Senior Researcher

Job Description

Senior Researcher - Leeds (onsite)Salary band: £25,000 - £28,000 DOE + benefits (see below)We are Cosmos, we deliver engagement programmes for young people alongside meaningful research projects, to empower positive long-term change in the education sector.We are at an exciting phase of growth and are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Researcer to join our friendly team to help support this next development phase.The CompanyWe specialise in delivering youth and student research within the Education sector.Examples of areas we are commissioned to investigate include providing robust insights on student educational experiences, from secondary school through to university; and assessing impacts of targeted student initiatives.We are also proud to be a culturally sensitive organisation and deliver national educational Black and Ethnic Minority research projects, to help institutions significantly improve equitability in education for students from minority ethnic backgrounds.We also work with public, private and education sectors to deliver initiatives and training that help to improve the life chances, social mobility and experiences of young people / adults within the social care and education sectors. For more informationon the work that we do, please visit cosmosltd.uk.What we offer

• Option to become a member of the pension scheme
• Bonus review every year based on individual and company performance
• Salary is reviewed every 6 months in line with PDR objectives and reviewed on a 6 monthly basis
• 23 days annual leave entitlement - rising 1 day for every year of service *capped limit (AL is a benefit we are currently reviewing)
• Additional day off for Christmas Shopping
• 8 statutory bank holidays
• 37hrs p/w (with flexi / toil for overtime)
• Work from home Fridays
• Paid parental leave (after successful completion of probation period)
• Discounted gym membership "The Edge" (200m from office)
• Refreshments provided, free of charge
• Access to annual calendar of community events at Nexus, additional CPD

The job purposeTo support delivery in the successful execution, management and delivery of research and evaluation projects.Role ResponsibilitiesGeneral duties

• Support delivery of a number of research and evaluation projects.
• Ensure all materials developed and project stages met according to timings.
• Support the set-up and running of research programmes by successfully managing project administration tasks, including logistics, bookings, recruitment of participants and liaison with key project stakeholders.
• Feed in to project planning sessions to inform the successful running and completion of research programmes.
• Liaise with suppliers, project stakeholders and clients as needed to provide and gain necessary information and requirements to progress projects.
• Be proactive and take the lead in administrative and logistical elements such as printing materials, planning fieldwork etc.
• Contact and send deliverables to clients occasionally, with guidance from Senior Managers / Director.

Research Methods and Practice

• Development of a range of research materials, with support and guidance of Managers/ Directors.
• Conduct a range of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods including conducting qualitative interviews and scripting surveys.
• Conduct primary research using qualitative methods, these may include discussion groups, workshops, 1:1 interviews, tele-depths and vox pops; in schools, colleges, universities and potential public locations.
• Support delivery of quantitative research projects by scripting surveys, data inputting / checking and use of analytical software to conduct preliminary analysis on datasets (i.e. setting up cross-tabulations in Qualtrics).
• Conduct extensive and comprehensive literature reviews of academic journals, papers and articles.
• Oversee and check tasks which can be assigned to a Junior Researcher.

Analysis and Insight

• Develop insights and commentary, with support and guidance from Senior Manager/ Director.
• Undertake detailed analysis of data, interpret and triangulate qualitative and quantitative data, to synthesise all data sources in to actionable insights, summaries and recommendations for the client.
• Share observations, ideas and questions with your colleagues.

Reporting and Outputs

• Develop high quality reports and outputs, with support and guidance from Managers/ Directors.
• Ensure high degree of accuracy, quality and consistency of outputs.
• Support in presentations to clients. This could include a face to face presentation or delivery of a client workshop.

Internal Projects

• Support internal best practice and proposition development projects, with support and guidance from Account Manager/Director.

New business development

• Develop an understanding of the Public Sector and Higher Education markets and trends.
• Make positive contributions to internal and client meetings, including development of new proposals/ projects.
• Proof-read and/or write sections proposals as requested by Research Manager/ Director.

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• Degree with a minimum of 2:1
• Desirable: Degree preferably in psychology, social sciences or research related discipline
• Minimum of 1 years experience in a research and /or evaluation related role carrying out qualitative / quantitative research methods.
• Sound knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative methods & practice.
• Demonstrable experience of conducting primary research methodologies and using data from a variety of sources (qual. and/or quant.), interpreting and presenting the findings/outcomes to make appropriate recommendations.
• Desirable: experience of successfully managing sub-contractors including associates

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