Job reference REQ00000020021 Date posted 18/05/2026 Application closing date 01/06/2026 Location CARLISLE Salary £38,220-£39,152 per annum Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank
Job description
Salary: £38,220-£39,152 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Carlisle
Contract: Fixed term until 30 th December 2028
About this opportunity
Cumberland Council is looking for a Research Culture Officer to play a key role in strengthening how research, evidence and learning are understood, valued and used across the organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how evidence and research are embedded in decision‑making, build staff capability, and strengthen partnerships with academic and system partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation and delivery of the staff research culture programme.
- Develop and manage a Community of Researchers and associated CPD offer.
- Strengthen staff research capability through training, secondments, and academic opportunities.
- Build partnerships with universities and external organisations to support placements and research activity.
- Improve access to research resources, tools, and evidence across the council.
- Monitor and evaluate research capacity, capability, and impact.
- Lead internal communications to support cultural change and promote opportunities.
- Collaborate with partners across health, academia, and the voluntary sector.
- Promote the HDRC and its objectives internally and externally.
This is not a traditional research role. Instead, we are looking for someone who is people‑focused, proactive and collaborative, with a real enthusiasm for building relationships and working alongside colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds to help embed a positive, inclusive research culture within the council.
Internal secondments will also be considered for this role.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation’s core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.
We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.
Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.
Contact
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Mike Siddall by email at mike.siddall@cumberland.gov.uk
Guaranteed Interviews
We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.
- Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
- Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
- Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).
Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments
We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.
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