Research Practitioner Full Time

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.

About You

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.

Related Documents

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