Research Associate, DECIPHer and CARE
21346BR
Cardiff School of Social Sciences
Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit a Research Associate to work within two research centres, the Centre for Adult Social Care Research (CARE) and Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) that are located within the School.
In this role you will conduct research within the field of suicide and self-harm prevention and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to high-quality publications. To engage with public, practice and policy stakeholders to develop relevant research.
The post is funded through the Welsh National Centre for Suicide and Self-harm Prevention, a Health and Care Research Wales infrastructure investment, led by Swansea University.
- This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term covering a period of Maternity Leave from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
- Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6), with annual increments up to final salary at top of grade. New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the salary scale.
- Responsible to Professor Jonathan Scourfield, Principal Investigator
- For an informal discussion about the role please contact Jonathan, Scourfield@cardiff.ac.uk.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.
Date advert posted: Tuesday, 3 March 2026
Closing date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University
Job Description
Research
- To conduct research within the field of suicide and self-harm prevention and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
- To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the National Centre for Suicide and Self-harm Prevention research programme, including the planning and organisation of Centre activities and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
- To participate in research centre and School research activities.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
Other - To engage effectively with policy and practice partners regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the profile of relevant research centres and the School, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and research centres and the enhancement of their regional and national profile.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and research centres and their work to the wider University and the outside world
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or equivalent or relevant practice or policy experience
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of social science research and/or relevant policy/practice experience in one or more field with strong relevance to suicide and self-harm prevention. The post’s methodological focus is likely to include systematic reviews, intervention development and evaluation and/or qualitative research on lived experience. It will have a particular focus on suicide and self-harm research with adult social care populations, so expertise in these would be especially relevant.
- Knowledge of current status of research in one or more of: suicide and self-harm prevention, systematic reviews; intervention development and evaluation; qualitative research on lived experience; adult social care; public health.
- Proven ability to publish in national/international journals / national/international conferences and/or other research outputs
- Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
- Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
- Proven ability to engage with public, practice and policy stakeholders to develop research priorities and disseminate research findings.
- Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
- Proven ability to work without close supervision.
- Desirable Criteria
- Relevant professional qualification in health care, public health or social care
- Evidence of collaborations with services relevant to suicide and self-harm prevention.
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School and research centres.
IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
It is Cardiff University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.
As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.
Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.
Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).
Further information and apply here: https://krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=30011&siteid=5460#jobDetails=2272808_5460.
