Institute for Social and Economic ResearchThe Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), founded over 25 years ago, is a research department in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Essex. It has a worldwide reputation as a multidisciplinary centre of quantitative social science research and as a producer of household panel data of the highest quality ('Understanding Society') and is home to the long-running ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change (MiSoC) and EUROMOD, the tax-benefit micro-simulation model for the European Union.
The Research Centre on Micro-Social Change, MiSoC, created in 1989, is one of the longest running ESRC-funded research centres in the UK. The ESRC has recently awarded MiSoC 5 more years' funding, beginning 1 October 2019. MiSoC is hosted by the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) at the University of Essex, which was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2017 for its "authoritative social and economic research to inform the policies of governments for the improvement of people's lives".
MiSoC is rightly proud of its record of achieving impact on policy and practice, and the future success of MiSoC depends on continuing and enhancing this through the 2019-2024 period, and on demonstrating this to funders and reviewers.
Duties of the RoleThe postholder will play a key role in helping MiSoC achieve its ambitious goals for impact and knowledge exchange. He or she will work closely with the Director of MiSoC, Mike Brewer, and with MiSoC's existing communications team, run by Louise Clarke Cullen. The main duties of the post are:
1. To work with and strengthen the connections between potential users of MiSoC research and MiSoC researchers to maximise opportunities for MiSoC to have an impact on policy and practice outside academia2. To identify opportunities for MiSoC's current and past research to be used in the policy process, and produce appropriate syntheses to facilitate this3. To showcase MiSoC's record in achieving impact, as understood by the Research Excellence Framework, and by UKRI/ESRC.
A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the job pack.
Qualifications and Skills requiredApplicants are required to hold a degree in social science or equivalent experience in using or interpreting the findings of social science research.
The post holder will need experience in using or interpreting the findings of social science research; an understanding of UK policy-making processes and priorities, especially within central government and Parliament; the ability to understand and summarise research findings for a broad audience in writing and verbally; and excellent inter-personal skills, so that they can work with both internal and external stakeholders at all organisational levels to promote MiSoC and to disseminate impactful research.
This is a fixed-term, part-time appointment for two years in the first instance. Applications are welcome from anyone looking to work between 18 and 21.6 hours per week.
At the University of Essex internationalism is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally-oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries and a university where you can find the world in one place.
Please see the further detail link below for a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 876559).
*Further detail: Impact Manager job pack *More information: Working at the University