University of Birmingham
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Research Fellow in Social Policy and Survey of Unpaid Carers University of Birmingham in United Kingdom
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Sociology
Funding
The position is a paid Research Fellow employment contract with a full-time starting salary normally ranging from £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822. The contract is fixed term up to May 2027 and may be full or part time.
Deadline
Nov 18, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Birmingham
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About this position
The University of Birmingham, through the ESRC Centre for Care and in partnership with the University of Sheffield, is recruiting a Research Fellow for the Survey of Carers pilot. The project is commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and is designed to capture evidence from unpaid carers, including carers who are not known to local councils or who arrange care privately.
The Research Fellow will contribute to a major social policy and social care research programme focused on producing robust evidence for national and local policy. Working under the supervision and guidance of Professor Matthew Bennett, the researcher will join a wider team at the Centre for Care and collaborate across the Birmingham–Sheffield consortium.
The role centres on analysing the survey data and preparing it for wider publication. Key research activities include working with large and complex datasets, data linkage and cleaning, evaluating sampling models, and assessing sample composition, response and completion quality, operational costs, and scalability. The post holder will also contribute to project reporting and evaluation, research writing, journal articles, and the clear communication of findings.
Additional work includes convening co-design panels with policymakers and charities, developing research outputs, contributing to research methods and models, and supporting the dissemination of findings. The position offers an opportunity to work in an applied, policy-facing research environment spanning social policy, social care, survey research, data analysis, and evaluation.
The post is based at the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, with remote or hybrid working and regular attendance expected.
Funding details
The position is a paid Research Fellow employment contract with a full-time starting salary normally ranging from £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822. The contract is fixed term up to May 2027 and may be full or part time.
What's required
Applicants should hold a PhD relevant to the research area, or be near completion, or have equivalent PhD-level qualifications. They should demonstrate high-level analytical capability; the ability to communicate complex information clearly; fluency in relevant research models, techniques or methods and the ability to contribute to developing new ones; the ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively; an understanding of broader management and administration processes; and experience contributing to planning and organising research programmes or projects. Applicants should be able to coordinate their work with others and understand the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty. Experience with large complex datasets, data linkage, data cleaning, research writing, journal articles, data analysis, and communicating findings is expected or strongly relevant.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Birmingham employee careers portal using the advert for job identification 10291. Submit application materials that accurately reflect your own communication style and genuine interest in the role.
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Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.