute directly to our mission by delivering high-quality research, evaluation, and policy analysis. This role offers the opportunity to work across a diverse range of projects and topic areas, while learning from experienced colleagues who are experts in both content and methods. You will be expected to work as part of project teams, undertaking research and policy analysis tasks to contribute to the successful delivery of our work. Supported by peers and more senior team members, you will contribute to writing and presenting work, disseminating findings and achieving meaningful impact.
We value the unique expertise you bring. To succeed in this role, you’ll need experience in qualitative research, evaluation, or policy analysis within health or social care. Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an ability for critical thinking are essential. We’re looking for someone who takes initiative, works well with others, and is eager to learn and grow.
Main responsibilities
Line managed by a Fellow or Senior Fellow, and working closely with the wider Research & Policy Team and the Communications Team, you will assume the following principal responsibilities:
Undertaking research- Contribute to the planning, development and delivery of research projects, working in collaboration with others within internal and external project teams.
- Undertake research using qualitative methods, qualitative data analysis, evaluation and policy analysis using appropriate methods.
- Analyse and synthesise evidence and information for a wide range of projects.
Project management- Contribute to the effective management of projects by supporting the project manager to set, and meet, goals and milestones.
- Contribute to, and support the development of, project proposals and funding bids.
- Ensure that the Nuffield Trust’s research processes (e.g. research ethics, data governance, and writing conventions) are adhered to in all our work.
Communication and securing impact- Write in a range of formats to disseminate the results of research and analysis. Examples include contributing to Nuffield Trust reports, concise parliamentary briefings and authoring short blogs.
- Make written and oral presentations to internal and external audiences. Where required, attend (and help prepare for) meetings with stakeholders.
- Assist with the planning, organisation and running of policy seminars and workshops held by the Trust and write reports of such events.
Building knowledge and working with stakeholders- Keep abreast of developments in relevant areas of health and social care policy and actively participate in meetings and discussions about current policy.
- Build and manage working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that there is an effective exchange of information about shared work themes and projects.
- Actively participate in internal and external events to build your own personal knowledge, make connections, and forge new networks with relevant stakeholders.
Contributing to the Trust’s values- Uphold the ethos of the Nuffield Trust, demonstrating a commitment to our principles of objectivity and equal opportunities.
- Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required in furtherance of the objectives of the Trust.
- Understand and apply the principles of good research and information governance and abide by the Nuffield Trust research policies.
Person specification
Essential Experience- The person we are looking for will have relevant skills consistent with experience of working in government, think tanks or applied academic research, some of which may have been gained via a university-level qualification.
- Experience of carrying out applied health services or policy research, evaluation or analysis.
Skills and abilities- An understanding of, and interest in, health and social care in the UK.
- A good understanding of a range of qualitative research methods and an ability to apply those methods in health policy and health services research, in particular semi-structured interviews, focus groups and surveys.
- Excellent analytical skills and experience analysing qualitative data.
- Excellent critical appraisal skills
- Experience of synthesising findings from literature, research and analysis with an ability to identify and apply appropriate evidence to support an argument.
- Good oral and written communication skills; experience of writing in a range of different formats and of presenting work verbally; and an enthusiasm for further developing these skills.
- Proven ability to work to strict deadlines delivering high quality outputs and managing your own time to suit changing priorities and deadlines.
- An ability to work on your own initiative and to collaborate with colleagues, internally and externally, sharing opportunities and enabling others to make a full contribution.
- An appreciation of research and information governance and ethics.
- Demonstrable commitment to learning and to continued professional development.
- Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including in your approach to research and policy work.
Desirable skills/experience- Experience conducting rapid qualitative research and an understanding of rapid techniques.
- Skills in using specialist software packages for qualitative research (e.g. NVivo, reference management software).
- Experience of working in government, health or social care delivery organisations or third sector organisations working in health and social care.
- A record of writing reports, blogs or academic papers for publication.
All staff are required to work within Nuffield Trust’s policies, ensuring these are carried out in relation to the job, e.g., Confidentiality, Data Protection, Equal Opportunities and Diversity.
All staff may be asked to undertake other duties and responsibilities appropriate to their level as determined by their Line Manager on an occasional basis.
This Job Description reflects the requirements of the post at the time of writing. The needs and circumstances may change over time and therefore the Job Description may need to be reviewed in the light of any such changes which may occur.
