Research Officer

As an organisation, we pose, and have posed to us, many questions regarding the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions. Data is required to help us answer these, and to inform ongoing policy decisions. For example, topic areas we are or have recently investigated include:

• the impact of Covid-19 on veterinary practice economics
• the professions’ views on remote consulting
• the impact of Brexit on EU graduates working in the UK
• An investigation of disability, chronic illness and related inclusion issues facing the professions.
• retention rates of vets and veterinary nurses and the reasons behind them
• a project to inform efforts to build leadership capacity in the professions
• the professions’ views on the feasibility and safety of veterinary nurse prescribing

We also have two key publications: the Survey of the Professions, which is conducted every four to five years and captures the views of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on a range of topics, and RCVS Facts, which is published annually and collates key regulatory data from across the College.

Anticipated future projects include:

• An evaluation of the impact of our guidance on professional judgement
• A project investigating the views of animal owners and keepers on regulation and quality in veterinary care
• An investigation into complaints received
• A project to map routes in and out of veterinary public health
• follow-up research on disability and inclusion
• an investigation into mental health issues in the professions

The data we gather is varied, including that from consultations, mining our Registers, large-scale surveys of all members, gathering of views from stakeholders, and structured qualitative research.

The role of the Research Officer will be to work with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Research Manager and Senior Research Officer, as well as internal ‘clients’, to understand the real questions being asked, formulate a plan for what and how data should be gathered, and then either work to outsource that research or deliver it in house. Once data is gathered, there will be a requirement for the processing of information in a way that delivers meaningful and insightful reports that we can use to make a difference.

The role would suit someone with an inquiring mind, flexibility of approach and the ability to get things done.

• Working with internal clients (RCVS teams, RCVS Council members, Fellows) to develop robust briefs for market research projects to put out to tender; to support the tendering process; to support the research contracts to delivery and publication.
• Carrying out some research projects in-house from brief to completion, for example, online consultations and surveys, or structured qualitative research projects, ensuring the process is robust and unbiased, and results are delivered in a format that is meaningful.
• Analysing data gathered as part of our day-to-day work, for example from the Registers, feedback forms, quality assessment processes or around our Service Standards, in order to provide statistics for internal and external use or to inform future change. Working with others in the team to write papers based on some of this data for publication in relevant journals.
• Carrying out desk-based research to inform developments in the way we work, for example, into current best practice in a particular area of regulation or Royal College activity.

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject area which includes substantial research methods training (comprising one-third of modules taken).

• Demonstrable experience working in a research environment, including social research, mixed-methods research and evaluation.

• Strong communications skills, especially the ability to listen, understand requirements and translate this into a research framework.
• Knowledge and experience of key research methodologies, and when they should be used.
• The ability to deliver research that is unbiased, well‑structured and answers a specific need.
• Knowledge of commonly used research software (training in the use of RCVS‑preferred software will be available)
• Ability to understand and interrogate existing research data.
• Excellent writing ability, including attention to detail and proof‑reading skills.
• The ability to be a self‑starter, and able to act on own initiative.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to prioritise work across multiple concurrent projects.
• An understanding of professional research ethics, and rules such as the General Data Protection Regulation.

• Membership of the Market Research Society
• Research‑led MSc

• Experience of working with external research consultancies.
• Experience of working in the veterinary or medical sectors
• Experience of working in a regulator, professional body or Royal College