The RSA combines thought leadership with civic innovation to further human progress. Building on our 260-year history as a beacon for enlightenment values, the RSA is at an exciting period in its history. We provide platforms for leading experts through the UK’s most ambitious free public lecture series, our projects generate new models for tackling the social challenges of today and we are building on our network of over 29,000 Fellows around the world – a network of influential and accomplished individuals from every field with a real commitment to progressive and social change.
The role
- Are you an experienced researcher or consultant looking for your next challenge?
- Do you believe in the power of learning to transform peoples’ lives?
- Do you want to work for an organisation dedicated to tackling society’s biggest challenges through ideas and action?
We’re looking for a Senior Researcher who wants to work at the intersect of research and practice to deliver the RSA’s goal of enriching society through ideas and action.
You will work on issues such as improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, delivering better life-long learning, and defining the purpose of education.
You will be a rigorous and creative individual, who is passionate about developing an education system in which everyone is given the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
You’ll have a strong understanding of education policy and practice. You will be able to manage your time, work with others in a busy team, liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders, manage and deliver projects, conduct research, produce clear analysis, and communicate effectively with a range of audiences. You will have experience of working in the education system or in a research organisation, think tank or charity.
Key roles and responsibilities
- Designing and carrying out qualitative and/or quantitative research to inform education policy and practice.
- Using research findings and a wide range of other evidence sources to inform the design of interventions, policy and practice, to and influence the actions of policy-makers, practitioners and the public.
- Engaging with policy makers, opinion formers, practitioners, other experts to promote the RSA’s education work, and building and mobilising coalitions for change.
- Contributing to strategy development and fundraising for new work, including developing funding opportunities.
- Contributing to the delivery of projects and programmes, managing projects on time and on budget.
Experiences and skills
Essential
- Excellent quantitative and/or qualitative research skills.
- Ability to effectively analyse complex problems and propose meaningful solutions, drawing on information from a wide range of sources.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely and without jargon, both in writing and in person.
- Belief in the power of education to improve society and change peoples’ lives for the better.
- Thorough knowledge of the workings of the English school system and wider trends in education policy and practice.
- Experience of designing, managing and delivering social research projects, including managing budgets, preferably in the field of education.
- Experience of writing and editing public policy research and analysis reports, preferably in the field of education.
- Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to establish productive working relationships and build coalitions with a wide range of stakeholders, inside and outside the RSA.
- Ability to work independently to tight deadlines, and to work effectively within a team.
Desirable
- Excellent quantitative research skills.
- Experience of designing or delivering education interventions (as a teacher, policy-maker, consultant, academic or other education professional).
- Experience of successfully fundraising for projects.
- Strong presence on social media, engaging in debates about education.
- Experience of line management.
- Experience of successfully planning, delivering and chairing or facilitating public events.
Additional information
You don’t need to submit a cover letter.
Please submit your application through the RSA website. We cannot accept applications via email. All applications will receive an automated response.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 10am Wednesday 5th June 2019. Interviews are expected to take place on mid June 2019 at the RSA House, WC2N 6EZ. Please note that we cannot accept late, incomplete applications, and we can only consider candidates who apply through the online application process.
If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Danni Mason at [email protected].