Research Fellow (Behavioural Research and Online Child Safety) at The University of Edinburgh

Part-time: 20 hours per week

Fixed-term: 31^st October 2028

The Opportunity:

Childlight, a global child safety institute, is looking for Research Fellow in Behavioural Research and Online Child Safety to work as part of the Behavioural Research UK Leadership Hub funded by the ESRC, on the “resilient communities” workstream. This workstream aims to understand what behaviour change techniques can be applied to guide evidence-based prevention relating to sustainable and safe transport (particularly reducing speeding) and keeping children safe online in the UK.

You will have experience in key concepts and issues relating to behavioural research to address major societal challenges, including developing or evaluating interventions to change behaviour. You will bring expertise in carrying out qualitative and quantitative behavioural science research, including conducting literature reviews and working with an interdisciplinary research team. Ideally, you will also have experience in working on online child safety.

The post holder will produce findings on behavioural indicators and recommendations for disruption and deterrence of online child sexual exploitation and abuse offending. Results will inform the development of a set of guidelines for influencing behaviours that contribute to normative change around perceptions related to online offending being ‘less harmful’ than contact offending and misinformation in the privacy debates around this issue. Tasks may include conducting rapid systematic reviews of relevant literature, analysing survey data, conducting qualitative research and organising knowledge exchange and public involvement activities.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD (or near completion) in behavioural or social science (or considerable equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with key concepts and issues relating to behavioural research to address major societal challenges.
• Experience of developing or evaluating interventions to change behaviour.
• Experience of investigating or applying evidence, theories and techniques of behaviour change.
• Experience in carrying out qualitative and quantitative behavioural science research.
• Excellent scientific writing skills, with a peer-reviewed publication record commensurate with your career stage.
• A passion for making the world a better place and preventing CSEA, improving services and safeguarding children.