Research Practitioner

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a skilled Local Authority Research Practitioner to enhance research capability across the Council and increase the potential for externally funded programmes. Working closely with the Public Health Department and the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN), you will act as a technical specialist and partnership manager to improve the speed, quality, and integration of research in non-NHS settings.

In this influential role, you will lead the promotion of high-quality research methodologies to inform strategies that improve population health. You will provide frameworks, tools, and training to embed an evidence-based approach across the council, helping staff incorporate research into daily practice. Key responsibilities include building capability in qualitative methods and supporting colleagues to embed public health logic models into project planning to ensure a consistent, evidence-driven approach.

The post-holder will be responsible for connecting academic partners with key local authority teams—such as transport, education, and social care—to expand the CRN Public Health portfolio. You will also manage the delivery of CRN activities, including study support and research accrual. Candidates require excellent communication skills, a sound understanding of public health research, and the ability to work autonomously within a local government environment to bridge the gap between academic insight and practical delivery.

The successful applicant will have:

• Degree level education or equivalent, relevant work experience
• Proven teaching and assessing skills
• Proven ability to function as an autonomous practitioner
• Ability to apply current research to practice
• Knowledge of National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), its values, aims and structure
• Experience of working within NHS environment and with service users
• Experience in managing complex information
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information to a wide range of audiences and through a variety if mediums with confidence, empathy and enthusiasm
• Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn