Senior Research and Development Officer (Adults)

Job Description

Senior Research and Development Officer (Adults)

Location : Hybrid Working from Devon TQ12 or Sheffield S1 Offices or Home based within UK for the right Candidate

Salary : £32,684 per annum, pro rata

Contract : Fixed term for 18 months, with the potential to extend

Hours : 28 hours per week

About Us

Research in Practice is part of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) family.  For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.

We work with and for professionals in the social care, health, criminal justice and higher education sectors offering resources, learning opportunities and specialist expertise.

Research in Practice works with organisations across the adults and children’s social care, health and criminal justice sectors, supporting them to develop an evidence-informed approach to their work. Our focus is on using evidence from research, practice and lived experience, to provide resources that improve policy and services, in order to achieve positive outcomes for people of all ages.

About You and the Role

Research in Practice has been enabling evidence-informed practice for and with the adults sector since 2005, and the children and families sector since 1996. This role is focused on the adults sector aspect of Research in Practice.

Research in Practice brings together research evidence, practice wisdom and expertise from people’s lived experience. We do this by interpreting the latest research evidence, working with professionals across the sector to share practice wisdom, and listening to people with lived experience. We then work with experts to create learning opportunities and resources on relevant topics; tailored to the needs of individuals and organisations.

We are looking for a Senior Research and Development Officer who is passionate about evidence-informed practice to join our adult's team. The role demands a strong understanding of research and policy, and the ability to translate complex evidence into accessible learning materials. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential as is the ability to build collaborative relationships across and within organisations. Experience in co-production, research mobilisation, or working within academic or policy environments is valued.

The Senior Research and Development Officer leads a small team of committed Research and Development Officers developing and delivering high-quality learning resources in various formats. The post holder is responsible for scoping, commissioning, writing, editing, and quality assurance, and plays a key role in income generation through tenders and bids.

The role requires strong facilitation and delivery skills and experience designing and delivering workshops, webinars, and events for a range of audiences, including senior leaders. The successful candidate will be confident presenting, chairing, and leading sector-wide discussions.

Applications close at 08 : 00am on Friday 24th October 2025.

Assessment and interviews to be conducted on Monday 10th November 2025.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.

No agencies please.