Job Description

Department: Institute for Social Justice


Location: York


Salary: 39,906 to 48,822 per annum pro rata


Contract Duration: 18 months


Hours: 14.8


Closing Date: Tuesday 25 November 2025 at midnight


Interview Date: Monday 15 December 2025


Reference: 189-25

Part time, Fixed term

Location: York

Salary:

39,906 to 48,822 per annum (

15,962 to 19,528

pro rata)

Introduction to York St John University

York St John is an ambitious, modern university at the heart of historic York and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.


As one of the fastest growing universities in the UK over recent years, we have a new strategy for the next decade, emphasising our commitment to widening opportunity through the power of education and contributing our talents to creating a fairer world, and a more prosperous region. We are putting inspirational learning and impactful research at the heart of this strategy, recognising our academic expertise as our greatest asset.

The Institute for Social Justice

The Institute for Social Justice was launched in 2020 to underpin York St John University's mission to 'stand up for social justice'. We do so through developing collaborative research and practice that seeks to identify, expose and address some of the inequalities, injustices and challenges facing society today. At its core, the Institute seeks to work with people, partners and communities in a manner that sees participation, implementation and change as vital parts of its mission.

The role

We are looking for an innovative and skilled researcher to work with the ISJ core team on an 18-month project focused on 'Evidencing University Social Impact'.


York St John University's social impact strategy states that 'through our excellent education and research, we will be a catalyst for change that creates a fair future.' Included within our indicators of success is the need to evidence increased social impact. To do this we need a clear definition of what we mean by social impact and agreed approaches to impact assessment that have both internal and external validity. Through doing this we will also better understand what we are doing well and be able to strategically plan how to push ourselves to do better in the future.


York St John's approach to this is being developed by the Institute for Social Justice. The ISJ intends to do so in a manner that reflects our values and that has strong integrity and stakeholder engagement. To this end we are beginning an 18-month period of research, consultation and design to develop a YSJ bespoke definition and approach to evidencing social impact. This will be done with key stakeholders including: YSJU staff and students, external partners, collaborators and communities.


In developing this YSJ approach we wish to ensure that:

It has strong internal buy-in and integrity; We invest in YSJ capacity and ownership of the approach; We establish opportunities to learn and develop in a way that helps improve practice rather than just measure it.

While leaving scope for our approach to emerge from the period of consultation and co-production, we are likely to be exploring social impact in the domains including research and knowledge exchange; our community, city and region; institutional practices, structures and systems; teaching and learning.


This role is to work with the Director of the ISJ and a cross-university working group to undertake an 18-month period of research and development in order to develop a YSJ bespoke approach to evidencing social impact.

This will include:

Conducting consultation with YSJ stakeholders (internal and external) Desk research into existing models, existing University social impact evidence and possible external benchmarks (e.g. UN SDGs) Design and testing of approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches Development of action orientated insights and impact strategy Publication of results to multiple and appropriate audiences

Required skills and experience

Candidates will have knowledge of various approaches to understanding and evidencing social impact, ideally within the education and HE sector. Candidates should have experience of mixed methods and an awareness of co-productive research methods. We are also interested in creative and alternative approaches to the use of quantitative measures in social/community/education contexts. We are looking for a researcher able to work well with other people and to engage diverse stakeholders with the research process. Candidates should also understand and share the ethos of the Institute for Social Justice and our approach to social, ecological and epistemic justice.

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Matthew Reason (m.reason@yorksj.ac.uk )


For further information about the ISJ visit. www.yorksj.ac.uk/ISJ


We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we may close earlier if we receive a high level of applications.

Application process support

We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.


If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to apply for this position please contact vacancies@yorksj.ac.uk. Within the application form there is an opportunity for you to request a reasonable adjustment at the interview stage of the process, however if you wish to discuss this in further detail at any point in the process please do not hesitate to contact us. The following resource may help you adapt the device you are using to apply to suit your needs My Computer My Way (abilitynet.org.uk)


Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.

Our benefits package

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -

Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants) Pension scheme Health Cash Plan after six months service Employee Assistance Programme Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software Relocation expenses package for certain roles Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and Visa loan scheme for additional costs (if applicable to the role)

Further information about life at YSJ

Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.


Read more about our culture, inclusive community, working arrangements and benefits for York St John employees


Read the latest news, views and stories from our staff and students.


Read more about our commitment to managing and reducing our environmental impact and to promoting sustainable development wherever we can.

Closing Date -

Tuesday 25 November 2025 at midnight

Provisional Interview Date -

Monday 15 December 2025