Research Associate – Advanced Quantitative Social Sciences

Research Associate – Advanced Quantitative Social Sciences: (Company Name - Subscribers only)

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to quantitative data management, analysis, visualisation and reporting as part of the UKRI-funded Gambling Harms Research UK Evidence Centre (‘the Centre’). The postholder will support the Centre’s evidence-generation activities through the analysis of existing and newly generated datasets, producing high-quality and responsive research outputs that address the Centre’s priorities and evidence needs. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying and investigating under-researched or neglected topics relating to gambling harms and responses to them, generating publications and analytical outputs that advance understanding and inform policy and practice. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals, as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project/disciplinary area as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the Centre’s deliverables and research strategy, with particular responsibility for quantitative data management, analysis and reporting.

2. Manage, prepare, document and analyse quantitative datasets from a range of sources, ensuring data quality, reproducibility and compliance with relevant governance and ethical requirements.

3. Undertake statistical analyses and produce data visualisations, reports, briefings and academic publications that address the Centre’s evidence needs and research priorities.

4. Identify under-researched or emerging topics relating to gambling harms and responses to them, and develop analyses that generate novel insights and contribute to the evidence base.

5. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

6. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the (Company Name - Subscribers only)/the Centre, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

7. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with gambling harms and related subject areas, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.

8. Present work at international and national conferences, and at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.

9. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.

10. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic, policy and third-sector partners).

11. Take a leading role in Centre meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

12. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

13. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the Centre and School, including budgets/expenditure and data-management activities.

14. Contribute as appropriate to teaching activities (e.g. seminars, quantitative methods training, etc.) and associated administration, as may be assigned through the School in consultation with your line manager.

15. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in quantitative social science methods, data science approaches and gambling harms research.

16. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

17. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School, including contributing analytical support to other Centre activities as required.

18. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in Sociology, Social Policy, Public Health, Economics, Health Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Psychology or another relevant social science discipline, with clear evidence of a strong quantitative component, including use of advanced statistical techniques, plus a track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment; or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions in quantitative social science research and research relating to gambling or closely related fields.

A3 Well-developed working knowledge of quantitative research methods, statistical analysis, data management, data visualisation and relevant software and programming environments used in social science research.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.

C2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.

C3 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.

C4 Effective organisational skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities, including responding flexibly to emerging analytical priorities.

C5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

C6 Demonstrable ability to manage, analyse and interpret complex quantitative datasets and communicate findings clearly to academic, policy and non-specialist audiences.

C7 Proficiency in relevant quantitative analysis software and/or programming languages (including R/Stata/Python or equivalent).

C8 Ability to work collaboratively across a multidisciplinary research environment and respond flexibly to evolving analytical and evidence needs.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of data stewardship of large complex national surveys/datasets, conducting complex data management of a range of data sources and producing public facing documentation and support tools.

E2 Experience, outside of taught degree, of conducting complex analytical analysis to a high quality, using a range of advanced statistical or modelling techniques such as multi-level models, Bayesian approaches, latent variable models or Markov models etc.

E3 Experience, outside of taught degree, of working with and analysing complex survey, including longitudinal datasets and administrative data.

E4. Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.

E5 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.

E6 Experience of producing high-quality analytical outputs.

E7 Experience of preparing research findings for publication and dissemination to a range of audiences.

E8 Experience of inclusive research design, including working with people with lived experience to inform and co-produce research.

E9 Experience of producing policy-relevant quantitative analyses, evidence syntheses, dashboards, visualisations or briefing materials for non-academic audiences.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.

F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.

F3 Experience of research relating to gambling harms or other closely aligned fields.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Heather Wardle on Heather.Wardle@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding for up to 2 years from start date.

The (Company Name - Subscribers only) has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: .

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University .

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community .

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Closing Date: 10 September 2026 at 23:45