Research Associate Public Trust in Forensic Science (Research and Knowledge Exchange)

Whilst this role is contractually based in Milton Keynes, the successful applicant will be able to work from home for the majority of the time, with occasional attendance in Milton Keynes as required. Please note that travel expenses to Milton Keynes will not be covered.

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.

The role

We are seeking a research associate to contribute to the Economic and Social Research Council-funded project entitled Trust in forensic science evidence in the criminal justice system: The experience of marginalised groups. The successful candidate will help produce research that will enrich understandings of how the general public and specific marginalised members of the public (dis)trust forensic science evidence, i.e., DNA and digital evidence, and the way it is used in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in an end-to-end, crime scene to courtroom process. They will be part of a project team developing a relationship between charities that support marginalised users, academics and stakeholders involved in the CJS in the UK to consider issues of trust in forensic science. The successful candidate will use their qualitative and quantitative research methods knowledge and skills to capture, analyse and disseminate data to a range of academic and non-academic audiences, as well as working with the project team in maximising the potential for dissemination and engagement. They will be involved in designing and coordinating several knowledge exchange events.

Skills and experience

• A first degree or equivalent in design, psychology, social sciences, forensic science or related subject.
• Experience in and understanding of citizen science / public participation in scientific research as well as engaging with the general public in science or social science
• Experience of design, (e.g., user research, service design, user experience or interaction design and ability to translate research findings to interactive materials for public audience
• Some experience with planning academic knowledge exchange events.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods. 
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Contribute innovative ideas and evidence-based support (literature review) to the project.
• Help manage stakeholder groups and make contributions to stakeholder events by communicating effectively with academics and non-academics.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc. in outlets of international standing.
• Undertake some management/administration arising from research.
• Help deal with the problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.

The full summary of duties and skills required for the role can be found within the Job Description.

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application, please contact Dr. Lara Frumkin, School of Psychology and Counselling, by email at lara.frumkin@open.ac.uk  

What you get in return

We offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term.  Benefits include 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days and an attractive pension proposition. 

How to apply

We are piloting an automated application tracking system (ATS), which will be used more widely imminently.  All applications will now be completed online and there will be no need for you to complete an additional hard copy of the application for employment form.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub by telephone on 01908 655544 or by emailing resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk quoting the vacancy reference 21724.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

Please save your document with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: reference, surname, forename.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

APPLY NOW

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You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal.

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Job related information : 

Attachment	Size
Job Description - Research Associate Public Trust in Forensic Science.docx	137.18 KB

Posting Date :  4 July, 2024 - 15:00