The Post
The Research Fellow will undertake the fieldwork for the ‘Evaluating the impact of casework for the whole Armed Forces community in a changing world’ project, under the supervision of the PI. The project is a partnership with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity to evaluate the impact of their casework service, which delivers welfare and wellbeing support for members of the Armed Forces community across the UK and beyond. The project aims to measure the impact of the casework service on the lives of beneficiaries, public services and wider society in terms of Social Return on Investment (SROI) and savings to the public purse (the ‘Exchequer value’). Additional analysis will consider the evolving needs of the Armed Forces community, in order to identify how casework services should develop to maximise benefits in the future.
The post is a fixed term contract for 21 months at 50%FTE. The role will be based at the
University of Stirling, although consideration will be given to applicants based elsewhere
within the UK.
Description of Duties
- Leading on most elements of research design (e.g. developing a survey and interview questions)
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Data analysis
- Building good relationships with project partners, including SSAFA staff and an Advisory Board drawn from the wider Armed Forces Charity sector, as well as beneficiaries from the Armed Forces community
- Leading the production of project reports and related academic journal articles, as well as presentations on the project
- The role will involve arranging and undertaking interviews, developing and delivering a survey, analysing data and compiling reports
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Knowledge & Experience
- Experience of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, and survey design and delivery
- Experience of mixed methods data analysis
- Experience of data management and compliance with data sharing agreements
- Experience of working with diverse and vulnerable populations, including those experiencing housing, financial, health or care challenges
- Experience of collaborating with organisations and individuals to deliver research
Skills & Attributes
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
- Strong communication skills in verbal and written formats
- Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills, to facilitate engagement with a wide range of interviewees and partners
- Strong organisational and planning skills
- Excellent skills in collaborating with partner organisations
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of the UK Armed Forces Community
Additional Information
Part time (50% FTE)
Fixed term for 21 months
Grade 7: £38,784 - £46,049 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 20 September 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 07 October 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: FAC02126
