Research Fellow - Impact Training and Capacity Building Lead

About us

The Policy Institute at King’s College London works to solve society’s challenges with evidence and expertise. We combine the rigour of academia with the agility of a consultancy and the connectedness of a think tank. The Institute is an exciting, fast-moving environment for a motivated and quick-learning applicant looking to pursue a career in policy research. Our team spans a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, and our work draws on the skills, expertise and resources of not only the institute, but the university and its wider network too.

Our research is complemented by extensive communications, impact, education and engagement activities.

Alongside delivering our own programme of research, engagement and communications activities, the Policy Institute works collaboratively with colleagues across the university to support the wider impact of King’s research. This includes collaborating on research projects, but also providing training, advice and resources on engaging with the policy landscape and building impact in to research.

Reporting to the Policy Institute’s Director of Research (Alex Pollitt), this role aims to expand and enhance the institute’s ability to support colleagues across the university in increasing the (policy) impact of King’s research. In addition to increasing the capacity of the team to deliver support, the post-holder will strategically expand, refine and coordinate our current approaches to better meet the needs identified across the university.

The postholder will be expected to have a good understanding of current and emerging approaches to policy translation and impact, as well as the ability to consult across the university to assess need and explore options for developing a coordinated programme of support.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract until 31 July 2029.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research & Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to & including grade
7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

• Strong understanding of the role of research evidence in creating societal impact (in particular through policy)
• PhD qualified in relevant subject area
• Practical experience in delivering research impact
• Experience of developing and delivering workshops and training courses for a range of audiences
• Experience working in a policy-related role
• Excellent written and oral communication, including the ability to adapt for, and work effectively with, people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Excellent organisational skills, time management, and ability to work independently using initiative as appropriate

• Demonstrable research skills in some of the approaches/methods relevant to the institute’s work
• Experience in developing impact-related programmes or strategies
• Experience in identifying and winning funding for impact-related work

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive & collaborative, are great strengths of the university.