Senior Research Associate: 'The Forgotten Ten Percent' Project

About the role

(Part-Time/Indefinite with End Date) Interviews: 24/7/2026 Lancaster University Law School is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate, to work on 'The f orgotten 10%': private family law applications involving non-parents project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation (Principal Investigator: Dr Linda Cusworth). Based in the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, we are looking to appoint a mixed-methods social researcher with an interest in children's social care and/or family justice. Most private family law applications are between two parents, but around 10% involve one or more adults who are not the child's parent, such as grandparents, aunts/uncles and siblings. This 'forgotten 10%' have been overlooked in research, policy and practice. In collaboration with researchers at the University of Bristol, peer researchers, and practice partners Kinship and Families in Harmony, this project will investigate the circumstances, needs and experiences of children and families involved. Further information on the project is available on our website ( www.cfj-lancaster.org.uk/projects/forgotten-ten-percent ). Working as an integral part of the project team, and alongside another researcher based in Bristol, you will be responsible for undertaking qualitative interviews and focus groups, collecting structured data from court case files, and data analysis. You must be willing to travel within the UK, to attend meetings and other events, and to collect data. You should be able to demonstrate a keen interest in the applied focus of the Centre, and will have a PhD in a social science discipline or equivalent experience. Ideally you will have a research background in social work, law, social policy, or another relevant field, and experience in mixed-methods research. You will demonstrate excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and preferably have a knowledge of research ethics. You will contribute to outputs from the project, including research reports and summaries, journal articles, and conference/seminar presentations, for a variety of different audiences, including academics, policymakers, legal and social work practitioners. The post is available at 0.8FTE. You will join us on an indefinite contract however, the role remains contingent on external funding which, at this time is due to come to an end in February 2027 pending further funding to extend. This role is subject to DBS checks. The Centre for Child and Family Justice Research is a successful research centre with a global profile, and we are looking for an individual who wants to be an integral part of this vibrant community. Current sources of funding include the Nuffield Foundation, the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, Economic and Social Research Council, Big Lottery, the Australian Research Council, local and national government. If you would like further information and an opportunity to discuss the role, please contact: Dr Linda Cusworth on ( l.cusworth@lancaster.ac.uk ). Further Details: Job Description Person Specification Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based. Find out what it's like to work at Lancaster University , including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace. The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.

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