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BEHAVIOUR AND RESEARCH
Job Title:
Canine Science / Research Manager
Reporting to:
Director of Canine Behaviour and Research
Location:
London Head Office
Revised:
January 2017
Summary
Dogs Trust is committed to ensuring best practice in Operations, approaches to Training
and Behaviour and Veterinary care for dogs. To achieve this aim, it is important that a
robust and critical approach is taken when evaluating both research evidence and current
activity. In addition the collection and analysis of relevant data, for example in rehoming
centres, is key in ensuring optimum welfare for dogs in our care.
The aim of this position is to manage internal research, using data collected across Dogs
Trust activities, and ensure an evidence based approach to strategic developments within
the charity. This includes reviewing and evaluating research data, managing the collection
and analysis of data for internal research projects and gathering information about best
practice within the sector.
Duties
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Keep up to date with the latest research in canine behaviour, welfare and shelter
medicine.

Assist departments across Dogs Trust in the development of research and in
identifying evidence based best practice
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Analyse data collected within Dogs Trust to inform policy and development
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Assist departments in translating research evidence into accessible forms for
dissemination to staff

Conduct and oversee systemic reviews, and potentially meta-analyses, of existing
literature to inform policy and practice within Dogs Trust

Work with the veterinary and behaviour teams to oversee the evaluation of requests
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by University students for collecting data for undergraduate or postgraduate projects
in centres.

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Liaise with Operations, centre management and behaviour teams regarding
research which requires the use of Dogs Trust facilities.

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development,
management and application of specific research to better define training and
behaviour best practice within Dogs Trust

Work with other departments in Dogs Trust in the development, management of
internal research

Provide support for Operations, Behaviour and Veterinary teams in the assessment
of evidence in policy development to inform the development and evaluation of
SOPs

Assist the marketing teams in the evaluation of audience or consumer research, and
in the commissioning and management of external research agencies

Provide support to Communications, Public Affairs and Campaigns teams in the
development of reports, lay summaries and fact sheets to support their activities

Manage and support the research officer in conducting internal research projects.
Provide support to other members of staff conducting research projects as part of
staff development, for example in working towards professional accreditations.

Publish results of reviews and research in academic and professional journals to
increase the profile of Dogs Trust

Oversee the management of data files, ensuring compliance with Data Protection
laws and internal policies

Ensure that all research is ethical and appropriate ethical review processes are
completed as necessary

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of data
collection methods and measurement systems within Dogs Trust services and
operations

Work with the Head of IT in evaluating future IT requirements for data collection,
storage and reporting

Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of KPIs
for training and behaviour in rehoming centres and Dog School

Present research outcomes at veterinary, academic, clinical behaviour and animal
welfare conferences and meetings to promote the work of Dogs Trust

Be thoroughly familiar with Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and the
policies of Dogs Trust.

Promote the work of Dogs Trust through the media, the public, local vets etc, whilst
always protecting the image of Dogs Trust.
Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after
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assessment of risk are implemented and followed.



Create and manage a knowledge library of published and publically available
research by means of an appropriate system (e.g. Mendelay) to support requests for
evidence
Carry out other reasonable duties
Work with the Veterinary Director as required to inform veterinary research and
policy
Person Specification
The Canine Science / Research Manager will:
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Have a veterinary, animal science, animal behaviour, welfare or similar qualification
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Have postgraduate research qualification, ideally a PhD

Have a good knowledge of research methods, data collection techniques, data
handling, questionnaire development, statistical analysis (ideally including
multivariable modelling) and reporting of research results.

Be experienced in managing staff and / or supervising students in conducting
research
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Have previous experience of conducting research independently
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Have expertise in conducting systemic reviews and / or meta-analysis
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Be confident in presenting the results of research to academic, professional and lay
audiences

Have excellent written communication skills, and be able to put together accessible
lay summaries or reviews of research results

Be passionate about developing research that has clear applied benefits for canine
welfare
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Have good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team
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Be able to inspire others about the importance and value of research and data
collection
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Be empathetic and able to mentor other staff and students in the development of
research skills

Be able to work independently, be organised and able to develop and prioritise his
or her own workload.

Be willing to travel to UK and international sites of Dogs Trust activity to organise
and manage the set-up and running of research projects.
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Be computer literate with knowledge of statistical packages for data analysis,
MSWord and Powerpoint for writing reports and presentations, and ideally
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databases for data handling and reporting. .
Must possess a full manual UK driving licence
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