Local Authority Research Practitioner

Full time – 37 hours – Fixed term for 23 months

We’re looking for a proactive and skilled Research Practitioner to join our Public Health team in a joint role across Reading and West Berkshire Councils, part-funded by the NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape and strengthen the use of research in local government and help address health inequalities through evidence-driven policy and practice.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the Role:
This unique role offers the chance to influence how local authorities use research to inform service delivery, public health initiatives, and community engagement. You’ll lead on designing and managing research projects, advising on methodology and ethics, supporting workforce development, and building relationships with academic institutions, NHS partners, and community stakeholders.

Your work will directly contribute to building research capacity, integrating evidence into Council policy, and promoting inclusive, co-produced research that reflects the voices of under-represented communities.

Key responsibilities:

• Champion a culture of research and evaluation within both councils.
• Support the Public Health team and wider workforce to become research-active.
• Develop partnerships with universities, the NHS, and NIHR infrastructure.
• Advise on research design, governance, ethical approval, and dissemination.
• Engage communities in research using inclusive and creative methods.
• Promote the use of data and evidence to tackle health and social inequalities.
• Identify research funding opportunities and support bid development.
• Deliver research training and support capacity building across services.

About you:
We’re seeking someone with a strong foundation in research, ideally educated to postgraduate level or with equivalent experience in conducting robust qualitative and quantitative research. You’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of research methodologies, project evaluation, and evidence mobilisation, whether gained through academic work, public sector roles, or healthcare settings.

Equally important are your communication and collaboration skills. You’ll be confident engaging with a range of stakeholders—from council officers and NHS partners to universities and community groups—translating complex research into accessible insights. You’ll also be comfortable presenting findings in written reports and presentations, tailoring your approach to suit diverse audiences.

This role requires someone who is highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities. You’ll bring a keen eye for detail, a commitment to ethical research practices, and a passion for using evidence to drive social change. If you’re enthusiastic about using research to influence public policy and reduce health inequalities, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Martin White – Consultant in Public Health at martin.white@reading.gov.ukfor more information.

Closing Date: Monday 25th August 2025
Interview Date: TBC

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.