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

Terms: Part time - 30 hours per week, fixed-term contract until 28 February 2025

Closing date: 18 July 2024, 12 noon

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.

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. 

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