Impactful research. Expert communication. One incredible cause.
x2 Senior Social & Behavioural Researcher
Salary: £37,000 - £44,000 (+ Benefits)
Reports to: Social & Behavioural Research Manager
Department: Policy, Information and Communications
Contract: x1 6 month fixed-term contract and x1 12 month fixed-term contract
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week. We are open to part-time (4 days per week) and Compressed Hours.
Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office). Flexible working options available, requests for home-based flexible working will be considered.
Closing date: 02 April 2024 23:55
recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.
Recruitment process: One competency-based interview
Interview date: Week commencing 08 April 2024
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.
We are searching for a Senior Researcher to join as an integral member of the Social & Behavioural Research team and wider Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorate. The PIC department leads efforts to ensure that national strategies, the health system, and research outputs are aligned to realise and drive improvements for people affected by cancer. This includes supporting and empowering the public to live longer, better lives, free from cancer through health information products and campaigns that champion cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and optimal treatment uptake (e.g., Cancer Chat, the Cancer Awareness Roadshow, Prevention campaigns, and Early Diagnosis campaigns). Much of this life-saving work depends on the impactful, evidence-based research conducted within our Social & Behavioural Research (SBR) team (you can find some of SBR’s reports and publications under ‘Behavioural Science’).
In this role, you will project manage Behavioural Evidence & Intervention research and evaluation initiatives to generate, interpret, and translate evidence, data, and insights to influence internal decision-making as well as external policy and clinical practice. You will achieve this by collaborating with Research & Evaluation Managers, the Head of SBR, multidisciplinary internal teams, and external stakeholders to conduct and commission qualitative and quantitative health research aimed at driving improvements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, screening, and treatment. This will involve testing the application of behavioural and implementation science approaches across multiple projects and teams while collaborating with market research agencies to fulfil PIC’s evidence needs (such as data collection and recruiting large and diverse samples).
If you are an experienced Researcher or Evaluation Specialist with knowledge of social science, behavioural science, or health services research, we would love for you to join our team and play an invaluable role in beating cancer.
What will I be doing?
Project managing and advising on the design and delivery of social behavioural research and evaluation (including health service innovations and/or behaviour change interventions). This will involve:
Ensuring that the research methods, analyses, and communication of results are appropriate, high quality, and have maximum impact.
Carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis (e.g., statistical significance testing, thematic analysis).
Delivering survey design and analysis.
Interpreting and communicating research and evaluation results effectively to internal and external stakeholders by presenting findings in reports, publications, presentations, meetings, and conferences while acting as an external representative for Cancer Research UK.
Collaborating with and influencing internal stakeholders to ensure effective use of research, evaluation, and behavioural science theory and evidence across the Policy, Information, and Communication (PIC) directorate’s activities.
Carrying out literature reviews (peer-reviewed and grey literature) ensuring to interpret, synthesise and present findings to a high standard.
Preparing PowerPoint decks, one-pagers, reports, and conference materials to a high standard while collaborating with colleagues and external researchers to share insights and influence future initiatives.
Maintaining a good working knowledge of research evidence relevant to specific projects.
This will include interrogating the evidence base via internal and external networks with a particular focus on social and behavioural research relevant to cancer prevention, diagnosis, screening, and treatment.
Maintaining and developing effective working relationships while maximising opportunities for collaboration on research and evaluation initiatives with Cancer Research UK colleagues, academics, NHS partners, industry experts and partners, and external suppliers.
Collaborating with teams across PIC on communication plans for the dissemination of key publications (e.g., final reports, peer-reviewed papers, and conference materials).
Ensuring all projects are processed in accordance with Cancer Research UK’s governance policies and standards.
What skills will I need?
To be considered for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK as we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience working as a Researcher or an Evaluation Specialist (ideally within the health sector).
In-depth knowledge of social science, behavioural science, or health services research.
Extensive experience carrying out quantitative and qualitative analysis (e.g., statistical significance testing, thematic analysis).
Extensive experience in survey design and writing discussion guides.
Project management background with an ability to deliver work on time and within budget.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, academics, health professionals, external suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to flex communication style to suit a range of professional and lay audiences.
What will I gain?
Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.
In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.
Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.
We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.
Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.
Internally this role is known as a Senior Researcher (SBR). For the full job description and more information about working with us please contact Jamie.Byford-Palmer@cancer.org.uk
Additional Information
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
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There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
