Research Manager

About TASO

The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes (TASO) is an affiliate What Works Centre, and part of the UK Government’s What Works Movement. Our aim is to help eliminate equality gaps in higher education (HE) through evidence-informed practice. 

TASO was set up in 2019 and became an independent charity in April 2021. Our work focuses on the generation, synthesis and dissemination of high-quality evidence about effective practice to widen access and participation in higher education and improve student outcomes. We primarily focus on developing and disseminating findings from impact evaluations and implementation and process evaluations and encourage the sector to do the same by providing HE professionals access to research, toolkits, guidance and more.

The Role

The Research Manager will join our Research and Evaluation (R&E) team. The post-holder will be responsible for managing multiple research projects and evaluation initiatives and contribute to team and project development.

Responsibilities include:

• Scoping and designing new research projects and impact evaluations in collaboration with higher education providers (with a particular focus on RCTs and quasi-experimental evaluation designs)
• Developing theory of change models and evaluation plans for interventions run by higher education providers.
• Managing research and evaluation projects in collaboration with multiple external organisations.
• Review evaluation protocols, study plans, statistical analysis plans and research and evaluation reports.
• Commissioning of external research and evaluation projects and collaborating with external partners e.g. research agencies, evaluation consultancies, or specialist academic advisors. 
• Overseeing funded projects, ensuring delivery to timelines, value for money for TASO, and timely and proactive risk assessment and mitigation.
• Conducting desk-based research, reviewing existing literature to synthesise the quality of evidence on a given topic, and collating examples of sector good practice.
• Contributing to practical evaluation guidance and tools to support practitioners within universities and colleges to better evaluate the activities and programmes they deliver.
• Planning and delivering external training courses on evaluation and presenting research during workshops and other stakeholder engagement events.
• Developing TASO’s relationships with key stakeholders in the higher education sector. 

Conditions of Appointment and Benefits

• Remuneration: £43,000 - £45,000 per annum
• Location: Central London/hybrid with the expectation that the post holder will be in the office two days a week, plus some office-based project meetings. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
• Term: Permanent. Full-time, 35 hours per week.
• Annual Holiday - 27 days per year, plus public/bank holidays and a day off for your birthday.
• Pension Scheme - TASO will contribute 8% to your pension.
• Flexible working - We are committed to flexible working where possible, with core hours of 10am - 4pm.
• Training and Development - Systematic performance reviews, personalised learning and development objectives and access to a training and development fund plus team training days.
• Wellbeing - Free Employee assistance programme which offers webinars, courses and counselling sessions. A yearly personal wellbeing budget.

How to apply

For more information on the role, personal specification and how to apply please click on the 'Apply' button above.

We encourage interested candidates to inquire please email info@taso.org.uk to request a call.

Deadline for applications: 23:59, Wednesday 12^th February. Interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place between 3^rd- 7^th March.

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