Postdoctoral Research Associate

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Contextual Safeguarding with a particular emphasis on researching the implications of Contextual Safeguarding for welfare involved parents. This is part of the From Capacity to Context research project, led by Dr Rachael Owens. The project uses participatory research with parents in the context of adolescent safety and harm to shape social work reforms.

The successful applicant will be expected to lead and develop qualitative research activities, data analysis and project support. The applicant will have responsibility for leading participatory research activities with parents and practitioners, specifically supporting the co-design of new safeguarding practices. It will involve working closely with the voluntary sector partner Ivison Trust to facilitate co-produced research. The post holder will need to strong skills in working sensitively to build trust with people who are involved with safeguarding/welfare services and possess a good knowledge of child safeguarding practice in the UK. They will also need skills in utilising creative methods for research and know how to analyse and write-up data collected through these approaches through a range of outputs.

The role will involve travelling to collect data in person in the North of England.

• To collect, analyse, understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research outputs including practice facing material, academic papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder as well as briefings and reports for policy, practice and community audiences
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
• To build strong partnership relationship with key people in the research project
• To apply expert knowledge of the welfare-involved parents and child protection practice to lead a consortium of parents and practitioners
• To lead on supporting the consortium to make recommendations for piloting new approaches within social work for parents of adolescents
• To collect and analyse pilot data through qualitative research methods (observations of practice, interviews and focus groups)

This post is funded for a fixed period (due to time limited funding), until 31st March 2026.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.