Research Fellow(UK Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

The University of Sussex is seeking a Research Fellow to contribute to the final phase of an important national study exploring mental health outcomes for care-experienced young people. This role forms part of the ReThink project, a collaborative research initiative involving partners such as University College London and Cardiff University.

The project investigates how young people in care experience key life transitions and how these influence their mental health and wellbeing. Your work will focus on analysing complex datasets to uncover patterns and insights that can inform future policy and practice.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and contribute to advanced quantitative analysis of large-scale datasets
  Support the final stages of a longitudinal research project
  Work with administrative and child-level data related to education and care experiences
  Collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary research team
  Assist with project coordination and day-to-day delivery
  Contribute to academic outputs, including publications and conference presentations
  Engage with policy and professional audiences to share research findings

The research focuses particularly on two critical transition points:

• The move from primary to secondary education
  The transition from adolescence into adulthood

About You

You are an early-career researcher with strong analytical expertise and a genuine interest in improving outcomes for young people.

You will bring:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as psychology, sociology, education, or social work
  Advanced quantitative analysis skills, particularly using R or SPSS
  Experience working with complex datasets and applying statistical methods
  Knowledge of the UK education and/or children’s social care system
  Accreditation as an ONS researcher to access secure data services
  Strong organisational skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

About the School

The School of Education and Social Work offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment, bringing together expertise across education, childhood studies, and social care.

The School is known for:

• Research that directly informs policy and professional practice
  Strong partnerships with government bodies and international organisations
  High-quality teaching and excellent student outcomes
  A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Research is supported through several specialist centres focusing on areas such as childhood, education, and social innovation.

Working Environment

Set near the South Downs, the University provides a supportive and inspiring place to work. Benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements
  Strong transport links, including nearby rail connections
  Opportunities for professional development
  A collaborative and inclusive academic culture
  Visa and Data Access Guidance

Please note that this part-time position meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

Additional Information

The University welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment.

If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, assistance is available through the recruitment team.