Public Policy Research Officer

This is an exciting opportunity for a Public Policy Research Officer to join
The Public Policy Challenge Fund Project, “What Matters for Students”
(2024-2025). The post will be based in the Centre for Skills, Knowledge and
Organisational Performance (SKOPE) in the Department of Education. The post
holder will report to James Robson, the Director of SKOPE and Principal
Investigator, and will work directly with Elizabeth Rahman, the project lead
at the Centre for Teaching and Learning.





The successful candidate will manage their own academic research and
administrative activities and collaborate with HE colleagues, TASO and the
Office for Students. They will prepare papers and take minutes from meetings
and provide regular updates to stakeholders. Appraising stakeholder
expectations and representing their interests and priorities, while
facilitating a range of top-down and bottom-up conversations and workshops is
expected from the postholder. They will adapt existing and develop new
research methodologies and materials and prepare working theories and analyse
qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, reviewing and
refining theories as appropriate.





The successful candidates will hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, together with
relevant experience. They would have a sufficient specialist knowledge of the
UK HE sector. Knowledge of evaluation methodologies, particularly
participatory approaches is essential for this post. Experience with
participatory action research, knowledge of the regulatory context for the
OfS’s work, as well as understanding of regulatory decision-making processes
which enable credible, evidence-based decisions to be reached is desirable.





The post-holders will be part of the Department of Education and will be able
to participate in the vibrant academic life of the University of Oxford.





This a part time (0.8 FTE) role, and is fixed term until 31 December 2024. Due
to the requirements of the role a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring
Service check is required.





Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will be required
to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your application,
explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this post.





**For further details of the role, please see the job description. The closing
date for applications is midday on 8 December 2023 and only applications
received by this deadline will be considered. Interviews are expected to be
held on 19 December 2023.**