Research Fellow
Type of employment: Fixed Term (12 months), 35 hours per week.
Salary: £46,735 - £57,422
Closing Date: 24 July 2026
Change-makers sought!
Are you passionate about research to improve the lives of children and families who need the support of services? We’re looking for an experienced, creative researcher with a track record of leading quantitative and qualitative research to join CELCIS as a Research Fellow.
About you
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a responsive approach that supports effective contribution and where needs can change and develop rapidly? Do you have a track record of working with partners across the higher education, public and voluntary sector? Are you able to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences and to write and review a range of research outputs using different formats and channels to make an impact? If so, this could be the role for you.
About the role
The focus of the role is on supporting the strategic objectives of the organisation and its sustainability through further developing and supporting our research agenda, to improve lifelong outcomes for children, young people, their families and carers across Scotland. This will include income generation via research-related funding, supporting and developing other researchers, participating in and developing networks to foster research collaborations, and working with relevant stakeholders, including Scottish Government, to inform the development of research objectives linked to policy and practice.
This exciting role is linked to a range of research agendas including those to meet the aspirations of The Promise of the Independent Care Review, public sector reform in Scotland, and the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach.
About CELCIS
We are a leading improvement and innovation centre in Scotland, working to improve the lives of children and young people in need of care and protection, and their families and carers. We do this by supporting people and organisations responsible for their care to make changes in services and in the practices and skills they use, all based on the needs, experiences and rights of children and young people.
CELCIS is part of Strathclyde University and staff are university employees with access to rewards and benefits including annual salary increments and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. We are also committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and offer a number of benefits including flexible working, paid maternity and paternity leave, an on-campus nursery and access to the Strathclyde Sport leisure centre.
Qualifications and experience
You will have a PhD in a relevant social science discipline or equivalent research experience in a professional context. Experience of working as a principal investigator within quantitative and qualitative research projects, successfully applying for and managing research funding, and participating in and developing networks to foster research collaborations are essential for this role. You will also have experience of undertaking research relating to children, young people and families in need of support, care and protection.
Formal interviews will be held on 6 August 2023.
We welcome and support applications from a range of backgrounds including lived experience.
Applicants who have applied in the last 6 months need not apply.
Funding for the post
Funding for the post: Like for all colleagues in the team, this post is initially funded for 12 months, with the potential for further funding.
We are working across the country, at local and national level, to help realise The Promise of the Independent Care Review. Change is happening. Be part of it. Together we can make things better for children, young people and their families and carers. Apply now.
Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Heather Ottaway, Head of Evidence and Innovation (heather.ottaway@strath.ac.uk).