Research Support Officer

Are you a research professional with a desire to work within Public Health and contribute to your local community?

The Council of the Isles of Scilly is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) who understands the Island community.  The post will help embed a culture of research, learning, and evidence‑informed practice across the organisation. This role is funded by, and is part of, the NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health LARP programme, supporting us to become a research‑active, public‑health‑driven authority. This is a fixed term contract for an initial period of 2 years.

Your purpose will be to improve the quality of life for island communities by strengthening how the Council uses evidence and research in decision‑making. Working across directorates, you will champion the use of research, build internal capability, and support the development of systems and partnerships that reduce health and social inequalities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of research culture, capability, and infrastructure across the Council.
• Deliver engagement activities, workshops and communications that highlight how research informs decision‑making.
• Conduct a baseline audit of existing research practice, partnerships, public involvement, and workforce capability.
• Identify barriers and opportunities for research and inform future design, infrastructure and governance.
• Co‑produce a research capacity‑building plan and contribute to developing a central repository of research activity.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities.
• Build collaborative partnerships across local systems, academic, voluntary and statutory sectors.
• Provide guidance, training and advice to colleagues engaging in research.
• Present research findings clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Contribute to national LARP network activity and support evaluation with the Specialist Centre for Public Health.

About You

You will bring a blend of lived experience, professional skill, and academic or practical research capability.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experienced in research methods, evidence appraisal, evaluation and application.
• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation.
• Confident in engaging with senior leaders and influencing decision‑making.
• Experienced in building partnerships across systems and sectors.

Personal Qualities

• Strong analytical skills and ability to handle complex information.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing demands.
• Effective communicator able to influence others.
• Creative problem‑solver with innovative approach.
• Understanding of research ethics, governance and data protection.

Benefits include:

• A generous holiday entitlement starting at 25 days pro rata per annum plus bank holidays
• Employee Benefit scheme including 100s of retail discounts
• Flexitime scheme and flexible working opportunities available
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Active Scilly discount
• Training and development opportunities

For an informal discussion please email katie.ash@cornwall.gov.uk    

To apply, please complete an application form and return to humanresources@scilly.gov.uk before the closing date of 7th April 2026.

Please note, due to funding requirement the person must be able to be in post on, or before the 30th June 2026