Researcher jobs in Cardiff

Research Manager

Location: Flexible, London Head Office (minimum 2 days per week in the office) or Home Based
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £44,598 (London, Hybrid) or £40,320 (home-based)
Closing Date: 9.00am, Monday 17 August 2026
Interview Dates: Thursday 3 September and Friday 4 September 2026 (expected)

Join Homeless Link

Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homeless agencies in England. With more than 750 members, we work to improve services and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.  

As part of the Social Change directorate the Policy and Research team lead Homeless Link’s evidence, policy influencing and thought leadership activities. The research team generates robust evidence and practical insight to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. We exist to contribute to the national evidence base needed to shape policy, challenge narratives, and advocate for system-level change. We deliver applied mixed-methods social research that helps organisations, commissioners, and communities understand needs, experiences, and what works to strengthen responses to homelessness.

About the Role

We’re looking to recruit a Research Manager to support the delivery of our strategic research portfolio. This role will involve managing and delivering research design, data collection, analysis and reporting, while working collaboratively with colleagues across Homeless Link, member organisations, academics, government officials, partners and people with lived experience.

The successful candidate will be an excellent project manager with strong quantitative research skills. They will have communication and relationship building skills, understanding of interpreting research findings in wider policy contexts, and of making strategic recommendations for national and local policy and decision makers.  For full details of the role please download our Recruitment Pack.

About You

We're looking for an experienced researcher with strong project management skills and expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. You'll be comfortable working with data, producing high-quality analysis and communicating findings to a wide range of audiences.

You will bring:

• Experience managing research or evaluation projects from inception to completion.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience analysing and interpreting data from multiple sources.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Experience using research and data analysis software such as SPSS, R, NVivo or Power BI.

Location and Working Arrangements

This role can be based at our London Head Office or b can be home-based, with flexibility to work remotely. The successful candidate must be willing to travel across the UK when required, including occasional overnight stays.

Employee Benefits

Homeless Link is proud to offers a wide range of generous benefits including:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Enhanced Maternity, Parental, Adoption and Sick Pay schemes
• Enhanced employer pension contributions and Salary Exchange Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Access to the Blue Light Card scheme
• Group Life Assurance scheme (4x Scheme Salary benefit)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Homeless Link is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and actively welcomes applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, people from Black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and other underrepresented groups. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the role to recruitment email. Applicants that do not submit a covering letter, will not be considered. If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, please contact the recruitment team on the above email address.

Please note: All successful applicants will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK and complete or provide a basic DBS certificate.  

Lead change. Shape policy. Amplify the voices of bereaved families.

Child Bereavement UK is looking for an accomplished Head of Policy & Research to lead our evidence and policy agenda at a pivotal time for the charity.

You'll bring a strong track record of leading policy and research activity, developing influential partnerships, and translating evidence into meaningful change. With an established understanding of the policy landscape and the credibility to engage senior stakeholders across health, social care, government and the voluntary sector, you'll play a key role in shaping policy and practice for bereaved families across the UK.

You'll lead our research programme, develop evidence-based positions, build strategic partnerships, and ensure the experiences of bereaved children, young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child are reflected in policy and practice across the UK.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience and established networks in policy and research.
• Can translate complex evidence into compelling recommendations for change.
• Is an exceptional relationship-builder, communicator and strategic thinker.
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved children, young people and parents.

This is a rare opportunity to shape national conversations, influence decision-makers and ensure lived experience is at the heart of policy and practice.

Please note, the role will involve regular travel to London based conferences, events and network meetings as required, plus occasional travel to team meetings in Birmingham.

Join us and help create lasting change for bereaved families across the UK.

Research and Policy Officer 
Job Description 

About DigitalCare Hub 

Digital technology helps care services spend more time caring. It helps the people we support keep control of their lives, and of their care. Over the last few years, the need for information to be shared securely and efficiently between health and care services has become even moreapparent. But this introduces new risks – for example how information is kept safe and secure, and what happens if a digital system fails. 

This is a shared role across DigitalCare HubandtheBetter Security, Better Careprogramme which wemanage. 

Digital Care Hubis runwithsocialcare,for social care.The Digital Care Hub provides free information,guidanceand support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely. 

We are an independent, not-for profit, Community Interest Company, guided by care providers, so we understand the needs and challenges facing the diverse range of organisations in our sector. 

Better Security, BetterCareis a support programme– funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Digital Care Hub -to help adult social care providers to store and share information safelyby using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). The DSPT is a free, online self-assessment for health and care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. 

The programme is delivered by acentral team and our local support organisations across the country. Most of these support organisations arelocal care provider trade associations. We also work closely with colleagues from the NHS, ADASS, DHSC and local councils. 

About you and the role 

We're looking for an inquisitive, analytical and collaborativeResearch and Policy Officerto join our growing team. 

You'll play a key role in helping Digital Care Hub become the leading source of evidence, insight and practical guidance on digital transformation, data, AI and cybersecurity in adult social care. 

Working across our national programmes, you'll design and deliver research projects, analyse policy developments, engage with providers and partners, and translate complex issues into clear, practical resources that help the sector improve. You'll contribute to consultation responses, produce reports and briefings, support national events and webinars, and help us demonstrate the impact of our work. 

This is a varied role that combines research, policy development, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery. No two weeks will look the same—you could be facilitating a roundtable with care providers, analysing survey data, drafting a briefing for government, interviewing providers for a case study or helping develop new guidance on AI in social care. 

You'll work closely with colleagues across Digital Care Hub and our national partners, taking an entrepreneurial approach to identifying emerging issues, generating insight and turning evidence into action. You'll report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will have the opportunity to shape the development of our research and policy function as the organisation continues to grow. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research and Insight 

• Design and deliver research projects. 

• Develop surveys and analyse data. 

• Conduct interviews and focus groups. 

• Facilitate provider roundtables. 

• Review policy and academic literature. 

• Produce evidence summaries. 

• Identify emerging issues across digital health and adult social care. 

Policy Development 

• Draft policy papers and consultation responses. 

• Translate research into practical recommendations. 

• Produce briefings for government, boards and senior leaders. 

• Track developments across DHSC, NHS England, CQC and ICO. 

• Support Digital Care Hub policy positions. 

Programme Delivery 

• Support grant funded programmes. 

• Develop guidance and resources. 

• Produce webinar materials and case studies. 

• Coordinate advisory groups. 

• Support monitoring and evaluation. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build relationships with providers and representative bodies. 

• Collaborate with universities, government and sector partners. 

• Engage technology suppliers where appropriate. 

Communications 

• Write reports, briefings and newsletters. 

• Draft articles and presentations. 

• Support thought leadership. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Develop outcome measures. 

• Analyse programme impact. 

• Produce evaluation reports. 

• Identify lessons learned. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Degree or equivalent experience. 

• Experience designing research projects. 

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills. 

• Excellent written communication. 

• Ability to explain complex subjects clearly. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

Desirable 

• Charity experience. 

• Knowledge of digital transformation. 

• Understanding of AI and cybersecurity. 

• Experience evaluating programmes. 

• Experience working with government. 

 
Main terms and conditions 

• £36,000 per annum including pension. 

• Full timefixed term12 month fixed term contract 

• Homebased,withsometravelacross England 

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank holidays 

This role leads the development of evidence-based, equity-driven research, policy and legal interventions that advance a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

About us

Uplift supports efforts to create a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK. We urgently need to phase out oil and gas drilling to stay within safe climate limits. Yet, despite having renewable resources in abundance, the UK remains Europe’s second largest oil and gas producer. We can and must be ambitious about moving past oil and gas production, while empowering and supporting workers and communities who rely on the industry for their livelihoods. Working with everyone from policy-makers and Parliamentarians, to academics and campaigners, Uplift undertakes research, analysis and campaigning to support a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK.

We have an exciting vacancy for a new member of staff to join Transport for All to lead the development and delivery of our Research Team. This role includes a mixture of team and programme management, project delivery, new business and research funding applications. You’ll be responsible for income generation via your programmes, while ensuring that our research work delivers on improving transport accessibility for all disabled people. 

You’ll manage our research work which seeks to change the culture of transport and street design for the long term. Our research is highly respected within the sector and by local and national government. It also challenges the sector status quo by modelling a progressive and proactive approach to co-design and co-production by ensuring meaningful engagement with disabled people. 

Please visit our website to download our candidate pack, including a detailed job description and information on how to apply. 

The Communications and Research Officer is a new post designed to help bridge the gap between the research and campaigning work of Drone Wars UK and our supporters and the general public. The role is split 50/50 between communications and research. The communications element combines social media activity, website content creation and email communications, helping to ensure our messages are communicated clearly, consistently and creatively across a range of channels.  The research element consists of undertaking a number of short-term specific research projects alongside participation in on-going longer-term research work.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys creating engaging content as well as undertaking in-depth investigations that contribute to positive social change. In addition, the person appointed will take an active role in the forthcoming strategic review shaping the organisation’s work over the next few years.

Job Description

Communications

• To be responsible for Drone Wars UK’s website, managing regular content updates and improving the content, layout and structure.
• To schedule social media content and manage social media accounts to increase engagement and reach.
• To use appropriate design tools in the creation of content for website and all digital and public facing channels.
• To undertake email campaigns in conjunction with the staff team to promote our work and increase participation in events.
• To participate in engagement with legacy and new media alongside other members of the staff team in order to promote the work and campaign aims of Drone Wars UK.
• To undertake appropriate speaking engagements on behalf of DWUK.

Research

• To undertake specific pieces of research into the use of armed drones, autonomous weapons and the militarisation of space as agreed with the Director.
• To write and produce accessible reports, articles and briefings based on the research undertaken.
• To write appropriate copy for the website.
• To contribute to on-going research work by keeping abreast of new and emerging military technologies.
• To contribute to maintaining the Drone Wars UK internal information database 

General

•  To work collaboratively with the staff team to set priorities and to develop existing and future research projects and campaigns.
• To network with other communicators, researchers and campaigners working on these issues in relevant organisations. 
• To undertake tasks as directed by the Director to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.
• To participate in campaign activity to limit the harms caused by armed drones, autonomous weapons and the militarisation of space.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• A degree, preferably to Master’s level, or equivalent experience in a subject area relevant to the post (Essential).
• Three years experience of engaging in research work, preferably in the peace and security/human rights sector or similar field (Essential).
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Drone Wars UK (Essential) 
• Demonstrable ability to write and express thoughts and positions clearly, succinctly and accurately in English in a variety of formats, including major reports (Essential).
• Hands-on experience of managing websites (WordPress) and utilising social media, email marketing platforms, and varied digital tools to drive engagement (Essential). 

Skills and Attributes

• Understanding of the on-going legal and ethical debate around the use of armed drones, autonomous weapons and/or militarisation of space (Essential).
• Ability to manage workloads and professional duties without day-to-day managerial oversight (Essential) 
• The right to work in the UK (Essential)
• Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities (Essential). 
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team (Essential).
• Experience in engaging with legacy and new media to promote campaign objectives (Desirable). 
• Familiarity with national and international security issues and institutions (Desirable).
• Willingness to learn new skills and work co-operatively with others to build strong campaigns (Desirable).