Hours: Full time- 40 hours per week (negotiable)
Location: Carlisle / Cumbria/ Hybrid Working
Gross wage: Between £28,392 and £31,200 (depending on experience)

Contract End: 31st March 2027, however this may be extended by a further 6 months depending on success and funding commitment from CNTW.

Immediate start available

We’re Looking for a passionate community researcher

We have a great opportunity for a Research Associate to join us and be responsible for delivering a research engagement programme across North Cumbria working in partnership with CNTW NHS Trust.

You will be responsible for identifying internal research/ evaluation projects, external research partners and to identify funding opportunities to support projects. The post holder will provide research training, research awareness campaigns, data management and research administrative support, as needed for all projects and activities undertaken.

Join a growing community charity making real impact

We are a fast-growing Carlisle-based charity with a strong local reputation. As our combined experience brands approach our 20-year celebration in 2027, we are entering an exciting new phase of growth and development.

We deliver innovative health and wellbeing programmes that support local people, workplaces, schools and the wider Cumbrian community and we are now looking for the right person to help take our organisation to the next level.

We are proud to be:

• An Age Friendly Employer
• A Disability Confident Employer
• Officially recognised as a Great Place to Work®
• Ranked 55th out of top 100 Great Place to Work® – Best Workplaces for Development Awards 2026- national recognition

About the Role

• To direct overall research engagement programme delivery, provide verbal and written information and support to parties involved in projects and for the duration of their involvement.
• To facilitate all research engagement and evaluation activity by liaising with senior and management colleagues and partners to encourage and support their active involvement.
• To provide supporting information to enable all research and evaluation.
• To lead partners and colleagues to build their understanding of research and increase organisational capacity to undertake successful research and evaluation projects.
• To work independently to successfully deliver all research engagement and evaluation projects.
• To perform research and evaluation on projects in collaboration with external organisations.
• To provide statistical and analytical support to the team and across the organisation. Including providing research input to and collaborating with relevant parties.
• To undertake and lead qualitative research exercises, presenting stakeholder stories to effectively support research activity.
• Undertake any reasonable duties/responsibilities to meet the needs of the organisation.

Hybrid working

You will need to be flexible in your working environment, this may mean working from our centres, CNTW hosted sites, field work and from home.

We will provide suitable working environments when you are hosted from iCan or partners.

Essential Experience & Skills

• A degree or diploma with a substantial research component. Higher degree/formal study of research design and methods in clinical or social settings.
• An understanding of, and commitment to, research about mental health and illness and interventions to promote mental health
• Awareness of the mental health, NHS, public sector system
• Highly developed communication skills, orally and in writing
• Highly developed report writing skills
• Highly developed relationship building skills
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Developed presentational skills
• Developed IT skills including Office 365 and CRM systems
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to undertake CPD as part of your role
• Ability to work individually or within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to manage a high volume, pressured role and seek support when required
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Commitment to the organisations aims and values, supporting and promoting an organisational culture that appreciates compassion, accountability, respect, excellence, and innovation.

Desirable Experience

• Charity, community or wellbeing sector experience
• Knowledge of reporting systems
• Impact reporting experience

Why Join iCan Wellbeing Group?

• Be part of a respected and growing local charity
• Make a genuine difference to community wellbeing
• Flexible and supportive working environment
• Work alongside a passionate, energetic and creative team
• Opportunity to shape and grow a developing role
• Help shape our exciting journey towards celebrating 20 years of impact in 2027

Pay: £28,392.00-£31,157.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Free fitness classes
• Gym membership
• On-site gym
• On-site parking

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)

Experience:

• substantial research component: 1 year (required)
• research design and methods in clinical or social settings.: 1 year (required)
• • Awareness of the mental health, NHS, public sector system: 1 year (required)

Location:

• Carlisle CA2 5SR (preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Carlisle CA2 5SR