Research Associate

Advert Reference Number: 1264 Job Location: Milton Keynes Department: Central Academic - HSC Salary: £38,784 to £39,906 Closing Date: 4 January 2026 Weekly Working Hours: 15 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 29 February 2028 Change your career, change lives The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link). About the Role Please note: This role will start no earlier than 1 March 2026 The appointed research associate will be working on a research project entitled Implementing relational care practice with older adults: developing guidance for care home managers The aim of this exciting project is to address the sectoral issue of older people’s and staff wellbeing in care homes in order to improve the delivery of care for older people through effecting a transition from existing person-centred systems to more relationally focused approaches. The focus will be on leveraging and supporting the critical role of registered residential and nursing care home managers in this process. The lead partner for the project is the ground-breaking Open University Relational Care (OURC) team which was set up in 2024 by leading academics and experts to effect the transition from person centred care to relational care. The Research Associate will work in close collaboration with the Project Research team. This comprises the project lead, co-investigator, relational care consultant and external project partners. The proposed programme of work will take place primarily in Leeds City Region and remotely. It includes the following: two small literature reviews semi-structured interviews with care managers and whole day observations in at least five are home settings in and near Leeds analysis of the interviews and observations co-designing practice guidelines for use by care home managers conducting an online survey of twenty care managers across other homes in England to gather feedback on the draft guidance and individual interviews with three key stakeholders piloting the draft practice guidance and producing the final version working with the Project Research team to disseminate the guidance and its associated resources plus the key findings on which it is based future planning to address the much wider application of the project. Key Responsibilities The person appointed will be expected to contribute to the project in the following ways: Carrying out the fieldwork across at least five care homes in Leeds City Region Conducting two small literature reviews (with input from the research team) to develop the interview and observation topic guides for the care home fieldwork and also to inform the online survey with twenty care homes Analysis of the data collected Organising and participating in co-design workshops with care home managers Working with the Project Research team to produce and pilot draft guidance Assist with the project report, outputs, dissemination, future planning and associated publications About You Essential: A postgraduate qualification (e.g., a Masters degree) in a relevant area of health and social science research Evidence of experience in conducting qualitative research. This should include developing questions for fieldwork (interviews and observations) and surveys, conducting interviews, organising and participating in workshops and data analysis using Nvivo software and Artificial Intelligence tools Proven experience of undertaking a scoping review and ability to write for publication Demonstrable understanding of the CQC (Care Quality Commission) regulated social care sector in the UK An excellent track record of organisational skills, including the ability to collate, organise, and manage data sets with a high degree of self-reliance and coping with and prioritising multiple tasks effectively. Excellent ICT skills and written communication skills Proven ability to work effectively both independently and in a team with academic and non-academic stakeholders Demonstrated ability to respond to feedback and refine deliverables accordingly Desirable: A PhD in a relevant area of health and social science research Experience of working with older adults and in care home settings for older adults Experience in research or knowledge-exchange communications, including through publications, presentations, social media, blogs, or other digital platforms. Extensive experience in conducting fieldwork and surveys Experience of conducting collaborative research with non-academic stakeholders Existing track record of publication, preferably in academic journals Support with your application If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on or email quoting the advert reference number. What's in it for you? At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window). Flexible working We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you. This is a hybrid role, with attendance required on site in Milton Keynes approximately once per quarter (however we do ask for flexibility here in response to business needs). There will also be regular travel required to various care home sites, across Leeds city and city region. Next steps in the Recruitment process Interviews are likely to take place on 22nd January 2026 Early closing date notification We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications. How to apply To apply for this role please submit the following document(s): CV Supporting statement of no more than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential criteria. You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.